Lisa Wanttaja

A self-described Air Force Brat, Lisa Wanttaja started writing science fiction and monster stories in elementary school. Living in a number of states, as well as the Philippines, gave her the chance to observe a variety of people and ways of life, and these experiences provided a valuable foundation for her writing. The sciences have always held a fascination for her, as evidenced by her "day jobs" as a veterinary technician, clinical laboratory assistant, and environmental chemist. She frequently draws on her science background in her writing and readily admits to a love of science thrillers, bad sci-fi films and B-movie monsters.

A member and former chapter president of Romance Writers of America, Lisa was a finalist in the RWA's prestigious Golden Heart contest for unpublished writers. Her first novel, Buffalo Gal, a 'runaway bride/ranch story with UFOs', was a November 1998 release by Harlequin Superromance and was published under her maiden name, Lisa McAllister.

Buffalo Gal was inspired by Lisa's visits to North Dakota with her husband, Ron, a native of that state. Many of the people and events in the book are based on their experiences there.

Her second book as Lisa McAllister, The Baby Season, also set in North Dakota, is a March 2005 release for Harlequin American Romance.

Relatively settled now, Lisa lives in the Pacific Northwest with Ron, who is also an author, and a variable number of cats.