"I have drawn a good deal on my own upbringing and background for my writing. Readers of Rachel's Legacy and Ellie's Inheritance have some very good clues as to where, when and how I grew up.

"I was born and raised in New York City and in many ways led the life of an over-protected girl from a well-to-do Jewish family. Rachel of Rachel's Legacy is based loosely on my mother, who came to this country from Russia as a child, around the turn of the century. She worked in sweatshops in the garment district and by dint of extremely hard work, became a designer of children's clothing and the partial owner (with my father, her sister and brother-in-law) of a very successful business. Their line consisted exclusively of white dresses for special occasions. 'Getting out the line' was a phrase we heard constantly in our house.

"I...