Over 35 years in the field of education have given Mrs. Durrett insight and knowledge about American families, their inner turmoil, instability and resilient structure. Living in the mid-west has exposed Rita to individuals as unique and inspirational as the land they come from. Bits and pieces of each of these myriad of personalities help her to create memorable characters that come alive on the page and grab at your heartstrings. Rita resides in Elk City, Oklahoma. She is a mother of two sons and grandmother of five young boys and one little girl.