Becke Turner grew up in the bustling small town of Salem, Illinois—population eight thousand and full of charm. 🏩 She spent her childhood riding her horse 🐎 through town streets and winding country trails, adventures that sparked her lifelong love of animals and the outdoors.
During her freshman year at the University of Miami, her plan to become a veterinarian unexpectedly veered off course. Her parents shipped her horse to campus…but not her car 🚗. To fund taxi rides to the stables, she launched a work-for-hire writing business. For five bucks, any pass/fail English student could buy a paper guaranteed to pass—and none were ever returned. ✍️
While she dutifully tackled required reading 📚, Becke devoured stories by Zane Grey, Marguerite Henry, and Jack London. 🐾 Then a Julie Garwood historical romance changed her world. Enthralled, she drafted her first manuscript on a borrowed manual typewriter while her toddler son crawled at her feet. That moment planted the seed for the sweet, small-town romances she writes today—stories full of hope, humor, and second chances.
After earning her nursing degree in St. Louis, Becke worked in acute care at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and The Ohio State University Medical Center. Her career expanded into Medicare policy development, building programs designed to improve diagnostics and prevent fraud. 💼 She later joined IBM Watson Health to refine and expand these initiatives. In 2017, she retired from healthcare to write full time. ✍️
Today, Becke lives in Blythewood, South Carolina, with her high school sweetheart of more than fifty years. 💕 They share two grown children—a pilot for American Airlines✈️ and a Certified Nurse Midwife🩹and five wonderful grandchildren who keep their home lively and full of joy.
When she’s not writing about the tight-knit towns and heart-tugging romances her readers love, she’s probably updating Tucker’s weekly antics for her Totally Tucker blog, planning her next book signing, sipping something cold after a kayak session, or dreaming up a new fictional couple who deserve a happily-ever-after.
Becke’s Passions
Animals 🐎🐶
Her love for animals runs deep—from horseback adventures to earning her professional dog-grooming certification in Dallas at age 27.
Cowgirl Life 🤠
Becke spent four years running her family’s cattle ranch, staring down one-ton bulls 🐂 and watchful mama cows. Those years lend authenticity (and a few scars) to her rancher romances.
Fitness Enthusiast 🏋
Swimming, kayaking, biking, skiing—if it moves, Becke’s probably tried it. She’s known for healthy recipes with the occasional indulgent dessert. 🍰
Medicine & the Human Body 🩹
Her fascination with anatomy and physiology not only shaped her nursing career but also informs her emotionally rich, deeply human stories.
Occupations Over the Years
🐼 Certified Dog Groomer
🐎 Horse Trainer
🐂 Rancher
💼 Medicare Policy Coordinator / Healthcare Data Analyst
🩹 Registered Nurse
✍️ Writer
