Kristina Wenzl-Figueroa

Tina Maurine is the gal on the sidelines at the party. The gal who smiles at everyone, but waits to initiate conversation until she feels comfortable- then she'll talk your ear off. She's never the center of attention, but always taking notes on those who are. She loves watching people, their authentic responses to everyday occurrences and in turn has turned years of notes into fodder for her stories, an encyclopedia of emotions and character traits that come to life on the page. Tina never feels more alive than when she's creating; be it stories, music, characters on stage, graphic art, or painting rocks and canvases with her daughter. She is blessed to be fulfilling her passion in the form of writing novels, screenplays for the big screen. and acting. She loves the process of submersing herself into new personas and identities she's created. Tina Maurine is a wife, mom, best-friend, secretary, teacher, cheerleader, house-straightener, chef, chauffeur, video game playing, Barbie doll dressing domestic multi-tasker. She likes her French baguettes crispy, her beer dark, and her chocolate even darker. She lives in Oregon with her amazing husband of thirteen years and their two beautiful children. Prior to marriage and kids, she served eight years in the United States Navy and saw the world. She and her husband share their love for travel with their kids, and take as many family trips as their busy schedules allow. When they aren't hitting the road or the skies, and when she isn't teaching, Tina can be found with her keyboard, writing.