About Our Authors

Award-winning graphic designer Gayle Homes Martin became an author in 2005 when she published her first book, Anna’s Kitchen: a Compilation of WWII Ration Recipes You Can Create in Your Kitchen Today.

"I was such a smart-alec at the time," said Martin. "Being a graphic designer, I thought it would be easy, but it turned out to be a real learning experience, and I wanted to learn more."

In 2006 Gayle wrote Gunfight at the O.K. Corral: Luke and Visit Tombstone, the first installment in her Luke and Jenny series of historical novels for young readers. Published by Five Star Publications, Inc., Gunfight at the O.K. Corral was an Honorable Mention at 2007 Hollywood Book Festival. Gayle published the second book in the series, Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War, a Luke and Jenny Adventure in 2007. It would be a finalist in the 2007 Indie Book Awards for Excellence. The final book in the series, Riding with the James Gang, was published in 2010.

After completing the Luke and Jenny series Gayle switched genres in 2011 and began writing contemporary romance under the name Marina Martindale.

"With the success of Luke and Jenny I was ready to create more complex characters and storylines and write for adult readers,” says Martin. "Linda Radke at Five Star Publications was a wonderful mentor and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. However, the time had come for me to start up my own publishing company."

Gayle founded Good Oak Press, LLC., in 2011 and published her debut romance novel, The Reunion, as Marina Martindale. Like Martin, Gillian Matthews, the leading lady, was also artist.

"Gillian was what I imagined my life might have been like had I become a painter instead of a graphic designer and writer. I love creating conflicted characters. I think they're more like the people we meet in real life. I also like the complexity of romance. It's an opportunity to delve into the human condition and try to understand why we make the choices we make."

"People often tell me my characters seem so real, and that once they start reading, they can't put the book down. To me, that's the best compliment you could ever give of a novel writer."

When Gayle isn't writing she enjoys music, photography and traveling.