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Karen Van Der Zee

Windela Kilmer (b. May 26, 1947 in Holland) is a popular globetrotting writer of over 33 romance novels since 1979 as Karen Van der Zee. She also signed two novels as Mona Van Wieren and she received a RITA for Rhapsody in Bloom.

Windela Kilmer born on May 26, 1947 in Holland. She grew up with her brothers, while she dreamed about visiting the exotic places that read in their books. she earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Rutgers University and went on to pursue a master's in animal health and welfare from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. After completing her studies, she worked as a research assistant for the World Wildlife Fund and then as an international consultant for conservation projects in Ecuador, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, India, and the Philippines.

Van de Zee's passion for animal welfare began in childhood when, as a 7-year-old, she attended an equestrian event in Pennsylvania. This experience sparked an interest in animals that she carried over into adulthood and which has since driven the direction of her life. As a young adult, she founded an animal-care clinic in Costa Rica, helping many animals in need. She has also trained veterinarians in Latin America, India, South East Asia and Africa.

In 2001, Van de Zee founded the Karen Van de Zee Foundation, which focuses on animal health and welfare and sustainable agriculture. The foundation works to provide education for veterinarians and farmers on the importance of animal welfare, to raise funds to support animal welfare initiatives, and to collaborate with other organizations to develop animal welfare policies. The foundation has worked to reduce bullfighting in Mexico and to create humane animal shelters in Guatemala.

Over the years, Van de Zee has worked with the Humane Society of the United States, Friends of Animals, the World Society for the Protection of Animals, the Global Animal Partnership, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Additionally, she is a founding member of the International Species Information System and has served on the board of directors of The Nature Conservancy and the Costa Rican NGO, Mundo Azul.

Karen Van de Zee's dedication to animal welfare has made tangible differences in the lives of countless animals and their caretakers around the world. Her career and initiatives emphasize the importance of promoting animal welfare on a global scale. She is a true leader in the animal welfare movement and a role model for those looking to make an impact in the industry.

Bibliography

As Karen Van der Zee

Single Novels

• Sweet Not Always (1979)
• Love Beyond Reason (1980)
• Secret Sorrow (1981)
• Waiting (1982)
• Going Underground (1982)
• One More Time (1983)
• Soul Ties (1984)
• Pelangi Haven (1985)
• Staying Close (1985)
• Time for Another Dream (1986)
• Fancy Free (1986)
• Shadows on Bali (1988)
• Hot Pursuit (1988)
• Brazilian Fire (1989)
• Java Nights (1990)
• Kept Woman (1991)
• The Imperfect Bride (1991)
• Something in Return (1992)
• Passionate Adventure (1993)
• Making Magic (1993)
• A Love Untamed (1994)
• Captive in Eden (1994)
• Fire and Spice (1995)
• The Other Man (1995)
• An Inconvenient Husband (1996)
• Marriage Shy (1996)
• Hired Wife (1999)
• A Wife to Remember (1999)
• Rand's Redemption (2001)
• Midnight Rhythms (2003)
• The Italian's Seduction (2005)

As Mona Van Wieren

Single novels

• Rhapsody in Bloom (1989)
• A Prince Among Men (1992)

Awards

• Rhapsody in Bloom by Mona Van Wieren: 1990 Rita Awards Best Novel winner