T. Donna Robison

I was born in Bucharest, Romania. Five days after my fourteenth birthday, I boarded the Orient Express train at Bucharest's North Station, and left Tati, my father, on the platform. It was supposed to be a visit to the free Occident, to a country known at the time as West Germany. Unforeseen circumstances would bring me to the United States of America some ten months later.

Although my English was limited at the time--I had studied German and French during my elementary school years back in Romania--I started High School in Southern California by enrolling in all honors classes. Three years later, I graduated with honors. Among my most cherished awards is the Presidential Academic Fitness Award signed by President Ronald Reagan. I continued my studies at U.S.C., majoring in piano performance.

After my two children were born in consecutive years, I followed my heart and pursued a legal degree, obtaining my Juris Doctor degree from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento in 1994, and received the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. My legal career began as a judicial research attorney, then as a Deputy District Attorney, subsequently as a defense attorney, and most rewarding, as an estate planning attorney.

Writing my memoir titled No Kiss Goodbye: An Unforeseen Journey was of utmost importance. I wanted to tell my story of growing up under communism and how fortunate I consider myself to have escaped, although it meant leaving behind everything I knew and everyone I loved. These unique circumstances taught me to love God, to treasure liberty and personal freedoms above all else, and to never look back.

I now reside in Florida with my adoring husband and our playful and super smart toy poodle. Being cruise enthusiasts, we sail at any opportunity to any destination. When I'm not writing or keeping up with the law, I still play my piano, prepare gourmet entrees, and stay fit by running and kickboxing.

If you'd like to know anything at all about cruising, feel free to drop me a line.