About the Author

Joanie Lindenmeyer is a former Catholic nun and retired teacher and coach who enjoys playing and watching sports, traveling, fishing, gardening, playing guitar, listening to music, hiking and walking, baking treats and hanging out with family and friends. Filled with joy and hope, she believes Jesus is her best friend. In 1982, she met Carol Tierheimer and they married on August 5, 2020.Raised in San Diego, California, she taught Physical Education and Health in public high school for 25 years, after teaching Religion and P.E. for four years in Catholic elementary schools. She coached boys and girls sports teams for 20 years.Joanie worked at two nonprofits and a county Department of Health in areas of community health, addictions, teen pregnancy, sexuality, child abuse prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention, STI testing and counseling, and wellness. A San Diego State University graduate, she was a member of the university volleyball team and has a California teaching credential. She was a Catholic Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, ministering in many ways. Her dedication shines to people of all ages, making their lives brighter, happier and healthier. She was committed to her one and only, lifetime lover and spouse of 40 years and is a recent widow. Joanie and Carol Tierheimer began writing Nun Better: An AMAZING Love Story together in the Brookings, Oregon home they shared for 31 years. Carol Tierheimer was a former Catholic nun who devoted her life's work to spreading the joy and peace of Jesus while dedicating her heart and soul to her 40-year lovefest with Joanie Lindenmeyer.Carol loved the majestic beauty of Mother Nature, as well as wearing bright clothes, singing, dancing and embarking on adventures, near and far, with Joanie.Raised in Los Angeles, California, Carol graduated from St. Mary's Academy as a "blue tie" and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ), Los Angeles Providence. Then Sister Veronica Joseph (Carol) enthusiastically began ministry in elementary education. With her love of music and exceptional talent, she learned and taught guitar plus she developed youth folk groups in parishes and schools including Del Mar, Sonoma, and the Valley. Missioned to Lewiston, Idaho, St. Stanislaus Parish, she provided Adult Ed, RCIA, home-bound visitations, liturgy planning and marriage annulments, and served as the "parish Sister" where she did everything but say the Mass. Hand in hand with the Jesuit priests, she made a huge impact for all. She moved to Aberdeen, Washington as a parish sister and then Portland, Oregon, where she was the Jesuit Volunteer Regional Director for Alaska. In Brookings, she worked at South Coast Employment Center.Carol earned her Master's Degree from Fairfield University in Psychology, Counseling and Spirituality, her true gifts. She visited and cared for people in all kinds of situations, needs and circumstances. She was never too busy for a friend and everyone was her friend. Joy, confidence, and love were her daily devotions to all, from bishops to beggars. Carol loved and encouraged everyone to be their best. In 1982, she met Joanie Lindenmeyer and they married on August 5, 2020. Together they grew more in love with each other and life. Throughout Carol's life, she devoted herself to helping people to be their "very best self" through her kindness, compassion and joy. This devotion was evident in her actions, jobs and the myriad of organizations she was a part of. People witnessed her humility, wisdom and intuition through her personal relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Carol lived by Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." After Carol went to heaven on January 30, 2022, a rose garden was planted and continues to bloom in memory of her joyous, happy spirit in the front yard of the home she shared with Joanie for 31 years. Elizabeth Ann Atkins is a best-selling author, award-winning TV host, actress, and journalist who teaches how to unlock one's infinite potential to live and love in peace and purpose. Elizabeth's and sister Catherine M. Greenspan created Two Sisters Writing & Publishing, which has written and published 32 memoirs, novels, business books, poetry books, and journals since its creation in 2016.The company also hosts monthly writing contests and the Two Sisters Writing Club, and showcases their blog, A Tale of Two Sisters. Elizabeth and Catherine have written and published dozens of books, including their mother's book, The Triumph of Rosemary: A Memoir, by Judge Marylin E. Atkins. Their mother wrote the book herself, chronicling her controversial, interracial marriage to former Roman Catholic Priest Thomas Lee Atkins. Elizabeth has a master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Michigan.She has been a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, NPR, and many other programs. As America's Book Coach, she helps aspiring authors achieve their dreams of becoming published authors.The bestselling author of 40 books, Elizabeth also co-hosts MI Healthy Mind, a weekly TV show aiming to shatter the stigma of mental illness, addiction, and abuse. Elizabeth's new book, The Biss Tribe: Activating Your Goddess Power, inspired her popular podcast/YouTube show, The Goddess Power Show.She is also a certified meditation teacher and wellness advocate.

Reviews

"I have been fortunate enough to know Joanie and Carol and witness firsthand the love and devotion that they had for each other during Carol's earthly life. Their relationship makes me think of a famous passage from St. Paul's letter to the church in Galatia: "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things." (Chapter 5, verses 22-23) - The Rev. Bernie Lindley, VicarSt. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Brookings, Oregon

"I first met Carol and Joanie in 1993... when I was 26 years old... I was immediately inspired by not only their sense of adventure, but that they were leading the adventurous life that so many of us just speak of. Every step of their adventures was wrapped in joy!Individually they are powerful. Carol, inquisitive and caring, Joanie, curious and effervescent. Together they were continually unstoppable in their quest of adventure and their seeking of an understanding of the world at large and the people they met. A literal force of caring and curiosity!Now, almost 30 years later, I recognize Carol and Joanie as not only dear friends, but my personal life heroes. Spiritually centered, open minded, with an unmatched capacity in their hearts for love. Their ability to deeply listen and care... for each other, for friends and family, and everyone they meet, is remarkable. I have been so lucky to have them as role models in my life... and I am so excited that Joanie, guided by Carol, is able to share this in her writings. Her stories are uplifting and will provide a focus of joy... and adventure!"- Daniel Perry Walkup, FounderBookStayHop, Vacation Reservation Management
"Having had the privilege and pleasure of experiencing this relationship firsthand, I think everyone should read this book. Joanie and Carol's example of deep love and commitment will make you laugh, cry and inspire you to be a better person. How these two could get into (and out of) their life situations is unexplainable... unless you believe in a Higher Power who, having his or her hands full with these two, chuckled and just made the best of it." - Peter and Kathleen Spratt "Nun Better: An AMAZING Love Story is a heartwarming love story about trailblazing and allowing love to prevail against all odds. The stories shared in this book helped me overcome an internal conflict between my sexual orientation and faith-a source of great stress and personal insecurity in the past. The bravery and courage these two demonstrated through their love and commitments to each other is astounding. This is a remarkable story about leaping over societal, religious, and conventional hurdles, all in the name of love." - Dalton Bradbury