Lee was born in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains at Cranks Creek, in Harlan, Kentucky. She later moved to Knox County where she attended Dowis Chapel Elementary School, Reese Middle School, and Knox Central High School.
Her Appalachian Mountain novels are Appalachian Sunrise, The Long Road Home, Innocent Heart, and Banjo on My Knee. She also has a collection of short stories titled Good Country People, and a western historical romance, Sweet Deception.
Lee has a B.A in English and Grammar from California State University, Long Beach. Having lived in Kentucky, Washington, DC, and California, she now lives in Portland, Oregon.
