Ralph N. Laughlin grew up in the Midwest. Upon graduating from the University of Iowa's School of Journalism, he joined the General Electric Advertising & Public Relations department. During his career, he went on to work for a number of Fortune 500 companies. Upon retirement, he turned his writing talents to pleasure, publishing five books on various subject ranging from motivational, to thought provoking, to humorous relief. <p/> Ann E. Johnson lives in Maine and writes historical fiction and fantasy. She has received awards for her fiction at the Ocean Park Writers Conference. Ann is retired and spends her days writing, researching, or training in the martial arts of swords, staff, tai chi, karate, and jiu jitsu. She began martial arts to enhance her writing and stayed because she found she loved it.