H.L. Stephens grew up in beautiful Charleston, SC with its wild marshlands and pristine white beaches as the backdrop of her many childhood adventures. Growing up in a military family, Stephens had the benefit of meeting people from all over the world who shared the richness of their cultural diversity with her from the time she was a little girl. Exposure to such a variety of different people and places helped to inspire her imagination and nurture her desire to create new and fantastic realms for others to explore. Stephens currently heralds from the Appalachian Mountains and fills her days working as a consultant and functional designer for a software company near her home. In her spare time, however, she is dedicated to the stories she weaves together for her readers. Writing in a variety of genres from mystery to science fiction to fantasy, Stephens continues to discover the possibilities of new and exciting places in the worlds she creates.Stephens is proudly owned by a 10 pound Pomeranian named Peanut Pumpkin Pie who is her constant companion and writing partner. "I have always had pets throughout my life, but in so many ways, it is like Peanut is the better half of my heart. For me, the perfect day is a day spent in my jammie pants with my little girl, a cup of girlie coffee, and my writing journal." In February 2013, Stephens lost the first great love of her life, Sir Happy Heart, the miniature dachshund who was the real-life inspiration for the Sir Happy Heart character in her Chronicles of Mister Marmee series. She continues to write his novels as a tribute to the memory of a dog that was as grand in life and spirit as the character in her novels. Stephens is currently working on her third novel and the first in a new fantasy adventure series. The Journey to the Darken Realms is due for release in the summer of 2014.