After reading Black Beauty for the 1,497th time, Courtney McCaskill was inspired to write her own stories. Reviews of her early work were mixed, with her fourth-grade teacher, Ms. Compton, saying, “Please stop writing all of your assignments from the point of view of a horse.” Today, Courtney lives in Austin, Texas with the hero of her own story, who holds the distinction of being the world’s most sarcastic pediatrician. She is reliably informed by her six-year-old son that she gives THE BEST hugs, “because you’re so squishy, Mommy.” When she’s not busy almost burning down her house attempting to make a traditional Christmas pudding, she enjoys playing the piano, learning everything there is to know about Kodiak bears, and of course, curling up with a great book! Visit her online at www.courtneymccaskill.com.