Rainer Maria Schröder, born 1951 in Rostock, is a German author of historical novels for all ages, juveniles and adults. He studied many different trades, including that of an opera singer. Since 1977 he has been a freelance journalist in Germany and the US. The backgrounds of his stories are all well researched, and he writes about places he has visited. Most of his stories are set in the Middle Ages. He currently lives in Georgia and enjoys hiking and camping. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainer\_M... retrieved: 23. August 2014)