Born and raised in the American Mid-West as Michael Thomas Goodrich ("Mike"), I have lived around. Before I began writing books I painted watercolors for a meager existence in New England. I am an unabashed tree-hugger and animal advocate. I love the natural world, especially pure prairie. I love standing on historic ground when no one else is around. I enjoy observing all things great and small and learning how they get along. Before I earned a college degree in history, I majored in psychology.