R.R. Brooks, a native of New Jersey, moved from pharmaceutical research to writing even before retiring in North Carolina where he now dwells with a supportive spouse (and beta reader), two enormous cats, and an independent beagle. He studied fiction the hard way: in courses, relentless critique groups, and by accumulating enough rejections to paper his office. He is a reader for the Eric M. Hoffer Award for small press and self-published books, has judged plays for a local theater annual play competition, and has had a short play produced. Fantasy short stories that deal with faith and aliens have appeared in print and online venues. Bob writes in several genres. Besides his fantasy novel, he with co-author A.C. Brooks published a psychological-twist mystery novel The Clown Forest Murders in November 2017. An espionage thriller of Chinese theft of a robot technology is out with publishers. A sequel to Justi the Gifted is underway. See www.brooks-authors.com.