An avid reader as a child, Cheryl Kaye Tardif grew up in Vancouver, Canada in a nurturing environment with a family who encouraged her creative side, surrounded with Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and Bobbsey Twins series. During her teens, her favorite authors were Stephen King, Dean Koontz, John Saul, and Danielle Steel.

At 14, Cheryl was already a consummate journalist, writing a weekly column for a small-town newspaper for…

Starr Burgess worked as an elementary teacher and school counselor for a total of seven years. She has a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Texas State University. Starr is busy working on her second children’s book: Counselor Dynamite Befuddles the Bullyville Crew. She currently resides with her husband, Clyde, and their daughter in Pflugerville, TX.

Tell us a little about your main character, Counselor Dynamite, and what makes her…