Jennifer Lynn Alvarez is the author of two YA thrillers, FRIENDS LIKE THESE and LIES LIKE WILDFIRE, and two middle grade fantasy series, THE GUARDIAN HERD and RIDERS OF THE REALM. She earned her degree in English Literature from UC Berkeley and volunteers for SCBWI and Maury Magic Riders, a therapeutic horse-riding facility. Jennifer splits her time between Northern California and Middle Tennessee with her husband, three children, and more than her fair share of pets.