Karen Leigh Charles has been a child advocate, human rights commissioner, and an art educator. Once the writing bug bit her, she found the creative process magical. In addition to writing, she is a professional artist whose paintings are showcased in local galleries. Karen has been known to pop up as an extra in Baltimore-based movies and television programs. She also writes the award-winning Beth Getty Mysteries under the name Karen Neary Smithson. She lives with her husband and three rescued turned show cats in Ellicott City, Maryland.