Joan Meijer writes fiction and non-fiction. The daughter of author and fitness expert Bonnie Prudden and co-author of five books with Suzy Prudden, Joan has written dozens of books and close to 60 short stories. Her training as a New York City Paramedic guided her to a fascination with medical history - particularly in the area of epidemics. Typhoid Mary is the first of her novels in this arena. Relentless: The Search For Typhoid Mary is a reflection of Meijer's life. She grew up in her grandparents mansion in Westchester County New York which was filled with servants like Mary. Later, she lived in a New York City tenement at a time when New York still had many of these buildings and architecture was transitioning from old to very new. Life in New York has always fascinated Meijer and this is the perfect book to reflect her interest. Other novels by Joan Meijer include: "The Provenance" which is a dramatic story based on a riveting rescue that happened two blocks from her home in Manhattan in 1985. "The Initiative" a medical and political thriller written under the pen name John Russell which postulates what might happen if anthrax was let loose in New York City. It is the first book of a series featuring Cassandra Williams of the CDC. "The President's Dirty Little Secret," also written as John Russell, is the tale of David McLaughlin investigative reporter who has stumbled on a trail of violence and bloodshed that he must figure out to save his own life and that of his teenage daughter. Meijer also writes thrillers under the pen name John Russell. Her Thrillers include: "The Initiative: A Cassandra Williams Medical Thriller" about an anthrax attack on New York City. "The President's Dirty Little Secret: a Political Thriller" which takes Investigative Reporter David McLaughlin all the way to the oval office and a scandal that could affect the next election. "Accidental Consequences" An alternative history loose nukes in America thriller which suggests a terrifying outcome for the outing of Valerie Plame.