Cynthia G. Neale is a native of the Finger Lakes region of New York and now resides in an antique house in New Hampshire with her husband and a few pets. The author has long possessed a deep interest in the tragedies and triumphs of the Irish during The Great Hunger. She enjoys Irish set dancing; traveling, especially to Ireland; reading; art classes and painting; baking fanciful desserts; hiking; kayaking; creating events for food, dance, and fund raising; laughing until it hurts; and dreaming about possibilities. Norah is her first historical novel for adult readers. She is also the author of two young adult novels, The Irish Dresser, A Story of Hope during The Great Hunger (An Gorta Mor, 1845-1850) and Hope in New York City, The Continuing Story of The Irish Dresser. Ms. Neale also writes plays, short stories, and essays, and holds a B.A. in Writing and Literature from Vermont College.