Olesya Salnikova Gilmore was born in Moscow, Russia; raised in the US; and graduated from Pepperdine University with a BA in English / political science, and from Northwestern School of Law with a JD. She practiced litigation at a large law firm for several years before pursuing her dream of becoming an author. She is happiest writing historical fiction and fantasy inspired by eastern European folklore. She lives in a wooded lakeside suburb of Chicago with her husband and daughter.