Marlene Perez is the author of paranormal and urban fantasy books, including the best-selling Dead is series for teens. The first book in the series, Dead is the New Black, was named an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers as well as an ALA Popular Paperback. Dead is Just a Rumor was on VOYA's 2011 Best Science Fiction, Horror, & Fantasy List. Her novels have been featured in Girl's Life, Seventeen, and Cosmopolitan, and Disney Television has optioned the rights to the first three books in the Dead is series. She grew up in Story City, Iowa and is the youngest of twelve children. She lives in Orange County, California with her husband and children. Visit Marlene at www.marleneperez.com or at the Welcome to Nightshade Facebook Community Page at http: //www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Welcome-to-Nightshade-DEAD-IS.