Maria V. Badin was born in Flint, Michigan, where her childhood was filled with library books, muddy boots, and a boundless curiosity for animals and the natural world. She graduated from the University of Michigan and later earned her MBA from Michigan State University, combining her love of storytelling with a deep understanding of people and how they think, move, and dream.

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An avid animal lover, naturalist, and world traveler, Maria has trekked across continents in search of rare wildlife, inspiring landscapes, and the kind of heart-deep moments that eventually find their way into her stories. Whether she’s visiting ancient ruins, climbing misty mountains, or watching wild horses run, Maria believes the best adventures always start with listening and observing.

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She currently lives on a ranch along California’s Central Coast with her husband and a menagerie of four-legged companions who provide both comic relief and constant inspiration. These include three soulful horses—True, Bubbles, and High Duty—a sweet and sassy dog named Bentley, and two fearless cats, Turbo and Indy.

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When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking a ridge line with incredible views, riding through open fields, or daydreaming about her next story—usually with a cup of tea in hand and one of her animals by her side.