As a child, A. J. Rasmussen would sit for hours reading science fiction, fairy tales, and action adventure stories. The youngest of five children, A.J.'s mother was a school teacher and pianist. Her father was a physicist. At 15, she moved with her sister from southern California to Reno, Nevada, to live with an aunt, and is currently a children's librarian and website creator. When she's not writing, A. J. spends her time competing in ranch sorting and team penning events. She is the mother of three grown children.