Linda J. Bottjer, a native New Yorker, has loved history since childhood. As a freelance writer her work has appeared with CBS News, Travel & Leisure, the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group and Healing Quest, a syndicated PBS series. Currently she is the owner of Gold Rush Tales, a tour company based in Northern California. Their ghost tours of Placerville, Grapes and Graves and Walking with the Dead tours allow people to meet the spirited deceased residents of major Mother Lode towns.