Karna Bodman served as White House Deputy Press Secretary under President Ronald Reagan and was subsequently appointed as Senior Director and spokesman for the National Security Council. She attended arms control talks with the Soviets and traveled with the team that briefed the leaders of Great Britain, France and Italy as well as Pope John Paul II. When Karna left The White House to become Senior Vice President of a Public Affairs firm, she was the highest ranking woman on The White House staff. Karna's thrillers include CASTLE BRAVO, CHECKMATE, GAMBIT, FINAL FINESSE, and her short story, THE AGENT. Her next thriller is titled, TRUST BUT VERIFY. She is married to Dick Bodman and they maintain homes in Naples, Florida, Washington, D.C. and Rancho Santa Fe, CA.