farley grew up in southern california and lives in the foothills of the sierra nevada in verdi, nevada, with her journalist and former ksgg 1230 am radio talk show host husband cory and her pets. she has worked as a waitress, journalist, teacher of remedial english and now writes books full-time. she received the silver pen award from the university of nevada in 2010 and was inducted into the nevada writers hall of fame in november 2017. her 2015 book "wild at heart: mustangs and young people fighting to save them" documenting the plight of wild horses in the west, published by houghton-mifflin-harcourt, was selected as a junior literary guild selection as well as winner of the sterling north heritage award for excellence in children's literature. it was also recommended by the american association for the advancement of science, and a finalist for best western juvenile nonfiction by the western writers of america she is a founding member of the society of children's book writers and illustrators' mentor program. her "phantom stallion" series has sold more than one million copies. "seven tears into the sea", also very popular, was nominated for the ala best books for young adults award.