Ray Hansen began writing the Nina Steel Adventure series in 1988 under the pen name, Navar Lake, which he no longer uses.

Banking on Torture was the first book written, however, pressure from friends and family encouraged him to write a different opener to the series. This brought about Reunion, which is now widely accepted as the first book in the series and was released in audio and e-book formats in 1993 along with Banking on Torture as an e-book. Four years later, the third book in the series was released under a great deal of hoopla due to the book's title, A Hamster in a Microwave. A landslide of mail from animal rights groups found its way to Mr. Hansen's doorstep. Their concerns were laid to rest, as the book has nothing to do with the microwaving of hamsters or any other animals.

Originally, the series was to be made up of eight books or episodes with each book having its own plot, but at the same time being part of a much larger plot that encompasses all eight books. At this time, Mr. Hansen is not revealing whether the series will end with book eight or continue on indefinity.

Mr. Hansen is an Aerospace Manufacturing Consultant and halves his time between the States and his beloved islands of the French West Indies, where he writes. His wife, Darlene, has appeared in the cover art of several of his books and his son has enabled him to understand the true meaning of joy.

Biography provided by the author, June 2002