Carol Gino RN, MA, has been a nurse, author and teacher for many years. She has worked in all areas of nursing including; ER, Intensive Care, the Burn Unit, Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care, and Hospice Care for the terminally ill.

Her Masters in Transpersonal Studies focused on new modalities for healing, evolution of consciousness, and cross-cultural healing - skills she has used as an Authenticity Coach and a guide for writing from the soul.

Carol is the author or co-author of over eight books, including Los Angeles Times and New York Times bestsellers. As the longtime companion of the author, Mario Puzo (The Godfather) for over 20 years, until his death in 1999, two decades of brainstorming with Mario - editing and transcribing his handwritten manuscripts until his writer’s voice rang in her head - had prepared her for the ultimate honor which she reluctantly agreed to at his request, and in 2001 she completed his book, The Family, from his notes. It was published by Judith Regan of Harper Collins and was also a New York Times bestseller.

Her second book, Rusty’s Story sold over 350,000 copies and again, Carol did a 15 city media tour. Rusty’s Story received the Epilepsy Foundation of America's “National Book Award” and was on the New York Times bestseller list for 5 weeks. She also received the “Service Award” from the Epilepsy Association of Ohio and spoke to many epilepsy associations across the country. Ciba Geigy made her their spokesperson for the anti-convulsion drug, Tegretol and another media tour followed.

In 1997, Kensington Books published Carol's next book about the death of her grandson from SIDS called, Then An Angel Came and she was a keynote speaker at the National SIDS Convention in Dallas Texas in 1997. She was also a speaker at the Bereavement Convention in upstate New York, entitled “Helping Families Cope with Grief” in Tarrytown.