Vanskike, Marissa: - Marissa Vanskike is a suspense and mystery author who delves endlessly into the dark expanse of what one might be willing to do in order to protect their family in the obsessive way only a mother can. When she isn't busy wiping yogurt from tiny hands and cleaning crayon off the wall, you can find her outside with her family or caffeinating herself with a book in her hand. She resides in Northern California with her husband and three children. How It Had To Be is her debut novel.