Louisa Koch (Maria Wise nee Wesche) is a wife and mother of four from St. Louis. Previously a full-time Oncology and Hospice nurse, she has lately devoted more time to caring for immediate and extended family and works as a kickboxing trainer. From the Ashes was her first novel which started as a project to increase awareness of bullying in an attempt to make things better for her children. She did not expect for the experience to be so therapeutic and empowering. Her first children’s book, Sampson The Super Dog is now available on Amazon. Her second children’s book, Owl and Hawk is also her first self-illustrated work. There is more to come from this author as she is currently working on a potential trilogy about a secret, academic elite society, and is considering dabbling into non-fiction about her struggles recovering from sexual assault and a traumatic marriage/divorce.