Elaine Martinez grew up in Hammond, Indiana. When she graduated high school, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for a total of six and a half years. After her enlistment, she moved to California and spent five years as a deputy sheriff for the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. It was during this time that she wrote Don't Be Blue Bunny!, her first published work. Elaine spent her final year and a half in law enforcement as a police officer for the town of Merrillville, Indiana. She ultimately resigned to become a short-term missionary in Africa. She currently resides in Crown Point, Indiana, and now works for a local security business.