About us

We are husband and wife in addition to being partners in our creative efforts.  Our passion for social justice is rooted in our Christian faith as we try to carry out the example of Jesus in taking care of the "least of these" and calling on others to do the same.  Jesus directs us to love others, not just people like ourselves, but all people.  

Janet l. Black, MSN, MPH, FNP

BRuce A. Rasmussen

Janet is a retired family nurse practitioner who has worked in behavioral health, public health, correctional health and primary care.  She writes health-related non-fiction books in addition to collaborating with Bruce.  These include books on fibromyalgia, sexual abuse, environmental toxins, breast cancer and weight loss.  She also enjoys singing and playing the guitar.

Bruce was a CAD drafter until service-related conditions progressed to the point that he could no longer work.  He had a brief period of homelessness in the past and the idea to write Life at Ground Level was born then.  It took many years and collaboration with Janet to get it done and published.  He has also been trained as a lay pastor with the Presbyterian Church USA.

We make our home in the mountains of Western North Carolina along with our flock of chickens,
​our pack of rescued dogs and a few guinea pigs.