Ben Alirez was born in Southern California and grew up on the tough streets of East Los Angeles and La Puente, California. Attending public schools, he went on to attend Rio Hondo College and Mt. San Antonio College. 

Once out of high school, Ben also joined the working force, laboring as a stock-boy, factory worker, assistant bookkeeper, and utility man. He also participated in the sport of amateur boxing for a brief time. It was while attending college that Ben encountered a fellow student in racquetball class. To his great surprise, the spirited young woman nearly beat him, an encounter that so shook him, he was prompted to get to know her better—something he has been doing ever since! The two of them married a few years later and are now in their 23rd year. His wife Carolina and he have two wonderful sons—Nicholas, 20, and Eric, 16.

Ben’s interest in writing began when a co-worker declared that he had missed his calling. Her revelation came after she had just finished reading the first business document he penned. Since that time, Ben has challenged himself to learn more about writing, taking business-writing courses through his workplace and endless hours of self-study. “Brothers in Arms” was Ben’s first attempt at a novel, and it is stories that deliver positive messages of hope and redemption that interest him the most. Such an ability to write is something Ben attributes to his strong personal faith in God.

For over twenty years, Ben has been employed with a company in California where he works as an office manager. Outside of work he continues to be involved in various writing projects. 
 

Carol Alirez is the wife of Ben Alirez. A graduate of Bishop Amat High School, she went on to attend Rio Hondo College in Whittier, California, where she received an Associate of Arts Degree in General Education. 

It was also while attending college that Carol encountered her future husband, Ben, in a racquetball game. Never one to give up easily, she gave her very best to defeat her more experienced opponent, but ultimately finished second. It did, however, lead to bigger and better things and she and Ben were eventually married in 1986. She along with her husband feels very blessed to have two wonderful sons. 

As a Christian woman, Carol can attest firsthand to the healing power of God. Back in 1999, she lost her beloved mother to pancreatic cancer, and it was only through the grace of God that was she able to come to terms with the loss. 

For BenAlirez.com, Carol attends to the business aspects and provides her photography skills.  

Nicholas Alirez is the oldest son of Ben and Carol Alirez. A junior at a southern California university, he expects to further his education in the field of business.  

His interests include Kung Fu, video games, art, and racquetball (of course).   

For BenAlirez.com, Nicholas uses his considerable talent to provide realistic illustrations along with his father for the characters in the El Gato series. He also assists with technical support in the area of computers. 

As a Christian teenager, Nicholas understands that God has a purpose and a design for his life, and the talents and abilities he possesses are nothing short of a gift from God.  

Eric Alirez, 16, is the youngest son of Ben and Carol Alirez. An eleventh grader in high school, Eric loves playing the electric guitar. Despite having played for just over a year, he is already able to perform "Beat It" by Michael Jackson and the "Hotel California" solo by the Eagles.

His other interests include video games, computers, writing, and media-related activities.  

For BenAlirez.com, Eric puts his computer-related talents to good use by providing computer-generated graphics for the website in such areas as coloring, cropping, pasting, lettering, and the logo. 

Although young in the world’s eyes, Eric understands that it’s his faith in Christ that defines him as a person and he wouldn’t have it any other way.  

P.S. – Let it also be known that Eric enjoys a good game of racquetball.