Cate Tiernan is the pen name of Gabrielle Charbonnet, born on July 24, 1961. She is an American author best known for her Sweep series, which explores the Wiccan adventures of high school students. This series is known as the Wicca series in the UK, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Australia, and as White Magic (Magie Blanche) in Italy and France.

Under her real name, Gabrielle Charbonnet, she is known for writing children's books, including the Princess, American Gold Gymnasts, and Disney Girls series. In addition to her solo work, she collaborated with author James Patterson on two young adult novels, Sundays at Tiffany's and Witch & Wizard.

Cate Tiernan (Gabrielle Charbonnet) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, a city with a rich and exotic culture that greatly influenced her. She moved to New York for school and later worked in publishing before starting her writing career. Her experiences in New Orleans, known for its heat, humidity, and eccentric culture, play a significant role in her creative style.