Darlene B. Fair is a retired federal worker with the Department of Defense and has been a short story writer for five years. She felt a touch of God’s whisper into her into soul which started Darlene’s impulse of writing. Darlene’s greatest passion is to unfasten the window of opportunity to express little pieces of her life in stories to capture readers imagination, life experiences, adventures, heartaches, love stories, and much more. As a writer Darlene’s stories have received various awards in the Mid Carolina Senior Games Silver Arts - Short Story Contest. In addition to writing, she enjoys creating BeckeyWorks personalized designs for her business. Chapter Title: Turn Around Surprise

Florence Levy Florence Levy is enjoying retirement. She is elated to be able to spend time relaxing, reading novels, and poems. Her favorite books are inspirational stories that while reading you feel as if you are experiencing what the author is writing. It is that passion that has inspired her to write poems and stories that others can relate to or enhance their lives. Her quiet time has led her to write poetry including: “Silent Tears,” “You Don’t Know Me,” and “Touched by Love.” She feels that our journey begins the day we are born and continues through different seasons of our lives. Her hope is the readers of her poems will feel the emotion of love and sometimes pain that comes from life’s up and downs but also experience God’s presence and grace. Florence plans for the future is to continue writing heartfelt inspirational poems and stories. Florence lives with her husband Issac. She was born and raised in Sumter, South Carolina. After retiring from the military and civil service, they made Fayetteville, North Carolina their home. Poems: "“Silent Tears,” “You Don’t Know Me,” and “Touched by Love”

Having grown up in a time when ladies were often told they would be old maids If they didn't marry young, the 1970's were quite the experience for a young woman from South Carolina. Her story, "Tying the Knot" speaks to the experiences of just such a young lady. Doris has written a fiction story that is heartfelt, yet humorous about a character, named Tricia. This young lady married for all the wrong reasons and must face the consequences of her decision. Doris Willis Harvin, lives with her husband in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Doris retired as a paraprofessional from the public school system where she developed a passion for helping young people fall in love with reading. She has enjoyed reading many stories to the students over the years. She is working on a series of children’s books that she hopes will educate, entertain and take readers on many exciting adventures. Chapter Title: "Tying the Knot"

Dr. McLauchlin is the author of two books, “Free to Choose,-Worthiness” and “Free to Choose Journal.” She is also the founder and CEO of Norma McLauchlin Global Ministries and Lady Lifers Women’s Conference, Ministers’ Mates Matters, and Chosen Pen Publishing. She is author, wife, mother, co-pastor, instructor, teacher, and administrator. She has the unique ability to connect to woman from all walks of life. Dr. McLauchlin has accepted the call to help women develop their self-esteem and self-worth. Her humility for God’s Word coordinates, and executes behind the scenes, one could categorize her as a profound minister, teacher, visionary, exhorter, and leader. Her spirit embraces the experiences, gifts, and talents of New Life members and the surrounding communities that leave a breathtaking message of faithfulness, dedication, and commitment to the Kingdom of God. Chapter Title: Choices

Suzetta Perkins is the author of eleven published novels that are works of fiction, and one pre-teen book that she co-wrote with her granddaughter, Samayya. She’s also a contributing author of My Soul to His Spirit, an anthology that received the 2006 Fresh Voices Award and was featured in the 2005 issue of Ebony magazine. Suzetta is the President of the Sistahs Book Club and is Secretary of the University at Fayetteville State University (FSU), her alma mater. She’s also on the Board of Directors for the FSU Friends of the Library. Chapter Title: Trouble Don't Always Last

Nicole Smith was born in Albany, New York and moved to Fayetteville, NC, where she was raised. She joined the military and served in the Army National Guard in Nashville, TN for 9 years, making her home in Nashville TN for 28 years. She now lives in Fayetteville, NC. She is a single mother of four adult children: Marquita, Maurice, Desmond, and Destiny. Nicole is the daughter of the late Pastor Elzabad Ferguson and her mother Parthenia Ferguson, who now lives with her. She is the 10th of 12 siblings and serves as a Minister at New Life Bible Church, Fayetteville, NC and presides over the Single’s Ministry. ​ She is the author of seven 28-Day Devotions for Singles, three of which are published. Two more to be published in 2018 and two in 2019. Book One is “Opened Palms: On Waiting on God,” Book Two is “Dear Abba, Father: Prayer” and Book three is “Passion Fruit: Passions and Desires.” ​ Nicole writes on subjects that will help and encourage singles in their walk with God. Passion Fruit became available for purchase by December 15, 2017. Her oldest daughter Marquita is her editor and the founder and owner of Vegas Communications. Her oldest son Maurice is her illustrator and the founder and owner of Jester Arts. Outside of Singles, she Ministers to Women’s Ministries, Conferences, Retreats, and any capacity the Lord leads her as a Minister. She has been invited to speak at many Churches, Women’s Conferences, and Single’s Conferences. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, writing skits and the spoken word. Chapter Title: The Invitation