LA VERN THOMAS-PETTIS is a mother of two and grandmother of 7. Her education background includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Professional Writing from Calumet College of St. Joseph and a Master of Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. After 30 years in Corporate America, La Vern took an early retirement at age 50 with the plan to vigilantly pursue her passion for writing. However, many other opportunities availed themselves and she spent her time embracing those. None-the-less, nothing was lost. From entrepreneurship to bankruptcy, to graduate school, La Vern has acquired a culmination of experiences through the years which have added many meaningful miles to her writing journey. Currently a mental health counselor as well as a middle and high school teacher, La Vern enjoys working with children, encouraging them to live life with a determination to achieve their highest goals; seeing challenges as opportunities for success only, never defeat. She proclaims, “It is my prayerful desire that from the messages which God has inspired through me within these pages, every woman who reads them, regardless of age, race, creed or color, will find an empowering peace, along with the determination to confidently withstand the vicissitudes of life.” Currently residing in Indiana, La Vern was born in Memphis, Tennessee and plans to return to that vicinity one day in the near future.