Ann Marie Bezayiff, EH, Lindsay, California, wrote “From the Olive Orchard,” a 
collection of creative nonfiction offering insight into her faith. Ann Marie gives a fresh way of bringing Christ into everyday life through her stories. Written in a romantic style, this collection of stories about faith draws readers into Ann Marie’s personal journey of faith. Ann Marie received her bachelor’s degree and mater’s in education from the University of Washington and has taught in Washington, Oregon and California. This is her first book.
Susan Harrison McMichael, DK, Tempe, Arizona, wrote “Box 7, Black Canyon 
Stage Route: Scratchin’ Out a Livin’ on an Arizona Chicken Ranch.” In this humorous memoir Susan writes about her childhood watching her highway engineer father and southern belle mother wrangle chickens with grit and tenacity through storm, pestilence and venomous critters on a drought-prone ranch in Arizona. Susan’s family settled along the Black Canyon Stage Route, a notorious trail that led adventurers and settlers as well as sheriffs and outlaws from Phoenix to the mountain regions of Arizona. Susan captures these difficult years following WWII with whimsy and a touch of hyperbole.
Susan attended Cottey College before transferring to the University of Arizona where she received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English. She has worn several career hats—English teacher, librarian, business owner, paralegal and resume writer. Now she writes stories of a four-generation family who came to Arizona in territorial days and paved the way for a modern progressive state.
Patty Jacobs, H, Eugene Oregon, has written her second book, “My Balancing 
Act: Memoir of Adapting to Multiple Sclerosis and Recapturing a Joyful Life.”
Patty grew up in Longview, Washington, with many P.E.O family members.
At age 41, after a few nagging clues, Patty Jacobs’s lifestyle got into a tussle with her central nervous system. The attack of multiple sclerosis on her body had a sudden and staggering onset. She tried to muster optimism, perseverance and assertiveness to combat the fatigue, grief and privation she felt on loosing her physically active, former way of life. Pacing herself, trying to connect her body and brain, are her ongoing trials, as she approaches living with MS as a challenge rather than an obstacle.
“My Balancing Act” centers on managing illness without being consumed by it. These essays tell of the early adjustments the author made, her quest for self-reliance and how she avoids defeat by seeking out new experiences and associations.
Anne C Christensen, GE, Bellevue, Washington, recently e-published her two 
books “Motorbikes and Murder,” a mystery, and “Patrick the Naughty Pony,” a children’s chapter book.
Margaret Ping, BG, Billings, Montana, has completed her third book at the age 
of 98, entitled “Three Defining Years in a Long Life.” Margaret is a 77 year member of P.E.O., initiated into Chapter L, Hardin, Montana, in 1933. Utilizing her excellent memory and the letters she had written to her parents (which her mother saved), Margaret recollects 1933-1936 as the most defining years of her life. She arrived in The Lower East Side of New York City in August of 1933, in the midst of the Great Depression, and spent the next three years living in the Church of All Nations Settlement House while studying for a Masters Degree in Religious Education at Teachers College at Columbia University. Her work with the children who lived in the Church of All Nations defined her life’s work with nonprofit organizations in Mexico, Peru and the United States.
Gertie Max, HA, Overland Park, Kansas, wrote “Oh! What God Can Do!” in 
which she shares some very personal memories from her uniquely successful life. From her youth to her professional life and beyond, Gertie sees God’s hand at work and she shares the lessons she learned from her experiences. In her book, Gertie recalls those pivotal moments in her life when God’s presence was felt. Her stories will make readers laugh, cry and reflect on God’s influence in life.
Gertie lives in Kansas with her husband Marvin. They have two grown children and six grandchildren. Gertie has spent 30 years as a teacher, both in the public school system and through her own successful programs and curriculum. She continues to teach in her private classroom and is involved in church activities.
Lynn Cochrane Leonard, D, Phoenix, Arizona, wrote “Not by Chance: God’s 
‘Coincidental’ Guidance of My Life.” In it, she tells the story of God’s hand in her life journey. A series of remarkably improbable events signal the paths she should follow as she confronts a myriad of challenges including polio, devastating accidents, major depression, divorce, unemployment and multiple sclerosis. Lynn believes her book will help readers become more aware of God’s “coincidental” guidance in their own lives. As a Christian and psychotherapist, she understands the power of belief and recognizes faith is tested during these discouraging times.
Marsha Engle, FE, Geneva, Illinois, wrote “100 Sounds to See.” As Marsha’s 
world grew softer due to a progressive hearing loss, she wanted something to help her remember the sounds of an ordinary day. As she lost more of her hearing, she noticed that pictures helped her to remember sounds. She called upon her photographer friend Bill Huber to help her capture the pictures of sounds that she missed the most and then created this book. “100 Sounds to See” is a book of images that helps Marsha remember sounds. She hopes the book will help readers recognize how much they are missing and encourage them to slow down, even for a couple minutes and listen to life
Jane Cochran, I, Hagerstown, Maryland, wrote “Treasures of God,” a memoir 
about an ordinary woman with an extraordinary God. Jane recounts how everyday issues and problems that she faced were turned upside-down when God stepped into the picture. Jane shares how angels saved her many times from life-threatening situations. Her desire is to see others come closer to God through the experiences she has gone through. Jane has three children and eight grandchildren.
