ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Readers, I want to thank you for supporting my “notorious women” of the Bible series. I’ve chosen women like Delilah and Bathsheba, who, from their mere appearance, caused the downfall of several great men. But when you dig a little deeper, you realize the men had choices, just like we all have choices in our life. It’s up to each individual to weigh their options before acting or reacting. Our decisions can lead to life or death.

I thank God for His grace and mercy. Without Him, none of this would be possible for me.

I can’t do a dedication without mentioning my parents, who inspired me to be the best I can be: Lloyd (1947–1996) and Exie. To my two brothers, Lloyd F. (Jerry) and John, whom I love dearly.

A special shout-out to my Cedar Hill Baptist Church family and to relatives who help spread the word about all my books: Hattie Hogan Jones, Nicolette Hogan, Demetrius Hogan, Mary Jean Foster, and Dorothy Hodges.

Thanks again to Joylynn Jossel and my agent, Dr. Maxine Thompson. I would also like to thank my publisher, Carl Weber, and everyone else at Urban Christian.

Kemmerly Beckham, Carla J Curtis, Kandie Delley, Peggy Eldridge-Love, Sharon “Shaye” Gray, Linda Dominique Grosvenor, Deborah Hartman-Fox, Sheila L. Jackson, Shelia Lipsey, Michelle McGriff, Angelia Menchan, Brock Anderson, Kevin Gill, A. Andrew Minix, and Augustus Shepherd, thank you all for your words of encouragement.

Thanks to all who have shown their support to me over the years. I don’t have space to list everybody, but here are a few names: Emma Rodgers; Mrs. Til (Jokae’s Bookstore in Dallas); Abiola Abrams; Vincent Alexandria; Black Pearls Keepin’ It Real Book Club; Charlotte Blocker; Gwyneth Bolton; Tina McKinney Brooks; Crystal Brown-Tatum; Renata “Dee” Carter; Jennifer Coissiere; Cassie Coleman; Yasmin Coleman (APOOO Book Club); Ella Curry (EDC Creations); Jamise Dames; Desiree Day; Terrance Dean (Hello Beautiful); Essentially Women; Eleuthera Book Club; Brenda Evans; Pat “Sister Betty” G’orge-Walker; Yolanda Gore; Bettye Griffin; Cynthia Harrison; LaShaunda Hoffman (Shades of Romance Magazine); Troy Johnson; Yolanda Johnson-Bryant; Live, Love, Laugh and Books yahoo group; Lutishia Lovely; Rhonda McKnight; Alfreda McMillan; Mindful Thinkers Book Club; Darlene Mitchell; Michelle Monkou; Celeste O’Norfleet; Debra Owsley (Simply Said Reading Accessories); Onika Pascal; V Anthony Rivers; Tee C. Royal (RAWSISTAZ); Brian W. Smith; Sherena Smith; Stacy-Deanne; Dee Stewart; Olivia Stith; Joyce Swint; Marietta Underwood; Tanisha Webb; Tu-Shonda Whitaker; all my Facebook and Twitter friends; and the list goes on and on.

If your name wasn’t mentioned, it’s not that I forgot about you. I just ran out of room. Thank you, ___________ (fill in your name). I appreciate you all.

Shelia M. Goss