Alison Winfree Pickrell retired in June of 2006 from the Iredell County school system after 30 years as a special education teacher. She lives with her husband, Brian Pickrell, who has been a chef, chimney sweep, tow truck driver and now does all the technological aspects of her writing career. Alison has grown twin stepsons, Danny and David Pickrell and a seven-year-old grandson, Cody. She and Brian share their home with A German shepherd, a Finnish Lapphund and two cats. She loved her years of teaching but writing books has always been her passion. She sent her first manuscript to a publisher at age 16—the first of many years of rejection slips. She thanks God that He has given her this desire of her heart by bringing her to Jeff Nesbit and Ramona Tucker at OakTara Press. Psalm 37:4.