I, Brenda L. Smith, PhD, a retired educator, have been a teacher, principal, an assistant superintendent of schools, and a college professor. With my dissertation, "Utilizing Expectancy Theory in an Investigation of Characteristics and Career Aspirations of Women Administrators in Georgia Public Schools," completed in 1994, my attention turned to contemporary fiction stories I longed to share. Forbidden Love in Timbuktu (Woman from Another Land) started with an AP story in many newspapers, one that left me with questions. I used my imagination to fill in the blanks and complete the story. I'm married to Jerry and a mother and grandmother. I reside in Georgia.