Brenda M Hardwick remembers high school when she first picked up a copy of ?Lord of the Rings?? she was hooked! Brenda has been writing since 3rd grade, and poetry was her first outlet, having several poems published locally. Then, she started writing stories. Fantasy was where she landed because she could create everything and place it anywhere and any-when she wanted. After winning second place in Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Contest with the first three chapters of ?Harlem Angel? in 1993, life happened. Followed by inspiration through meeting her favorite author, Anne McCaffrey, who published her first novel at the age of 50; Brenda knew she would get it done, and that the other stories she had to tell would gain life as well. Brenda lives in Colorado with her dog Lelu and has two adult sons, four adult grandchildren and has recently retired from a 27 year career serving in state government. She says that now she can concentrate more on her writing. It is never too late to let your light shine!