Tender Mercies: Elizabeth’s Story is the fifth book in the Extraordinary Women of the Bible historical fiction series. Elizabeth has always longed for a baby. But after years of trying to conceive with her husband, Zechariah, a priest, she is now long past childbearing age, and her marriage is hanging on by a thread. With all hopes seemingly dashed, Elizabeth prays one last time for a child. Soon, when Gabriel, an archangel of God, visits Zechariah and announces the good news of Elizabeth’s impending pregnancy, the priest is shocked beyond belief and becomes a mute. His wife is similarly incredulous. Can she—after years of disappointment and heartache—really bear a child? Come along on Elizabeth’s miraculous journey and discover how God uses her pregnancy to heal her strained marriage, restore her reputation, and—most of all—make way for the coming of the Savior of the world. Every night when Texie Susan Gregory was a little girl, her mother, with an expressive voice and face, brought life to a Bible story. The stories became so familiar that sometimes the people seemed like distant relatives―Grandfather Abraham, Uncle Paul, Cousin Esther. After discovering Elizabeth Speare's book The Bronze Bow, she realized people other than those she “knew” had lived and loved and laughed during Bible times. Astonishing! Thus began her quest to write the stories of both the unknown and the well-known people of biblical times. Studying why people act and respond the way they do fascinates her. She has a master's degree in school counseling as well as in religious education. North Carolina-born-and-bred Texie Susan is an empty nester along with her husband, loving life in Michigan, next door to their two amazing grandchildren and said grandchildren's wonderful parents.―Michigan