For the last 30 years, Noreen Jacks has taught the Bible with a passion for the Word of God, and visions of hope for those in need of spiritual restoration.

Her debut book, Promises from the Olive Tree, incorporates her in-depth biblical knowledge with the experience of raising four sons. The result is a unique manual for successful parenting.

Noreen has a Master's Degree in Religious Studies from Trinity Southwest University in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She speaks regularly to Christian women's gatherings, teaches weekly Bible studies at her church, and ministers to incarcerated women.

Noreen's academic interests include biblical archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics, and the history of the Bible lands and its inhabitants.

Her multiple travels throughout the Middle East are readily shared with her readers who benefit from the spiritual insight provided by her experiences.

Noreen has been married to Bruce, a civil engineer, for 36 years.

Together, they serve on the advisory board of the Woodland Museum of Biblical Archaeology, and are preparing to host an exciting tour to the Bible lands in Fall 2008. The couple also plans to participate in the excavation of the proposed site of ancient Sodom, located at Tall el-Hammam, north-east of the Dead Sea in Jordan.

The couple are the proud parents of four adult sons and doting grandparents of four grandchildren, ages two to eleven. They live in Northern California.