Byron, Mary Ann: - "Mary is one of a eight children, born and raised in Minnesota. She specializes in public relations, which takes her all over the world. Her memoir NO ORDINARY LIFE: Awakenings in the Final Days of Apartheid is based on her overseas assignment, 1992-1994, in South Africa. She worked as a Community Liaison Officer and U.S. AID Project Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Cape Town, while on assignment with her husband, a Special Agent with the U.S. State Department. Both worked under Ambassador Princeton Lyman during the end of apartheid leading up to the first democratic elections. Since her Foreign Service experience in South Africa, Mary has yearned to share her personal stories of this tumultuous and life-changing period. After her assignment in South Africa, Mary continued her work in public affairs and special events working with NGOs, International Olympics, corporate and non-profit organizations. With a passion for international travel and adventure, Mary has lived in a dozen locations around the world. Currently, she resides in Colorado with her husband Patrick and their adopted pets. Mary returns to South Africa often. Review: Great read about an American woman's journey at the end of apartheid. This is a gripping insiders account of a moment in time. Reading this book puts you in the center of the action. Mary's journey as a newlywed and fish out of water in the 2 years leading to the end of apartheid in South Africa is compelling. She takes you on a historical and emotional roller coaster as she shares her story of her experience in the foreign service and America's role in ending apartheid. - A. Baron, Filmmaker, Presenter, Executive Producer No Ordinary Life: Awakenings in the Final Days of Apartheid was released in 2018. Mary is currently working on her next book in the trilogy series. As a freelance writer and author, she shares updates of nonfiction stories of travel and adventure on her website and through social media blogging. www.MaryAnnByron.com www.NoOrdinaryLifeMemoir.com facebook.com/NoOrdinaryLifeMemoir twitter: @GlobalEventMary"