Dr. Valerie Blakeney Cruse is the author of three books: Church Folk Too, Waiting, Dating, or Mating, and Petals of a Woman's Heart. She earned her Doctorate of Theology from Life Christian University. She has two children, Derek Martinas Blakeney (deceased) and Tachala Cruse Hill. She has five grandchildren, Johnathan Blakeney, Joshua Isaiah George, Samuel David Hill, II, Derek Blakeney, Jr., and Shia Elishia DeVeigh Hill. Dr. Valerie Blakeney Cruse has taken the Word of God along with the wit and wisdom of her grandmother and ministers to many in everyday life. She resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.