When author, speaker and scriptwriter Allison Gappa Bottke walks into a room, sparks fly. Erudite, imaginative, and outspoken this contemporary Christian entrepreneur is generating a real buzz in both the publishing and entertainment communities. A born maverick, Allison challenges the traditional parameters of Christian short story compilations, defy crafting a collection of inspirational and often controversial true stories by contributors from around the globe.

Never one to impose limits on her creative instincts or to shy away from a challenge, she is certain to rouse people out of their complacency with true stories touching on controversial issues such as divorce, domestic violence, addiction, abortion and death. Appropriately titled; GOD ALLOW U-TURNS, True Stories of Hope and Healing, published by Promise Press, and imprint of Barbour Publishing and in association with Alive Communications, Inc. Volume one premieres at CBA in July, 2001 and volume two will be pre-released in October 2001. Additional volumes yearly thereafter.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Allison came of age during the 70's when at the age of 15 she ran away from home and married a young man whose abuse nearly ended her life. Divorced and a mother at the age of 16, her indefatigable spirit saw her through three decades of turmoil and addiction before she came to know the Lord.

"I believe in my heart the Lord wanted me to live in a turbulent life so I could stand as a firm witness that no sin is too great that you can't turn around. I'm a literal U-Turn Poster Girl!"

Allison has worked, over the past two decades, as a professional fund-raiser for non-profit organizations and as a freelance writer. Over the years, her work has appeared in many national and international magazines. As President of the GOD ALLOW U-TURNS project, Allison has developed a g rowing outreach ministry focused on encouragement through 2 Corinthians 5:17. The U-Turn Project encompasses the book series, a non-profit foundation, and a complete line of logo gift merchandise and other ventures currently under development.

Readers may also recognize Allison as one of the country's first full figure fashion models represented by the Wilhelmina Agency in the early 1980's. Additionally, an international entertainment company once optioned the rights to her life story for a made-for-television movie, a life story you my recognize from Allison's writing and public appearances over the years. In fact, it is her personal life-changing testimony that opened the door for GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS to be born.

You can read more about Allison Gappa Bottke and the exciting projects currently in development, on her website at: www.godallowsuturns.com.