“She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.” Those were the words of Mitch McConnell after he banned Senator Elizabeth Warren from speaking on the floor of the United States Senate. In reaction to the bitter partisanship in Trump’s United States of America, nineteen Book View Café authors celebrate women who persist through tales of triumph—in the past, present, future, and other worlds. From the halls of Ancient Greece to the vast space between stars, each story illustrates tenacity as women overcome challenges—from society, from beloved family and friends, and even from their own fears. These strong heroines explore the humor and tragedy of persistence in stories that range from romance to historical fiction, from fantasy to science fiction. From tale to tale, every woman stands firm: a light against the darkness. Table of Contents: “Daughter of Necessity” by Marie Brennan “Sisters” by Leah Cutter “Unmasking the Ancient Light” by Deborah J. Ross “Alea Iacta Est” by Marissa Doyle “How Best to Serve” from A Call to Arms by P.G. Nagle “After Eden” by Gillian Polack “Reset” by Sara Stamey “A Very, Wary Christmas” by Katharine Eliska Kimbriel “Making Love” by Brenda Clough “Den of Iniquity” by Irene Radford “Digger Lady” by Amy Sterling Casil “Tumbling Blocks” by Mindy Klasky “The Purge” by Jennifer Stevenson “If It Ain’t Broke” by Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff “Chataqua” by Nancy Jane Moore “Bearing Shadows” by Dave Smeds “In Search of Laria” by Doranna Durgin “Tax Season” by Judith Tarr “Little Faces” by Vonda N. McIntyre