China Ball's dramatic first novel, "Eleven Months of Hell," is a book about a woman that always had a goal to complete her Bachelor's degree. While stationed in Nea Makri, Greece in the United States Navy, Mercedes struggles with serving her tour of duty when her son returns to the United States to finish high school. Her intentions were to complete her 2 year tour of duty and return to the United States.

Mercedes decides to take night classes and pursue her degree when she falls in love with a charming but dysfunctional Air Force Sergeant, and takes on his drama as well as her own. Mercedes marries the Sergeant and continues her naval career when the most unexpected events happen to them. The devastation leaves Mercedes weak and drained, but she is determined to finish her Bachelor's degree. The Navy finds her medically unfit to continue service and that's when she goes on to pursue other careers at the U.S. Postal Service and federal government. She finishes her Bachelor's degree and then takes on the challenge of pursuing her Master's degree when even more drama and abuse take over her life.

Through it all Mercedes had several true and loyal but colorful friends. These friends have unique and interesting backgrounds that help her through it all. Her trials & tribulations deal with many of the social issues of today: Addiction, Alternate life styles & Promiscuous behavior are just to name a few. Despite all the challenges facing Mercedes, she is persistent and determined to get her graduate degree despite Eleven months of Hell!!!