My Mom,

My mom was a romance reader from way back, so when I sold my first book, she was ecstatic. Though she died a few months before its February '97 release, the last time I saw her, she surprised me with two teddy bears that she had planned to costume as the hero and heroine of FOR MY LADY'S KISS. She was too gravely ill to finish the gift, so asked me to be sure to dress them for her some day. The pair are still naked, except for their neck ribbons, but they watch over me from their places on my bookcases. I know, I know, Mom. But I've got to do my homework first!!!!

She was the greatest. A loving wife, mother, almost scratch-bowler, hairdresser, fisherman, and was even a welder in the Long Beach Naval Shipyards during WWII--who lost her sight in a welding accident for three weeks, AND later set a record for burning a ship free of its slip-restraints for its maiden launch; a carrot-topped dynamo who left me a legacy of independent thoughts and unshakable confidence in myself that has carried me through my life. Thanks, Mom. Wavin' kisses up to you!