I want to thank each and every one of you for helping make THE PLEASURE OF YOUR KISS my latest bestseller! The book has already been nominated for a "Seal of Excellence" from Romantic Times magazine and received several stellar reviews including this one from Romance Junkies that says "Absolutely delicious! Grabs your attention from the very first sentence and doesn’t let go until the really delightful ending. It will have you laughing, crying and even blushing. Charming, well-drawn characters, humor, tender love scenes, sizzling hot situations, a sexy, exotic setting, fast-paced adventure, plot twists and surprises. Do not miss this enchanting romp!"

Next to the romance between Ash and Clarinda in THE PLEASURE OF YOUR KISS, my favorite relationship in the book is probably the friendship between Clarinda and Poppy. If you are as blessed as I am to have strong female friendships in your life, then you know exactly what a gift they can be.

My dear friend and fellow romance author Eloisa James has given me many gifts since we first met—bottles of gourmet balsamic vinaigrette from Italy, a sympathetic ear, late night giggles, wardrobe tape to keep vital body parts from spilling out of my dress at romance award banquets. But since I don't have any little girls of my own, the most precious gift she's shared with me is her daughter Anna.  

Eloisa shared Anna with me long before I had the pleasure of meeting her. Anna was born prematurely, which affected her kidneys and resulted in numerous hospitalizations when she was small. But nothing could daunt her mischievous spirit and Eloisa loved to share stories about Anna's (mis)adventures as well as give me the opportunity to pray for her whenever her kidneys—and that spirit—began to flag. When Anna was five, I flew to New York for the annual RWA conference and finally got to meet her. She was an impish little sprite who was even more enchanting than I had envisioned. She spent most of our lunch that day sitting on my lap, chattering happily away about absolutely everything and nothing at all.  

Although it's hard for me to believe, Anna is now a beautiful (and healthy) teenager who adores Justin Bieber and has recently decided she likes to read romance. While you're out shopping for THE PLEASURE OF YOUR KISS, I urge you to pick up a copy of THE DUKE IS MINE, Eloisa's fabulous new historical, as well. You'll discover that Eloisa is just as generous with her warmth and wit on the page as she is in real life and THE DUKE IS MINE is the perfect gift you can give yourself!

If you've already read THE PLEASURE OF YOUR KISS, I hope you enjoyed meeting Clarinda and Poppy and that they inspired you to celebrate the gift of friendship in your own life!

God bless,

Teresa