Sultry with a Twist (26 page)

Sultry
with
a
Twist
would probably be sitting on my hard drive if it weren’t for the support of several dedicated guides who helped me navigate the winding road to publication.

First, to my amazing agent, Nicole Resciniti, thank you for falling in love with my characters and for taking a chance on their creator—a slightly neurotic newbie with no pub credits. I’m still in awe of the way you “finessed” me into bringing this book from category-length to single title. You’re a genius—literally!—and I’m so grateful to have found you.

A huge thanks to my editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, for giving June and Luke a loving home, and for making their story shine. Additional thanks to assistant editor Aubrey Poole and publicist Danielle Jackson. Big, squishy hugs to my critique partners, Carey Corp, who promised to never let me fail, and Lorie Langdon, who talked me down from the ledge by continually reminding me, “These are
good
problems to have.” Girls, I’m not sure I would’ve even made it to the query stage without your encouragement. More hugs to my sisters at the Ohio Valley Romance Writers of America for their advice and cheerleading along the way. As Linda Keller said, “You’ll come for the writing, but you’ll stay for the writers.”

I’m grateful to my online buds at The Nest—the NBC Writers—for helping me with everything from plot brainstorming to query critiques. Our weekly check-ins and your pompom-waving motivated me more than you know. You ladies rock. Another thank you to my awesome “agency sisters.” I’m so glad we found each other.

Much appreciation to my friends—you continue to amaze me with the depth of your support, especially you, Heather. Sometimes I think you’re happier for me than I am, and I love you for it. Donna, I can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve done. Next time we get together, drinks are on me!

Last, but obviously not least, much love to my family, who make all things possible. Mom and Dad, thank you for fostering the lifelong love of reading that led me to this career. I won the cosmic lottery when I landed with the two of you. Also, I hope you skipped the dirty parts when you read my book, but if you didn’t, then lie to me and say you did. To my siblings, thanks for the laughs. In fact, it was a slap-happy writing session with my sister, Jamie, that prompted me to name my heroine Mae-June July Augustine and give her an incontinent, three-legged cat.

Hugs and kisses to my kids, who are
not
allowed to read this book until I’m dead. Thank you for putting up with the never-ending supply of Little Caesar’s pizza that sustained us when Mommy was busy writing. And to my husband Steve, all my love and gratitude for being a true hero: kind, honest, selfless, and supportive. Luke Gallagher has nothing on you, babe.

Macy Beckett is an unrepentant escapist who left teaching to write hot and humorous romances. No offense to her former students, but her new career is way more fun! She lives just outside Cincinnati in the appropriately named town of Loveland, Ohio, with her husband and three children.
Sultry
with
a
Twist
is her debut romance.

For sneak peeks and giveaways, please visit her on the web at
www.macybeckett.com
, and don’t forget to say hello on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.

Available in March, Trey’s story:
A Shot of Sultry

Golden boy Trey Lewis, with his blond hair and Technicolor-blue eyes, is a leading man if Bobbi ever saw one. He’s strong and confident and—much to her delight—usually shirtless. He thinks keeping his best friend’s baby sister out of trouble will be easy. But he has no idea of the trouble in store for
him
…