Thanks, Ann! That's a very inspiring tale. I've been a voracious reader for years (although it's slacked off somewhat with the advent of the intarwebs, which take a lot of my time). I remember discovering the Tolkien books at right about 10-12 (and I could never plow through the Silmarillion either), along with as much of Heinlein's work as I'd been able to find (I finally got the rest as I got older).  I have to say I'm really enjoying your books so far (to the point where I'm going to try Skin Game even though I don't read romances [yet, anyway]).  I like the fact that the love scenes are actually part of the plot - not the whole plot, and not thrown in round out the plot.  I also like the fact that you just just enough words to evoke the imagery in my mind, which is way sexier than just spelling it out as far as I'm concerned.  I also like the fact that the science fiction (in the Jax series) and the urban realism (in the Corine series) are solid in their own right.  The action seems right there in my mind, and when I've finished the book I feel like I've been treated to a movie, kinda.  Plus I'm always looking forward to the next book (curse those long publishing deadlines!)