Мария Снайдер - Fire Study - Study 03

“The night has just begun.” He pulled my shirt off. “Plenty of time to take care of my lady before I run her errand.”

His lips found mine, then he nuzzled my neck. “I must.” He paused to place a line of kisses down my chest. “Help my lady.” He picked me up and laid me down. “To bed.”

Then he removed the rest of my garments and all concerns about the glass prisons disappeared as Valek’s caress took control of my senses. My entire being focused on the musky smell and smooth feel of him. My lungs filled with Valek’s breath. My heart pumped Valek’s blood. I thought his thoughts and shared his pleasure.

The feelings of contentment, peace and joy flowed through our bodies. Locked tight together, we owned a piece of the sky.

By this time you all should know how wonderful my husband, Rodney, can be. After all, I have thanked him and listed the many ways he supports me in the acknowledgments of my first two books. However, the writing wouldn’t get done and the holes in plot logic wouldn’t get filled without him. So once again, thanks go to him, because I don’t ever want to take him for granted. And thanks also go to my two little sparks who fire my imagination—my children, Luke and Jenna.

One of the best decisions I’ve made is to attend Seton Hill University’s graduate writing program. Through this program I’ve learned so much and met a talented group of writers. Thanks to them all, and special thanks go to my critique partners, Diana Botsford, Kimberley Howe and Jason Jack Miller, who helped me with this book. Kim, I hope this reads better than the ingredients on a frozen dinner! I would also like to thank my Seton Hill mentor, David Bischoff.

First drafts of novels can be pretty rough, but my editor, Mary-Theresa Hussey, has the knowledge and experience to wade in and guide me to calmer waters. Thanks, Matrice, for all your hard work and the smiley faces on my manuscript. They keep me going!

Thanks go to my excellent agent, Robert Mecoy, who has taught me so much about the publishing business and about how important it is to have a knowledgeable agent on your side. Many thanks to Erin Craig, who turned up the heat for this beautiful cover.

Researching for a book is always fun, and this time I enrolled in a glassblowing class. My appreciation for glass art rose considerably as I struggled to craft simple items from molten glass. Thanks go to my teacher and glass artist Helen Tegeler, whose patient instruction not only added to my knowledge of glass for this book, but made the experience a blast.