Sexy/Dangerous (23 page)

Max and Adam were two characters I loved getting to know, and I hope you readers did as well. Wild ride, wasn’t it? Max Blake has to be one of the fiercest females I’ve ever encountered, and I hope she and Adam and little Lauren live happily ever after.

Max was born in my kitchen when a girlfriend asked why all the NIA agents had to be male. “Why can’t we have a female agent?” friend Alicia asked, and immediately Max was born. So thanks, Alicia.

The great Angolan queen Jinga, known also as Nzingha and by other accounts as Ginga, fought Portuguese slavers for thirty years. When she died on December 17, 1663, her death reportedly fueled other rulers on the continent to take up the resistance against the slave trade and European dominance—rulers such as: Madame Timbu of Nigeria; Nandi, mother of the fearless Zulu warrior, Chaka; and Dahomian King, Behanzin Bowelle and his female army. Further information on this fascinating African queen and others is just a Google click away, so enjoy reading the history.

Speaking of Zulu warrior Chaka, while I was
working on Adam and Max’s story, the 2006 Westminster Dog Show was held in New York City. To my surprise, pride, and delight, for the very first time in Westminster’s 130-year history a rottweiler took first place in the Working Group class. This was not just any rottie, folks, but one with the glorious name of Champion Carter’s Noble Shaka Zulu. So a hearty BJ shout-out goes to breeder, owner, and handler Mr. Keith Carter, a brother who during his college years played linebacker for Florida State University. I was proud watching history being made, and I know Ruby and Ossie were, too.

In closing, do you all realize that I have been spinning published stories for twelve years now? My, how time flies when you’re having fun, but no way could I have done this alone, so a big thank-you to my editor, Erika, for her patience and brilliance; my agent, Nancy, for her wisdom and great phone calls; Adrienne, Pam, Tom Egner in Art, and all the other folks at Avon and Harper for their faith in me and in my work. Last, but certainly not least, beaucoup thanks to my readers. Your love, devotion, and prayers keep me writing. Stay blessed.

See you next time,
B.