Masked Innocence

Acknowledgments

I owe this book, and any success it has, to a team of individuals.

First and foremost—the readers. Wherever you are, whether it be curled up on your couch or in the break room at work—you rock my world. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for taking a second chance with Brad and Julia. Your time is valuable, and I am so grateful for it. I was (and still am!) a passionate reader—and I never realized my worth as a reader until I sat on this end of a book. For every friend that you share a good book with, or for every review you leave online, you grow another pair of angel wings. Thank you.

The bloggers. I don’t know how you find time for it—with work, lives and family—but you are my rock stars. As a reader, you helped me find those perfect, often-unknown gems. As a writer, you helped the readers find this story. Thank you so much for everything you do for us. You are all amazing.

My husband. Thank you for being the inspiration for Brad. It is also oh-so-helpful how you are always on hand to “inspire” me whenever the need arises. You are incorrigible and so much like me it is insane, but I love you, baby, forever and always. Thank you for giving me support and time to write, and for spoiling me incessantly.

My family. Thank you for giving me an ear when I need one, space when I need to write and advice when I don’t know what to do. You are my core support and I love you all. Most of all, thank you for not judging me for writing hot, dirty, scandalous smut.

The team. Maura Kye-Casella, you are the best agent a girl could hope for. Thank you for always being available and for never pressuring me. Emily Ohanjanians, thank you for all of your work on Blindfolded and Masked—you took those books and strengthened them in ways I couldn’t. Kate Dresser—thanks for jumping in midstream and breathing more life into Masked. You have been a dream to work with, thank you for being so flexible and insightful, all at the same time. And to the entire Harlequin HQN team—you have been brilliant, patient, helpful, timely and supportive. I feel as if I have joined a family; thank you all for taking me under your wing and showing me such love.

My God. Thank you for giving me these ridiculous, crazy ideas that somehow, when written on paper, seem to make perfect sense. Thank you for creating my soul mate and somehow making him just lovable enough to steal my heart. And thank you for keeping me focused. You keep the ideas coming, and I will keep putting them on paper.

Thank you all. Without you this book wouldn’t be the book it is today. I appreciate you all and apologize for not telling you each and every day how much you mean to me.

Sincerely,

Alessandra