Text

house sat on the trail just like Honor’s did. I ran on the trail one morning alone. I got about a mile into my run and realized that I could be kidnapped at any moment and no one would know. I spent the rest of my run trying not to pee my pants and peering into the heavy trees and bushes that lined the path.

True story.

I never ran alone again. I did walk with my dogs and kids and my husband. It is an absolutely gorgeous area. The roads are narrow and curvy. I got carsick every time we went somewhere for like the first month we lived there. One time we went to Wal-Mart using the GPS to give us directions… It took us over a mountain (like the one Nathan drives up to find Honor) and there was literally a sign that said, “Drive at your own risk.”

I stopped shopping at Wal-Mart when we lived there. Ha ha hahahaha.

Honor is a writer like me. So I could identify with that as well. I also have a little dog that is the love of my life. I wanted to name her Lucy. My daughter wanted to name her Cocoa. Her name is Cocoa. LOL. But that’s okay. It fits her really well.

So I guess really what I’m getting at is that this book is sort of born of my own life. The location, the house, Nathan’s profession (a Marine), and Honor’s profession, the dog, the trail… writing about it all came naturally to me.

Oh, and I really like apple pie.

The homemade piecrust recipe that I put in the back is actually my great grandmother’s recipe. It’s a family recipe. My mom makes it really good. I’m like the worst pie crust maker ever. I can bake, but pie crust is not my thing. I always buy it. Ha ha. While I was writing this book, I made two apple pies all because of Nathan.

So that’s how this book came about. I really hope you enjoy it as much as I do. The cover, the story… it really became a love affair for me. I hope it does well out there in the world.

I would like to acknowledge Regina Wamba for creating this cover. It is my favorite cover to date. Something about it just speaks to me. Thank you, Regina, for making it and for putting up with my crazy messages about how much I love it.

I’d like to thank the model, Matt Hansen, who is pictured on the cover. Matt, you’re hot. And you take an awesome cover photo.

To Cassie McCown, my personal book doctor, who whipped this book into shape, got rid of all my gibberish (and let me tell you, some of the sentences I wrote made no sense), and polished up the story the way it deserved. You’re a great editor and I love working with you.

To Sharon Kay, my formatter. Thank you for always getting the formatting done in a timely manner. Thank you for making the inside of the books look as great as the outside.

I’m a lucky girl to have such a great team of people around me.

Of course, thank you to my family. My husband, who answered all my military questions and to my kids, who let me work when I needed to.

Finally, to all YOU, the readers, the fans… I wouldn’t be able to keep publishing and writing if you weren’t there to read it and support me. I’ll be forever grateful.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get back to writing Tipsy. Julie and Blue have been very patient.

ALSO CHECK OUT THESE EXTRAORDINARY AUTHORS & BOOKS:

Alivia Anders ~ Illumine

Cambria Hebert ~ Death Escorts Series (Recalled & Charmed)

Angela Orlowski Peart ~ Forged by Greed

Julia Crane ~ Freak of Nature

J.A. Huss ~ Tragic

Cameo Renae ~ Hidden Wings

A.J. Bennett ~ Now or Never

Tabatha Vargo ~ Playing Patience

Beth Balmanno ~ Set in Stone

Lizzy Ford ~ Zoey Rogue

Ella James ~ Selling Scarlett

Tara West ~ Visions of the Witch

Heidi McLaughlin ~ Forever Your Girl

Melissa Andrea ~ The Edge of Darkness

Komal Kant ~ Falling for Hadie

Melissa Pearl ~ Golden Blood

Alexia Purdy ~ Breathe Me

L.P. Dover ~ Love’s Second Chance

Sarah M. Ross ~ Inhale, Exhale

Brina Courtney ~ Reveal

Amber Garza ~ Tripping Me Up

Anna Cruise ~ Maverick

Praise for the Take It Off series

'I love all of Cambria's books, but Torch is one if my favorites by her so far. Holt and Katie have chemistry like no other. There was a perfect mixture of steam, passion, and romance.'

- New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Shanora Williams for TORCH

'Cam was so swoon-worthy. He was everything I look for in a book boyfriend. He was hot, sexy, had a little bad boy edge, but he was also protective and loving. The mystery was also a great element. It kept me flipping the pages quickly to figure it out. And when it was revealed it was shocking.'

- Best-selling Author Amber Garza for TEASE

'All Hail the New Queen of HOT Romance! New My favorite romance of the last year. I adore this book. Nash & Ava...such a great story. I think I may have a new book boyfriend. This is a true romance story, but it mixes in danger, deception & desire.'

-Author Kieran Thorne for TEMPT

“TEXT kept me up late turning pages. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. With lovable characters and a tight suspense plot, this is a great weekend read!”

- Bestselling author Ella James for TEXT

“A new storyline that grabs you from page one and twists you into a action packed ride full of danger and romance!”

– USA Today Bestselling author Tabatha Vargo for TEXT

'Let me be clear--of the 1001 ways to die, burning would NOT be my first choice. However, a house consumed with flames and no chance of saving yourself equals RESCUE FANTASY FULFILLED.'

- Scandalicious Book Reviews for TORCH