Annaliese Darr/Ann DeFee is an award winning author of eleven novels and one novella under various Harlequin imprints. Her debut book, A Texas State of Mind (2005) was a double finalist in the national Romance Writers' of America's prestigious RITA contest and a Romantic Times nominee for Best First Series Book. In addition, Summer After Summer (2007) won the national Book Buyers' Best Long Contemporary contest. Ann's academic credentials include a Master of Arts degrees in Political Science and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning. She lives in Virginia and her hobbies include travel, tennis, bowling, and visiting Colonial and Civil War historical sites.