When I was first looking for an agent, well over two years ago, or is it three? Three I think. Anyway, I was reading agent blogs and Rachel Vater was on my list of ones to check daily. One day, she posted an excerpt from a book by her writer, Eileen Cook. I laughed and laughed! What made me hunt up Eileen’s website though was that her book was about an American living in Vancouver, BC and I was in the process of emigrating to Canada.

I contacted Eileen and we hit it off right away. She has been a best friend to me over the years, helping me through the agent search, critiquing my manuscripts, talking me off ledges when the biz got so annoying I thought I couldn’t stand it one more day. I like to think that I’ve done the same for her at times too.

We live only one long ferry ride away from each other now, but we still don’t get to see each other much. However, we talk almost every day via email. Sometimes several times a day. And there’s the phone for congratulations calls, and good news, and to say, “I care” when the heartbreaking news comes too. If I hadn’t gotten to know my husband in a long distance relationship, based mostly on email, I never would’ve believed I could make such a dear friend this way. I am so blessed to know Eileen.

I hope you all will join me in wishing this extraordinary woman, another pea in my pod of friends, a very

I love you, my pea! Have a wonderful day!