Metsy Hingle is the national #1 best-selling author of more than twenty novels. Known for creating powerful and passionate stories, Metsy’s own life reads like the plot of a romance novel–from her early years in a New Orleans’ orphanage and foster care to her long, happy marriage to her husband Jim and the rearing of their four children. With more than three million copies of her books in print, Metsy’s novels frequently appear on national bestseller lists and have been published in twenty-four foreign countries. Her novels have also garnered a number of awards–including the R.W.A.’s Golden Heart Award, the Texas Gold Award, the Golden Quill Award, two Beacon Awards and two W.I.S.H. Awards from Romantic Times Magazine, as well as multiple Reviewer’s Choice and Career Achievement nominations from Romantic Times. Despite the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and the devastating personal losses in the Hingle family, Metsy’s home in Louisiana is safe and sound. Metsy says there was never any question that she would return and be a part of the rebirth of her beloved city. To that end, Metsy has pledged 10% of her earnings from “BLACK SILK” to the New Orleans area Habitat for Humanity. To learn more about Metsy’s pledge, visit her website at www.metsyhingle.com. Metsy resides across the lake from New Orleans with her husband and a bossy toy poodle named Molly Brown. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.