Culinary Enthusiast Annette Cruz discovered her love of cooking when she was a little girl, watching carefully as her amazing mother lovingly prepared meals for her family. At nine years old, she started learning everything her mother could teach her, fascinated by the mixing and blending of ingredients and seasonings to create unique flavors. A lifetime of learning and experimentation later, her passion for cooking (and for creating new recipes to share with the people she loves) has only grown ... and has become the source of countless cherished memories. Knowing that not everyone was lucky enough to have had a role-model and mentor in the kitchen growing up, she hopes that Annette's Love-Inspired Recipes will help guide novice cooks into the culinary world and show them that creating delicious and satisfying meals doesn't ever need to be difficult or feel like a chore. Annette was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she still lives with her husband, Joe, with whom she will celebrate her fortieth wedding anniversary in October of this year, and two fur babies. Together, they have three sons, three daughters, ten grandchildren (with two more on the way), and one great-grandson. When Annette isn't cooking or creating new recipes, she enjoys crafting, party planning, and entertaining with family and friends. She also enjoys traveling and experiencing the unique cuisine of different cultures, which often serve as inspiration for new creations of her own.