The first inspiration
Maria
Maria is not in this book by chance.
She carries the name—and the spirit—of the person who taught me from an early age that caring for others is an act of courage.
My mother taught me that love is not measured in words, but in quiet actions: reaching out, welcoming those in need, and doing what is right even when no one is watching. Many of the animals who passed through our home found a second chance only because she could never say "no" to someone who needed help.
She was also the one who introduced me to reading as a child. She used to tell me how she would find discarded books and bring them home. Without realizing it, she planted in me the belief that stories can transform lives—just as a single act of kindness can transform an animal’s life.
In many ways, The Caramel Princess is also a tribute to her—the woman who taught me to care, to dream, and to believe that small acts of love can change the world.
