I have some Amish friends whom I dearly love, and I so admire their homes and their children. I tried to present a balance in this story, though much of Hannah’s longing for her Amish family springs from my own peace when I’m in their home. They have such contentment there. Watching their children interact with only love and no fighting is a real joy. So thank you, my friends (you know who you are), and I wish you God’s blessings always.
I couldn’t create the stories you enjoy, Readers, without my Thomas Nelson family: fiction publisher Allen Arnold, Superman to those of us who love him, and even more than that, a man who lights up the room he enters; senior editor Ami McConnell, who had fabulous insight and suggestions for this book, as always, and who blesses me with her awesome ability and friendship; editor Natalie Hanemann, my friend and a budding Ami with an eye for good fiction; marketing director Jennifer Deshler, who is the most creative marketing person I know and a friend who is always looking out for my best interests; marketing specialist Bekah Quillan, who partners with Jen and me in coming up with great ideas; fabulous cover guru Mark Ross (you so rock!), who works hard to create the perfect cover and does it every single time; fellow Hoosier Lisa Young, who lends a shoulder to cry on when needed; my sweet Amanda Bostic, who is still my friend even though she doesn’t work on my books anymore; and my freelance editor Erin Healy, whose magic touch on my books is the glue that holds us all together. I love you all more than I can say. And I’m thrilled that Erin is writing! Look for her name on a book with Ted Dekker soon and buy it.
I had some great input on the Swiss Amish by Joe and Frances Schwartz— they even yodeled for me! Thanks so much for your help. My thanks to the Rockville Sheriff’s Department for answering stupid questions.
Writing can be a lonely business, but God has blessed me with great writing friends and critique partners. Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter make up the Girls Write Out squad (www.GirlsWriteOut.blogspot.com). I couldn’t make it through a day without my peeps! And another one of those is Robin Miller, president of ACFW (www.acfw.com), who spots inconsistencies in a suspense plot with an eagle eye. Thanks to all of you for the work you do on my behalf and for your friendship. Special thanks to Karen Solem, Mel and Cheryl Hodde (Hannah Alexander), Cara Putman, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt, who helped me brainstorm this book one crazy night at CBA Advance in Indianapolis. The title was Mel’s brainchild.
I have a super supportive family that puts up with my crazy work schedule. My husband, Dave, carts me around from city to city, washes towels, and runs to fetch dinner without complaint. Thanks, honey! I couldn’t do anything without you. My son and daughter-in-law, Dave and Donna Coble, and my daughter, Kara Coble, as well as my new grandsons, James and Jorden Packer, love and support me in every way possible. Love you guys! And thanks to my parents, George and Peggy Rhoads; my brothers, Rick and Dave Rhoads; their wives, Mary and Teresa; and my “other parents,” Carroll and Lena Coble. One of them is often the first to hear a new idea, and they never laugh at me. Love you all!
Most important, I give my thanks to God, who has opened such amazing doors for me and makes the journey a golden one.
I love to hear from readers! Drop me an e-mail at [email protected] and check out my Web site at www.colleencoble.com. There’s a forum to chat about books, and I try to stop in often, since books are my favorite things in the world. Thank you all for spending your most precious commodity—time—with me and my stories.