Thank you, in particular, to my husband for not getting jealous of Jack (or his pinterest page!) and encouraging me and supporting me every moment. I can always count on you to tell me what I need to hear – thank you for believing in me. Always. Doesn’t Jack seem familiar to you sometimes? My kids for dealing with chicken nuggets from the freezer every other day (okay, every day). You guys are my life!
Thank you to my editor, Judy Roth. I am so grateful I found you! And you love Jack and Keri Ann as much as I do!
To my Stormy Nights girls: Not sure how I would survive without you, you keep it real—everyday. Faith Martens and Karina Knowles - you fell in love with Jack along with me, thank you. Faith makes awesome book-inspired jewelry (I have an amazing seaglass Eversea-inspired charm bracelet! www.etsy.com/shop/HulaTallulah My beta readers: Ana D’Apolito, Angelica Dawson, Melvina Davis, Carole Ronneberg, Jenny Needham, and unofficially, Sarah-Kate Bozza; All of your feedback and supportive commentary was amazing. Words from my betas like “I can’t believe this is your first book” and “I’m addicted to this story” kept me going many times when I wondered if I was deluding myself.
My sister, Cassy, who read an early draft with the view to designing the cover—I am so sad that your beautiful cover never got to see the light! Thank you for your time and care with Jack and Keri Ann. Cassy does amazing work: www.getocd.com Thank you to Adrian Repasch who stepped in as my deadlines were approaching to take over the cover. Isn’t it beautiful? His Website is: www.design-geek.com My friends and supporters on FB who have cheered me on, and Laura Carter of bookishtreasures blog and the New Adult Book Club on GoodReads—it’s champions like you that inspire people like me.
Thank you to my mother who showed me how to just be myself, and to always hold my head up high. You are beautiful.
Thank you to the mavens who paved the way in New Adult romance – Colleen Hoover, Abbi Glines, Tamara Webber, Jaime McGuire and so many more who are breaking new boundaries everyday – thank you for giving me courage. And also to J.R.Rain and H.P.Mallory and Darynda Jones. All of you inspire me.
None of his would have happened though, if I hadn’t overheard and introduced myself to two gentlemen talking in a coffee shop about their writing. They invited me to share my work with them. Too embarrassed to show them the measly short stories I’d been experimenting with, I decided to start a story that had been teasing me all summer long. Eversea was born. Al Chaput and Nick McDonald, thank you for continuing to improve my craft and inspire me every week. You took me to the next level and beyond. I am honored that you let me join you. I wouldn’t be here recognizing a life long dream without you.
Thank you to my ‘nana’ (Granny), Dorothy Magdalene Rosenfeldt. I miss you. Every day.
Finally – to all the teachers out there. There really was a teacher like Mr. Chaplin and he really did inspire a lot of children. It’s the highest calling to be a teacher ~ thank you.