Deepest thanks also to:
Everyone at Flatiron Books, especially associate editor Caroline Bleeke and vice president/director of sub-rights Kerry Nordling;
And at The Borough Press, Harper Collins UK, which acquired the first foreign rights to this book, especially Suzie Dooré; publishing director; Kate Elton, publisher; and Charlotte Cray, associate editor.
And to:
Sherri Ziff, great friend and best critical reader, willing to read everything, wanting to read anything.
Atienne Benitez DeConcillis and Ginger Buccino Mahon, whose friendships mean so much to me.
Michael Stewart, for being the good man that you are, and the dearest of friends.
David Smith, for all that we share in our strong and generous friendship.
Tikka Yashvir Chand, a lovely and kind man, who informed one of the characters.
Dr. D. P. Singh, for the Hindi translations.
James Lloyd Davis and MaryAnne Kolton, early and enthusiastic readers, so generous of heart, time, and spirit.
And to:
Herbert and Annette Wolas, all-around fantastic parents, loving, supportive, and fearless, who have always said, “We can handle whatever you write.”
My sisters, Collette and Claudine, and their families, the Rasmussens and the Shivas, who have happily followed my writing life.
Eli and Ava, my bonus children, thank you for being in my life and allowing me to be in yours.
David and Anita Dickes, my FIL and MIL, who cheer me on.
Ming Wolas, Pearl Wolas, and Henry Wolas Dickes, who spent and spend much time sitting quietly while I work, watching the sentences come and go.
And to:
Michael Dickes, my brilliant husband, who illuminates all that he creates, makes his own words sing, his own images fly, who adores nearly all of the words that I write. A short story brought us together, and how lucky we are that those particular words spelled true love. NC, NL, ND, ND.
And to every bookseller and every reader of this book, my most enormous thanks to you.