The buzz around the series in Scotland has been crazy, surreal and awesome, and I have the kind, enthusiastic, indefatigable Moira MacMillan to thank for much of it. Thank you, Moira. You’ve gone above and beyond, kept my nerves company, and been a very good friend to have through this transition. Anyone who can make me laugh when I’m nervous as hell is a keeper!
To the teams at New American Library and Michael Joseph: Thank you to every single person who has contributed to this series. You’ve helped make a dream a reality.
I’ve always had so much respect for book bloggers and how much time and creativity they put into the love of a book. I want to say a massive thank-you to the ladies at Heroes & Heartbreakers, Smexy Books Romance Reviews, the Christian Grey Fan Page, and the SubClub Books for helping spread the word about these characters. You might just be better than chocolate!
There are also readers out there whose support blows my mind. I wish I could list them all, but if I did, we’d be here forever (and that in itself is an awesome thing that I am so grateful for), so I’d like to thank one in particular who has really touched me with her enthusiasm for my work. Trish Patel Brinkley: Lady, you freaking rock! Thank you for your kindness, generosity and consideration. I love my Keep Calm and Kiss Braden mug and will cherish it always.
Life is hectic these days, and it’s nice to be able to turn to people who understand. To my fellow authors Shelly Crane, Amy Bartol, Michelle Leighton, Georgia Cates, Quinn Loftis, Angeline Kace and Rachel Higginson, thank you for your friendship, insights, advice, genuine support, love and appreciation. To Tiffany King, you are awesome. Your tweets of support are a highlight of my week. And a huge thank-you to Tammy Blackwell. Tammy, it’s brilliant to find someone who shares the same weird sense of humour and enjoyment of numerical lists, but rare to really ‘get’ someone when all you have to rely on is words on a screen. Your friendship and support have meant a lot to me, and I can’t wait to meet you so intonation can finally play a part in our exchanges.
Last but by no means least I want to thank my family and friends for having my back always.
Mum and Dad: Your unwavering belief in me astounds me. I feel lucky every day to call you my parents and two of my best friends. I love you lots.
David: I’m glad we made it through those argumentative childhood years only to come out great friends at the end of it. When you tell me you’re proud of me, I feel ten feet tall. I probably don’t say it enough, but I love you, big bro.
Deeanne: Thank you for being a friend through all this craziness. I appreciate it more than you know.
Shanine: You, my oldest friend, are one of the most genuine people I have ever known. I’m proud to know you, and I can’t tell you how much your love and unbending support have meant to me over the years.
Kate McJ: My beautiful, intelligent and wonderfully mad friend. Thank you for being you and thank you for allowing me to be me. I’ll be forever grateful to that Ong Bak poster we bonded over.
And to Ashleen: We tend to see the world the same way, you and I, and there’s nothing more magical or reassuring than that. Moreover, I think you just might be the busiest person I know, and yet you somehow manage to make time to be there for me. Thank you, hon. It means the world.
To you, my reader: You’ve changed my world, and for that, I am eternally grateful to you. Thank you.