Thanks to Ms. Meg Ruley, Rebecca Scherer, and the team at the Jane Rotrosen Agency. They’ve been guiding me for my entire career, and at times I’m sure it felt like a parent guiding a teenager. I’ve had my ups and downs, but they’ve stuck by me through it all and kept me moving forward with relentless enthusiasm and optimism. I just can’t say thanks enough.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer. This is novel five in the Tracy Crosswhite series and my sixth novel with the team, but it never feels old. They’re always looking for new ways to promote my work and to get my novels into the hands of as many readers as possible. As an author, that’s all I’ve ever asked for, a chance to be read.
Thanks to Sarah Shaw, author relations, who always makes me feel special. The post office has threatened to close my PO box if I don’t get down there and pick up all the packages she sends. These are terrific surprises, and my family and I greatly enjoy them.
Thanks to Sean Baker, head of production, and to Laura Barrett, production manager. I’ve said this before, but I love the covers and the titles of each of my novels, and I have them to thank. Thanks to Justin O’Kelly, the head of PR, and to Dennelle Catlett, Amazon Publishing PR, for all the work promoting me and my novels. Thanks to publisher Mikyla Bruder, associate publisher Galen Maynard, and Jeff Belle, vice president of Amazon Publishing.
Special thanks to Thomas & Mercer’s editorial director, Gracie Doyle. My novels usually start with a lunch with Gracie at which I say that I have a couple different ideas. Then I begin to lay out those plots. Gracie analyzes them and helps me find the plot with the most emotional bang. From there, I’m off to the races. When I’m done, Gracie is the first to read the novel and help me bring the idea to life. So, once again, thanks, Gracie, for your direction on the story, thanks for your editorial suggestions, and thanks for your friendship. I’m truly glad to have you leading my team.
Special thanks to Charlotte Herscher, developmental editor. This is our sixth book together and she has made me infinitely better. At times I can hear Charlotte in my head asking for more character development and I try my best to heed that call because her advice is spot-on. Thanks to Sara Addicott, production editor, and Scott Calamar, copyeditor. When you recognize a weakness it is a wonderful thing—because then you can ask for help. Grammar and punctuation were never my strengths, and it’s nice to know I have the best looking out for me.
Thanks to Tami Taylor, who runs my website, and creates my newsletters and some of my foreign-language book covers. I ask Tami for help and she gets things done quickly and efficiently. Thanks to Pam Binder and the Pacific Northwest Writers Association for their support of my work. Thanks to Seattle 7 Writers, a nonprofit collective of Pacific Northwest authors who foster and support the written word.
Thanks to you, the readers, for finding my novels, and for your incredible support of my work. Thanks for posting your reviews and for e-mailing me to let me know you’ve enjoyed them—always a writer’s highlight.
Special thanks to Bob Grassilli, Serra High School Class of 1966, and David Bakhtiari, Serra High School Class of 2009, for making generous donations to the Serra High School “Fund a Dream” program. One of the cool things I get to do is auction off the name of a character in my novels to raise money for worthy charities. Serra High School is my alma mater, and the “Fund a Dream” program raises money to provide scholarships to kids in need. Serra has produced notable alumni like NFL Super Bowl MVPs Lynn Swann and Tom Brady, MLB’s Barry Bonds and Jim Fregosi, scholars such as New York Times–bestselling author John Lescroart, and the preeminent portrait photographer in the world, Michael Collopy. Bob Grassilli is the former mayor of San Carlos and David Bakhtiari plays left tackle for the Green Bay Packers. Thanks to both of you for your generosity.
I’ve had a great year professionally, but a little less great personally. My wife, Cristina, and I are learning how to let go of our children and send them off to college. When you’re blessed with two of the best kids a parent could ask for, that’s a tough thing. So thanks to my son, Joe, and to my daughter, Catherine—you’ve given this guy more fun than he has had a right to experience. I’ll never forget traveling in London with Joe, who I am convinced was born with radar. That kid can find a restaurant or a pub with just one look at a map. Astonishing. And Catherine continues to make us all laugh. She’s promised to take care of her daddy when he becomes old and senile. What more could a guy want?
The person who holds all this together is Cristina. How blessed am I that I get to publicly thank her each time I complete a novel? She’s stood by me through the ups and downs, and her support has never wavered. So this past Christmas, 2016, I gave her the gift she’d waited for ever so patiently during our twenty-two years of marriage. She knows what it is, and it is as beautiful as she. Forever and a Day, with you.