The appeal of the story had already been affirmed by early readers, and I thank dear friends Harold and Jenny Beirne, Fran Harker, Sheila Peters, Marti Davis, and Shannon Brennan, who read early drafts and found them compelling enough for me to write on. My nurturing and supportive sister, Glo Swann, has always been my biggest fan. She loves to hear me read my work out loud (and I love to comply). Dan Smith publicly supported me at every opportunity and was a resource for details from moonshine and hot rods to transistor radios. Kathleen Grissom taught me to give my characters free rein to tell their own stories and to do the work. She has shared every exciting step of this publishing journey with me. Her talent and generosity are boundless.
The faith the Virginia Episcopal School community has had in my writing dream is steadfast: the Hanning family, Phil Garmey, Debbie Leake, Liz Parthemore, Mary Stuart Battle, Jen Anderson, Esther Johnson, and Jane Winston followed my progress and cheered me on. Tommy Battle and Sarah Cuccio even bought stock in my future. Cory Anderson, my video guru, took my words and made me look good.
I am forever grateful for the guidance in my early writing years by dear friends Regina Cour, Jill McDonald, and Cheryl McMillan. When I was green at the craft, they were patient beyond measure. And finally, I thank Rolland Smith, who suggested I walk this creative path, and to trust there was room in the world for another book.