Since Francis Scott Key penned “The Star-Spangled Banner,” America has been known as the land of the free and the home of the brave. But to me, the brave are our service men and women who fight for our freedom, who put their lives on the line every day to protect our country and our way of life.
Sadly, some return home severely injured, or have difficulty coping with brain trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the loss of a limb, or other issues, both mental and physical. Because of this, many of our veterans find it difficult to transition back into civilian life.
Most of us don’t serve in the military, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help those who have. Below you will find links to just a couple of the organizations that need donations and/or volunteers to assist our veterans who are trying to readjust.
Gary Sinise Foundation
Serving Honor and Need
https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/
Wounded Warrior Project
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This part of the book is always difficult for me. There are so many people who stand behind me and support me while I hole up in my office. I hope I don’t forget anyone, and if I do, please know it wasn’t intentional.
First and foremost, my family. Thank you for putting up with me and my craziness while I’m writing. You three are my world, and I wouldn’t be able to do what I love without your love and support. I love you more than anything.
My brother, thank you for your support and wisdom. I know having your “little” sister write books with sex in them isn’t what you expected I’d be doing, not to mention writing about a politician—go figure! Thanks for everything!
My beta readers Ann Marie, Jamie, Jillian, Lauren, Lisa, Liv, and Yamara, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to read for me. Your feedback, comments, suggestions, and more importantly, your honesty, were incredibly helpful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Lisa Paul, thank you for being my sounding board, but more importantly, for being a great friend! I always know I can count on you, and that means the world to me.
My sorella, Ann Marie, thank you for always being there for me and for “the bra.” You truly are one of my favorite people, and I’m so happy to have you in my life!
Erik, what can I say? I’m so very grateful to have you in my corner, and I’m blessed to call you my friend. You always have my back and I know I can count on you, which means so much to me. I think you’re the best. Much love!
My friends who always have my back, thank you for supporting me. You all do so much, and I don’t even think you realize it. Just by telling me you enjoy my writing and my characters makes me happy and keeps me going.
Madeline, you have always been there for me with wise suggestions and support. I can’t thank you enough.
Hemingway and Hawing friends, I think you all rock!
The ladies in FTN, thank you for being there with words of encouragement, making me laugh, being a sounding board, and much more.
Thank you to Enticing Journey Promotions. I appreciate all your help.
To all the bloggers, thank you for everything you do. I truly appreciate all your support. I wish I could list all of you, but that would add several more pages. Thank you for all the time you spend supporting authors and reading our stories. You take time out of your personal lives, and I am thankful.
Sommer Stein at Perfect Pear Creative Covers, you never cease to amaze me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for another beautiful cover.
Pam Berehulke at Bulletproof Editing, what can I say? I’ve been looking forward to working with you for a while now, and I’m beyond happy that it finally happened. You’re an amazing editor and an even better person. I truly appreciate you from the bottom of my heart!