I am so lucky to have the family that I have. Without them, I could never write the books that I do. I am so grateful for each and every one of you—there aren’t even words to express how much you mean to me.
Without my rock star of an agent, this book would not be in your hands. Big hugs of love and gratitude to Kevan Lyon for taking a chance on some random lady from Alabama! I am so grateful to Kelly Simmon of InkSlinger PR for connecting us! Thanks, KP! Without Amanda Bergeron’s tireless efforts and unfailing ability to see even more potential in my characters than I did, this book wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable as I hope you found it to be. Thank you, Amanda, for your patience and for your faith in me.
I have lots of teary hugs saved up for the ladies on the marketing team at HarperCollins as well! Thank you, ladies, for your enthusiasm and support. I can’t even begin to describe how amazed I am by the art department and the perfection that they create. I am so excited to be a part of the Avon/William Morrow family. Speaking of which, I have to thank the sweet ladies who were so kind to me at RWA, many of whom made time in their own hectic writing schedules to read this novel. Thank you Jennifer Armentrout, Candis Terry, Jennifer Ryan, Cora Carmack, and Jay Crownover. I can’t describe what it felt like to meet so many authors I admired, not to mention knowing that they were reading my words. (There was a lot of wine and anxiety medication involved.)
Thank you to the cover model, Louise, and photographer Mark Hare, for allowing us to use this image for the cover. I think I stared at it for a month straight.
I have a fabulous street team, the #BackwoodsBelles, made up of some of the most amazing ladies that I am beyond blessed to know. The same could be said for my beta reading group, CQ’s Road Crew. I don’t know what I did to deserve such a wonderful support system, but I’m glad I did it. Thank you, ladies, for always having my back!
Several of my critique partners were an essential part of making this novel the best that it could be. Elizabeth Lee and Emily Tippetts, thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my hideous first drafts and for your honest feedback. Elizabeth, thank you for naming the band and for the hours on end you let me talk this series out over the phone.
I have a few other first-round readers that I have to send a tremendous thank you to. Amy, Erica, Chelcie, Jaclyn, Stephanie, Tricia, Marie, Kristy, Kelly, Mickey, Natalie, Jenna, Leah, and Rahab, y’all are precious to me and I love each of you! Just as I love and appreciate all of you who take the time to read and review books and blog and post about them. There aren’t enough thank-yous in the world to say how much I appreciate y’all!