My deepest thanks go out to my very first readers: Stephanie, Mary, and Jan. It couldn’t have been easy reading such a rough story, but your encouragement was all the motivation I needed to pursue this new career of mine (and seek some much-needed training!). And this book also wouldn’t have stood a chance if not for the critiques I received from the following writer-friends: Kathleen McRae, Kristine Krantz, Kimberly Lesczcuk, and Jennette Marie Powell. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! To my editor, Paige Christian: Thank you for helping this story be the best it can be (even through my griping). Lastly, no book is complete without readers and if you’re reading this book—THANK YOU! I hope you get as much joy from reading it as I did from writing it.