Acknowledgments

IF GRATITUDE WERE A TREE, mine would resemble a giant mahogany, its branches representing the countless people who believed in and supported the creation of this series. A few deserve special recognition, no doubt more than I can do justice to here.

Paul Daniel, for being my number-one fan, most helpful critic, and for having superior plot ideas ninety percent of the time.

My beautiful girls, Ryan and Logan, for taking an interest in this project from the beginning, helping draw maps and costumes and showing your support, even when my passion for this book took from our time together.

Andrew Wolgemuth, for being willing to take yet another leap with me. Here’s to hoping for fireworks.

Don Pape, for believing, pushing, reading, and celebrating.

Nicci Jordan Hubert, your insights astound me, and your belief in this book inspired me to push up that last mountain to take this story from passable to great.

Ashley Paulus, for immersing yourself in the world of Nedé and being as excited to talk about the characters as I am. Emily Smith, for using your literary superpowers to provide such helpful critique. April Carey, for giving me a push at the right time. Tammy Tilley and Jen Schuler, for your early feedback that kept me writing. And Alicia Coogan, Amy Geer, Betsey Ekdahl, Claire Zasso, Elizabeth Hooper, Emily Marschner, Emily Weimer, Genevieve Nelson, Jen Johnson, Jenny Brannan, Jocey Pearsey, Linn VanEusen, Noël Brower, Ryan Minassian, and Sarah Bosman, for having keen eyes and incredibly helpful feedback. This book is better because of your contributions, and I am indebted!

A special thank-you to Daniel Frost, for bringing Nedé to life in one of the most beautiful book maps ever.

Wander publishing team, I’m beyond grateful for your partnership. A special thank-you to Linda Howard, for believing in this project from the beginning, and Sarah Rubio, for caring about every single detail of Nedé as much as I do. Eva Winters, for spinning your talents into this award-worthy cover. And every talented teammate who has had a hand in the creation and marketing of this book, your passion and talents inspire me.

Alycia Burton, for awakening me to the beauty of free riding, and your horse Goldrush, the inspiration for Callisto. Monty Roberts, whose inspiring story taught me the benefits of horse gentling. John Carr, for sharing your remarkable knowledge of horses and the Belizean jungle (and for lending Gold Coin, so I could ride right into it). Kassai Lajos, who blew my mind with the human capabilities of horse archery and taught me that the best horse archers are not the best riders nor the best archers; they are the people who can treat them as one. And Dr. Grant Horner: Tu es optimus.

And my deepest, most heartfelt gratitude to the One for whom this was written. Here’s my “small lunch.” Multiply it or eat it —it’s all the same to me.