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The road to this book has been a long journey, so thank you to everyone who has allowed me to talk about Shadow Creek with them. Without the contests at Romance Writers of Australia and Romance Writers of New Zealand, I’d never have been able to develop this story into something I’m proud of, so thank you to these organisations and the readers who provided invaluable feedback. Thank you to the publishers who considered this novel for your encouragement. This may not have been a story you could take on, but your interest in my work boosted my confidence. Thank you to the Queensland Writers Centre and Lori-Jay Ellis for the advice I received during the 2021 Publishable program and for boosting my courage. Thank you Belinda Pollard and Edwina Shaw for your assessments and advice.
This book wouldn’t have been possible without my local writing network. Thank you to those who attend my popular fiction workshops for your support and encouragement. Guiding you towards achieving your writing dreams brings me such joy. Thank you to my readers Linda Wright, Barbara Strickland, Deeanna West, Jill Staunton, and Mum.
Jill Staunton, I will always be grateful for you. Your advice and friendship over the years has transformed me as a writer. Thank you for being the person I can turn to and trust for guidance and a confidence boost. You’ve gifted me that time and time again. Home Among the Palm Trees wouldn’t be the same without you.
Thank you Linda and Deeanna for your support as I’ve bounced ideas off you and constantly sought your advice. I value my friendship with you both and wouldn’t have had the courage to do this without you.
Mum. There is no good place to start. Thank you for being by my side throughout this journey and for encouraging me to pursue my writing dream. You’ve been there from the beginning with this book, from the moment I wanted to write about two people who fell in love over their mutual love of border collies. Thank you for telling me, ‘He can’t kidnap the dog! The dog won’t know what’s going on! Kidnap the woman!’, which created the theme of this story. Thank you for helping me build this small town, Shadow Creek, and for naming the Maguire family. You’ve heard this story many times, have helped me plot this series, and it wouldn’t be the same without you. Thank you for holding my hand during the tough times and for enjoying all the happy moments with me. I wouldn’t have been able to independently publish this book without your support.
A major credit goes to my brother Chris. Thank you for planting the seed that inspired me to go vegan. This improved many aspects of my life, but it also gave me the motivation to restyle this series and fall in love with it again. Thank you for encouraging me to pursue this publishing path and for your advice on tweaking the beautiful cover. I’m sorry it couldn’t be ‘more dog, less human’.
So, thank you to my cover designer, Danielle, for taking my brief and giving me this beautiful cover! You’ve captured Ana and Louis in a moment I could never have imagined. Thank you to my editor Alex for guiding me towards improving this story. I learned a lot from your editorial advice and cannot believe the transformation this manuscript undertook.
Thank you to the writing community for showing me there are many ways to find success. Matt B Lewis and Davina Stone, you were my inspiration. Thank you Joanne Austen Brown and Frances Dall’Alba for your advice on independent publishing.
Mum and Ian, thank you for accompanying me for an afternoon of taste testing at Fruit Forest Farm, and a big thanks goes to the Gaia family for taking me on a tour through your banana farm.
Most of all, thank you Dillon and Jacob. Dillon, you’ll live forever in my heart and as Louis. You came into my life when I was an eight-year-old girl and left when I was a grown woman who knew it was time to take you to the vet. I’ll always remember you as the perfect boy who couldn’t live without a ball, even if that meant ripping the husk off a coconut to find one. You are the reason I cannot live without a border collie and why Jacob came into my life. This book wouldn’t have transformed without my baby boy. Thank you, Jacob, for your barking, inability to walk without herding cars, and for chewing through your lead to chase the hose. You fill my life with love, fun, and too much cuteness.
Last but not least, thank YOU for picking up this book! I hope you enjoyed your first visit to Elizadale and want to find out what happens next. I promise you, a lot more is to come.