Acknowledgments

It was bold of Cory Maxwell at Bookcraft to decide to contract with me for three historical novels based on the lives of the wives of the patriarchs. His boldness became even more evident when, to my own surprise but perhaps not to his, I began the manuscript almost on time, but then took so long to get past several serious story hurdles that it ended up being submitted more than a year late. By that time, Bookcraft had been purchased by Deseret Book, but Sheri Dew showed as much patience and boldness as Cory Maxwell did. I thank them both for making it possible for an old science fiction writer like me to have a chance to write a novel aimed at a very different, but (I hope) overlapping audience.

I very much appreciate the helpful comments of those who read the manuscript chunk by chunk as I was writing it, especially Erin Absher, who was my bellwether when I wandered into dangerous territory. Other readers who deserve my heartfelt thanks are Erin’s husband, Phillip Absher, my son Geoffrey, and my friends and fellow writers Kathryn H. Kidd (encourageuse extraordinaire) and Jill Robinson.

Every word I write is read first by my wife, Kristine, and while I remain responsible for whatever foolishness survives her careful reading, she deserves my readers’ thanks for all the foolishness she caught before you saw it. Besides, if I have any understanding of what a good marriage can and should be, it is because we have spent so many years trying to make one for and with each other.

And if I have any understanding of what it meant to Abraham and Sarah to have children, regardless of the cost or the delay, it is because of Kristine’s and my five children, Geoffrey, Emily, Charlie Ben, Zina, and Erin, who have each taught us a complete course in why raising children is the most important enterprise one can embark on in this life, and the one in which we most closely approach an understanding of the work and glory of God.

Part I