Firstly a little background to this book. The writing of Rogue Hero coincided with a big change in my life. Midway through drafting in early 2023, my wife was offered an incredible opportunity with a new job in Atlanta, Georgia. We had a tough decision to make, considering family, the education and happiness of our two boys, but we ultimately decided to take the plunge. And so, in Spring 2023, we upped and moved the four of us, and our dog, from the West Midlands in England to the north Atlanta area. It’s been a whirlwind twelve months since then with me just about managing to find time to write still. In homage to our new home, I’ve peppered into this book some locations around Georgia that are now on our doorstep. I hope it helped to add some flavor!
As for acknowledgments, that was perhaps a good introduction to me saying thank you to my wife, Vicky. She’s not just a great partner, but a dedicated and successful businesswoman too. The opportunities that have opened up to our family because of her hard work are incredible, and me and our boys are really lucky to have her. She’s also a huge reader, the very reason why I started writing in the first place, and over the last decade of me writing, and all the ups and downs that have come with it, she’s always had my back and encouraged me onward, even when at times I felt like throwing in the towel.
I’d also like to thank my parents for their continuous support on absolutely anything I need, but in particular, on the topic of writing, for being ready and willing to read my first drafts and provide solid critique. I do feel a little sorry for them at times though as I don’t think they’ve ever actually read one of my finished books!
Rogue Hero is the first book that I’ve published with Boldwood. They’re a new(ish) publisher who’ve had tremendous success for a start-up and I’ve had an envious eye on them and their authors for a while, so I’m really grateful to them for taking me and my backlist on (look out for new James Ryker books from them!). I can’t wait to see how our working together blossoms over the coming years. Thanks in particular go to fellow thriller writer Ross Greenwood who made the introduction to Boldwood for me, to my editor Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks for her faith in me and my work, to Amanda Ridout who’s built an outstanding business in such a short time, to everyone else who’s had a role in the editing, publication and marketing of this book, not limited to Claire Fenby, Jenna Houston, Hayley Russell, Caroline Ridding, Nia Benyon, Ben Wilson, Shirley Khan and Gary Jukes. A big shout out also to all the book bloggers who read, reviewed and gave prominence to this and every other title I’ve written.
And lastly, but absolutely by no means least, a big, big thank you to everyone who’s read this book. It’s now been ten years since my first release, and I’ve published more than twenty books in that time. It’s been a rollercoaster, to say the least, and I’m thankful to every single person who’s ever read one of my books. But I’m particularly grateful to the core of readers who’ve followed my journey all the way through, the ones who read each and every Rob Sinclair release. I wouldn’t and couldn’t do this without you!