Unlike my previous book, which was written during the darkest hours of the pandemic, Code Name Sapphire was born in a time of hope, when we began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am appreciative to return to a world where we can gather at book events while still thankful for the technology that lets us connect from all over the world.
There are so many people in the book world to thank and I’m afraid if I mention some, I will miss others. To my author, book influencer, book blogger, librarian and bookseller friends, thank you for all you do. And eternal gratitude to the readers for showing up year after year and reminding me why I do this—you give me the strength to wake up early every single day.
I’ve been blessed to work with the greatest people in publishing for more than fifteen years. I am so very grateful to my dream team: my fierce agent and faithful friend, Susan Ginsburg, and her assistant and junior agent, Catherine Bradshaw, and to my gifted editor and collaborator extraordinaire, Erika Imranyi, and her editorial assistant, Nicole Luongo. I would like to thank my patient, talented and hardworking publicist, Emer Flounders (who knows how to make any book tour stop across the country into a day trip for me), as well as my beloved publishing geniuses, Heather Foy, Amy Jones, Randy Chan and Rachel Haller. To everyone at Park Row, Harlequin, HarperCollins and HarperCollins Canada, especially Craig Swinwood, Loriana Sacilotto, Margaret Marbury and Brent Lewis, I owe my career to you.
Warmest thanks to my wonderful publicist, Kathleen Carter, (overjoyed to finally have the chance to work with you!), and to my social media assistant, Amara Borst, for teaching me so much and keeping me in line. Gratitude to my book counselor-in-chief, Andrea Peskind Katz. Thanks also to meticulous copy editor, Vanessa Wells, and historical fact-checker, Jennifer Young. And a special shout-out to my college friend Adrian Cox for his expertise on Brussels. My deepest appreciation to Monique and Linda Mendel, who reached out just as I was nearing completion of this book to share the remarkable experience of their parents on The Twentieth Train (the train which served in part as inspiration for this book.) As usual, the mistakes are all mine.
My world does not run or exist without my village. Love and thanks to my husband, Phillip, who among his many gifts can juggle children and has cooked every dinner since the first Obama administration; my mom, who helps us eight days a week; my brother, Jay; my in-laws, Ann and Wayne; and my friends Steph, Anzi, Mindy and Sarah. I’m grateful to my colleagues at Rutgers and to doggie day care (seriously), and to our amazing public school system and to my shtetl at the JCC. And my heart and soul go to my three not-so-little-anymore muses, who make the whole journey worthwhile.