Acknowledgments

IT’S TIME ONCE AGAIN to offer some heartfelt thank yous. So here goes …

Alicia … my very best friend and the love of my life (not to mention an amazing editor and the prettiest girl in the whole wide world.)

Aubrey, Jesse, Luke, and Isaac … still the best kids ever.

Andy Meisenheimer … for believing in me, taking a chance on my stories, for making me a much better writer … but mostly for being my friend.

Steve Parolini … for helping make this a much better book.

Becky Philpott … for your time, your attention to detail, and for always going the extra mile-and-a-half to make my stories the best they can be.

Alicia Mey & Curt Diepenhorst … for my best cover yet.

Steve Laube … for doing all the hard parts with copious amounts of grace and professionalism.

Keith Alberstadt and Chad Riden … for the valuable insights into the world of comedy. Just don’t blame those guys for the stuff I invented or simply got wrong.

And finally, but certainly not least … any reader out there—past, present, or future—who has chosen to spend a few precious moments with my characters … you guys rock!