Acknowledgments

Writing a book is much like attempting to scale a mountain, but along the way that Divine presence gifts you with people who have your back and the means to reach the top. So thank you, Lord Creator, for giving me much more than I deserve.

In its simplest form, this story came about with a prayer and a dream to reach the hearts who need it. It is about an unloved girl looking for it through stories and wishes. In some ways, it’s a metaphor of my own experiences growing up, at a time where I felt invisible, depressed, hiding who I was, and like Rebel, I looked to stories to fill that hole. Nor is it a coincidence that some of my own health symptoms I’ve dealt with over the years found their way into her story. When I was younger, I experienced blackouts for reasons I never knew. Not until much later and at one point being in the hospital with stomach issues, fatigue, heart palpitations, dizziness, did the doctors discover it was anemia.

So in a way, this journey on The Wishing Heart and writing these characters was my process of making peace with the doubt and torment I went through growing up, coming to a place of my own healing in many ways. That’s the best part, that we can step inside and be touched by the power of a story. For which this one would have never been possible if I didn’t have the support of great people behind me.

Thank you to Kristy Hunter and Deidre Knight at The Knight Agency, who were the first that expressed their love for the story. I cannot convey my gratitude enough. To my fairy god-agent, Kristy, who was always ready with pep talks and wisdom. Thank you for being endlessly patient with a debut author. Your unwavering faith in the story, even at times when it felt like mine was failing, kept me afloat.

Theresa Cole, my editor and wizard, for which this book might have never seen the light of day if you had not picked it up, for solving my magic puzzles and fixing them. Thank you to the warrior group at Entangled Publishing, Melissa Montovani, Crystal Havens, Heidi Shoham, Erin Dameron-Hill, and Laura LaTulipe.

Julie Kagawa and Brenna Yovanoff, my deepest thanks for taking me under your wing as a mentee and your invaluable insight. Laurie Forest, thank you for every time you told me I could do it, in encouraging words and feedback. Your enthusiasm helped me through a hard time and the fact that you were so in love with the characters reassured me the story would find the hearts who need it. My fellow sisters at TKA, Mia Seigert, for your unwavering support and advice, and Dill “The Machine” Werner, who probably didn’t believe I would put that in here. But see? I keep my promises.

To the wonderful group at YARWA, and their contest which opened a wellspring of doors for me. Many thanks to all the readers of this book in its stages, to the sensitivy readers, and to Nicki Pau Prato who was the first to say “I think this is the one.” I felt your spirit all the way from Canada. To Lauren I. Ruiz, who saw the story when it was in its infancy and all the years you gave me feedback in my whining…I mean, writing. Thank you to my fellow authors of the 2017 Debut group, an amazing support network you are, especially to Leah Henderson, Shaila Patel, Larissa Miller, Vanessa Montalban, Jessica Fleck, and many more.

Above all I want to thank my number one fan. Mom, I can barely find the words to express all the wisdom, prayers, and support you’ve given me. To my father, who always encouraged me if I wanted something to go for it. To my brother, for all the video stories we created when we were little. To my dearest niece, who asked daily when she could read the book, and snuck glances every chance she could get. It is ready now.

Finally, my deepest gratitude to the gentle and fierce readers who will pick up this book, and to those who may have to hide it from others. I wrote this story for you. Never forget you are loved. And your love matters.