This book would still be a half-baked mess if not for my author friend and mentor, Leslie Gould, and her nudges to keep sending new chapters each week. Her encouragement and enthusiasm pulled me past crippling doubt and motivated me to keep pressing forward. Thank you!
Also, I am forever indebted to:
My agent, Rachelle Gardner, for believing in Johnny.
My husband, Dan, and my publisher, Ashberry Lane, for believing in me.
Screenwriting consultant Michael Hauge for his advice on writing a fictional story set in Hollywood.
Author and agency-mate Pastor Bill Giovanetti for his early critique and encouragement.
Authors and agency-mates Sarah Sundin and Keli Gwyn for their insight on the history and geography of Northern California.
The Western Railway Museum.
JoAn (Mom) Montgomery, my favorite fashionista of the ’50s.
Carla Stewart, for her steadfast voice of literary wisdom and advice.
And Cary Grant, Clark Gable, and Gregory Peck, for just being themselves.
Most of all, I am grateful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus, for His steadfast love, His deliberate grace, and His shame-cleansing forgiveness, for the dream that inspired this story, and for His help to write it.