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My husband, Alex McRae, remains my greatest fan, and I can’t imagine what it would be like to write without the love and support of a husband who is also a writer. I am blessed!
My friend Joy Breedlove is also my beta reader, and I take her kind and thoughtful advice to heart because I know it comes from the heart of a fellow cozy mystery lover.
Much gratitude goes to my editors at Red Adept Publishing, Sara Gardiner and Susie Driver, whose fine efforts improved this book at every step along the way. These two ladies entertained all my odd, picky, and just plain curious questions with grace, and I am fortunate to have been able to work with them.
Some folks would give you the shirts off their backs, but Lori Bloss gave me the pendant off her neck, which I have worn and enjoyed ever since, so it was fun to feature it in this book. Similarly, my college pal Nancy Tucker remembered me admiring her gorgeous hobo bag one day and, when she tired of it, shipped it to me. The thoughtful Ann Hendrix gave me some gorgeous vintage clip-on earrings at Sunday school one morning, so those appear in my story as well. Girlfriends, please note: You don’t need to clutch your jewelry and purses in my presence. I just seem to know a lot of generous women!
A dear friend I met through my Tea With Friends blog, Ginger Cato, shared my all-time-favorite slow cooker recipe with me years ago, and I happily share it with you in this book. Another blog-reader friend, Sandy Maniscalco, shared a favorite shortbread recipe that I also make with pumpkin pie spice—with great results.
And yes, in case you wondered, Ruby Webster Powell and Doris Lee Howell were my grandmothers, though they would have been the great-grandmothers of Emma, who is inspired by my oldest niece, Madison Horton. Although Madison was a baby when she met the real-life Ruby and Doris, she did indeed have the privilege of meeting these two amazing women.
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WONDERING WHAT ALL of Emma’s great finds look like? Don’t know a Hattie Carnegie Christmas tree pin from an Eisenberg Ice one? Check out my Pinterest board for Rubies and Revenge by visiting https://www.pinterest.com/angelawmcrae/rubies-and-revenge-by-angela-mcrae/