Acknowledgements

Although writing may be a solitary activity, the road to publication is not. Many hands have contributed to this work of fiction. First, I want to give my heartfelt thanks to my husband, Vaughn Neely. He encourages me and enables me to write. Thank you to my son, Stephen Neely, for fine tuning the details of my Pittsburgh landmarks.

I’d like to express my gratitude to my writing group, Cross N Pens. It’s a joy to partner with you. Thank you, Cynthia Owens and Tim Suddeth for your careful editing and helpful suggestions. You believed I could do this even when I wasn’t convinced.

When the first draft was completed and I sought an early reader, I knew I’d have to call Linda Smith, the most avid reader I know. When I’m looking for a book to read, I seek her reviews because they’ll be spot on. Thank you, Linda, for being my first audience, for offering effective feedback, and for your encouraging words.

I am grateful to Pelican Book Group and delighted to be part of their network of authors. They are a delightful group. A very special thanks goes to Megan Lee for her skillful editing. I’m so grateful for your expert help.

Above all, I thank God for the privilege of writing. May He be forever praised.