People often ask me where my book ideas come from. “Everywhere,” is my answer. But Belmont’s story has to be the most unique case of plot bunny-itis. My grandmother has always told me stories about her older brother, Belmont. He was the strong, silent protector type. I paid attention to these stories, but one anecdote in particular floored me. Belmont was a difficult child and continually ran away. One day, my great-grandparents handcuffed him to the sink (I don’t condone this in any way) to make a point. So Belmont got up a head of steam and ripped the sink out of the wall.
As soon as I heard this story, I was hooked. Needed to know everything about the man this young child became. I plotted an entire series around him—and really, Peggy, Rita, and Aaron are very important, but they orbited around Belmont, didn’t they?
Weeks after I plotted the series and started writing it, I came to find out that real-life Belmont had a different father, too, just like the fictional Belmont, which was possibly where his angst came from. I never knew this fact about his parentage and it was something my grandmother hadn’t spoken to me about. So I’ve spent the last year convinced real-life Belmont and I have a cosmic, beyond the grave connection. In Peggy’s book, she describes Belmont as, “More substantial than time,” and I couldn’t agree more. Belmont and Sage are going to stay with me forever. I hope they do the same for you.
Thank you to my editor, Madeleine Colavita, for your expertise, time, and love of the series. It was truly a pleasure going on this journey with you.
Thank you to my grandmother for telling me the sink story and getting the juices flowing. I’m so grateful that storytelling (and good hair) runs in the family!
Thank you to my husband, Patrick, and daughter, Mackenzie (and Molly the cat), for being the most patient, loving, and understanding people on the planet. I love us.
Thank you to my friends who continue to support me. Jessie and May, the fact that you harassed me for each book in this series made me so happy. Jillian, I’ll never forget you crying in the restaurant when I told you I sold this series and how the story ended. And all the Bailey’s Babes who have been Belmont girls since book one—thank you.