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Nick Cave said it best. “Grief and love are forever intertwined. Grief is the terrible reminder of the depths of our love and, like love, grief is non-negotiable.” This book, first and foremost, owes its existence to my elder papillon, who lost his long fight with heart failure while I was writing. It was a way to deal with the loss I was feeling, and the pain of his absence. Without him, without my love and my grief, I would never have written this story.
While I have one fewer set of paws in my writing den, this story and the umbra wolves in general, owe their life to both my dogs. As hard as the last two years have been, you’ve both made my life rich beyond means. I learned from you both that nothing is so bad that it can’t be healed by cuddling a fluff, chasing a ball, having a good meal, or sleeping at the seaside.
To my darling partner, none of this would be possible without you. You are the happily ever after in my life, and your support, your belief, and your love help make everything else possible. Thank you for continually being my shoulder, my support, and when I need it, my taskmaster. Most of all, thank you for continuing to say yes every day.
To Sasha— You always, somehow, know the best way to pull out the story I’m trying to tell. You fit in edits, provided suggestions, and catch my problems and logic gaps like no one else. Our relationship stretches back ten years now, as scary as that seems. Thank you for your patience, your skill, and above all, your friendship.
Thank you to Shannan who told me I should, and Kim who made me look good, and to the other amazing writers of hope and love who keep me inspired. Thanks to Veronica and Pauline and all my Pets in Space fellows – what great fun we’ve had, for such good cause; I’m looking forward to the next round already.
And lastly, thank you dear reader, and all the readers. Science Fiction Romance is a niche inside another niche, and it is your belief that they aren’t strange bedfellows, your voracious appetite for more great stories, and your dedication that keep me going. You are collectively the reason I sit down in front of the keyboard every day, and the payout that makes all the low times worthwhile.
Bless you all,
JC