THIS BOOK MARKS a return to my beloved sea turtles. Every year I’ve marveled at the new information gathered by experts in the field. And too, I’ve wept at the continuing degradation of our oceans and nesting habitats. Hope springs eternal. Over the course of these twenty years, I’ve been blessed with great mentors and friends. I send great love and gratitude to my fellow Island Turtle Team members: Barbara Bergwerf, Mary Pringle, Tee Johannes, Beverly Ballow, Barb Gobien, Linda Rumph, Jo Durham, Cindy Moore, and Christel Cothran.
I am especially grateful to Sally Murphy, SCDNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, retired—my mentor and friend—for reading the manuscript and fact-checking all my turtle-related information, and for catching those pesky grammar errors, too. I’m truly grateful to all at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for great work on land and sea, especially Michelle Pate and Charlotte Hope.
I am eternally grateful to the South Carolina Aquarium for years of support and dedication, especially my friends and leaders in conservation Kelly Thorvalson and Kevin Mills. I hope I did this fabulous institution justice.
Sincere thanks to The Leatherback Trust for continuing inspiration and education on the great leatherbacks, in particular friends Jim Spotila, Maggie Kruesi, and Frank Paladino.
Hugs and a humble bow of gratitude to Cynthia Boyle, Patti Callahan Henry, and Gretta Kruesi for inspiration, plot ideas, and helping me through difficult stages of the book. Your wisdom and support mean the world to me.
Love and thanks to Andie MacDowell for her friendship and support of sea turtles and my novel The Beach House. Thanks, too, to Hallmark for creating with Andie the beautiful film for Hallmark Hall of Fame which illuminates not only the story of a mother and daughter reconciliation but the plight of our beloved sea turtles.
My heartfelt love to my dear friends Linda Plunkett, Leah Greenberg, Marjory Wentworth, Signe Pike, Cassandra King, Patti Morrison, Lindy Carter, Kate Pittman, and Hope Rechea for moral support, wise advice, encouragement when I needed it, and cheers when I deserved them, and for gathering when the call went out.
A special thanks to my incredible Advance Readers Team. I’m especially grateful this year to those who convinced me that I needed to write a follow-up in the Beach House series—immediately. I hope you enjoy seeing your ideas come alive in this book!
How many ways can I thank my wonderful editor Lauren McKenna for guiding me with her critical eye and her editor’s ear, and for asking the insightful questions that helped shape my characters and storyline? The story sings because of you! And to Sara Quaranta and Joal Hetherington for sharp-eyed line editing and follow-through on all the details of getting a book to publication. At Gallery Books I’m so fortunate to have Jennifer Bergstrom as my publisher and a dream team of support—Jennifer Long, Abby Zidle, Michelle Podberezniak, Jennifer Robinson, and Diana Velasquez, and all. And a respectful bow to Carolyn Reidy.
I am beyond lucky to have my incomparable Home Team. My love and heartfelt thanks to Angela May, without whose friendship and brilliance I don’t think I could function. At Magic Time Literary, Kathie Bennett and Susan Zurenda; at Tandem Literary, Meg Walker; at Authorbytes, Steve Bennett and the team; and for keeping me afloat, Lisa Minnick, Max Glenn, and Mary Steele.
With this book I begin a marvelous journey with my agent Faye Bender of The Book Group. Thank you for your wise guidance, thoughtful support, and warm smile. I’m also very grateful to Jerry Kalajian at IPG.
And the last is always first in my heart—Markus. You know I couldn’t continue without you.