Acknowledgments

Thank you to Michael, Hunter, and Summer. They allow me time and space to write. It is nice to live with creative people who are full of ideas and encouragement.

A huge thank-you to my super-smart agent, Stacy Testa, at Writers House, for holding my hand every step of the way and answering all of my questions. I am also very lucky to work with editor John Scognamiglio and an amazing team at Kensington Publishing. Their enthusiasm is contagious! I appreciate their hard work and dedication to the book.

I have appreciated all of my writing teachers along the way, including Tim Averill and John Stuart at Manchester High School, Tufts professor Jay Cantor, and my Creative Writing professor E. L. Doctorow at NYU.

Thanks to my early readers, editors, and supporters of this book, including Susan Breen, Brenda Windberg, and Debbie Goelz. A shout-out to all of the wonderful writers in my author groups, the Algonkian Round Table and ’17 Scribes.

I’d like to thank The Avengers, code name for my mom friends who force me to leave my computer once in a while and get out of the house. Thanks also to my mom and dad, who nurtured my love of cats and books, and made sure I always had both.

My big, black cat Winnie was my muse for this book. I imagine she thinks she is Bagheera to my Mowgli as she follows me around the house. She guards me carefully.

I love hearing from readers! You can find many ways to connect with me on my Web Site: www.sandiwardbooks.com.

Thanks for reading!