No author sees a book through to publication without an army of fierce allies at her back. To my agent, Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary, you are part agent, part mentor, part therapist and part fairy godmother. I can't thank you enough for your support.
My heartfelt thanks to talented editor, Charlotte Ledger, who waved her magic wand and granted one of the greatest thrills of my career by contracting this series. Epic love and thanks to Alexandra Allden and Lizzie Gardiner for their outstanding artistic eye and unending patience while designing the covers for this series.
A big thanks goes out to several friends, without whom this story would not have reached its full potential: Arial Burnz, Vonnie Davis, Mackenzie Crowne and Rachel Brimble for their keen attention detail and helping me center my characters.
To the three folks who inhabit the halls of my lunacy and provide a limitless fountain of love and support—my husband Scott, my son Jack, and my daughter Lily Belle. Without you three, I would simply cease to exist. Lastly, to my readers. Thank you for choosing this story. I hope it finds you happy and healthy, and that all your fairy tale dreams come true.