Acknowledgments

What a journey. Once again, my heart swells with gratitude toward all the people that have made this road possible yet one more time:

My agent, Barbara Poelle. She’ll throw a barstool through a window just to hear the music of the shattering glass—then pay the repair bill with a grin as she asks for another round.

The entire staff at Midnight Ink: my editor Terri Bischoff, the ever-patient Kathy Schneider, Beth Hanson, Rosie Wallner, and of course Katie Mickschl, too. Thank you for working so hard to bring Mallen out of the darkness and into the light.

To my family: Sandy, Ed, Janet, Ron, Sherri, Jim, Garrett, Jamie, and Siobhan. Thank you so much for sticking in there and cheering me to the finish line. Xoxo

To my parents: I only wish they could’ve been here to see their youngest do some good for a change.

And finally, most importantly, to Dawn: I owe my life to this person, and hands down, she’s the best person to owe a life to.