I am grateful for God’s grace and blessings amid life’s quiet storms. I am thankful for my family, for their support of my life and writing career, and most especially my mother, Etta Harris, and my aunt, Jessie L. Phillips.
I am thankful to all my friends, both old and new, who always understand when I lock myself away from the world to write my novels. Special thanks to the ladies who’ve been my support system for over two decades: Lencola Sullivan, Vanessa Gilmore, Regina Daniels, Cindy Barnes, Robin Walters, Tracey Huntley, and to the new ladies in my life: Debra Martin Chase, Deanna Williams, Yolanda Starks, and Sybil Wilkes. To the men in my life: Rodrick L. Smith, Carlton Brown, Troy Danato, Kevin Edwards, Tim Douglas, Anthony Bell, and my new friend and brother, Brent Zachery.
I am also thankful for the friends whose vast information helped tremendously with this novel: the beautiful and talented Broadway diva Brenda Braxton, Adrian Bailey (Mister triple threat), and Brian Evert Chandler (the best Curtis Taylor, Jr. I’ve seen on the stage). To the casts of Smokey Joe’s Café and the most recent national touring company of Dreamgirls, special thanks for showing me so much love. Thanks also to Tracey Davis of Wichita, Kansas, for the Jackson information and support.
Special shout-outs to my brothers and sisters who write wonderful books (especially my sisterfriend Julia Boyd for your information about Seattle). A special shout to a woman who has become near and dear to my heart, Iyanla Vanzant. I thank you, Iyanla, for your friendship and wonderful writing, but more importantly your powerful prayers during my stormy days and those filled with sun. You are amazing!
A standing ovation for my support team: my agents, John Hawkins, Moses Cardona, and Irv Schwartz (three of the best in the business); Laura Gilmore (the best assistant in the world); my attorneys, Amy Goldson and my uncle, Councilman Charles E. Phillips; and my accountant, Bob Braunschweig. I also would like to thank my haircutting brothers, who are also great friends, Shannon Jones (Chicago) and Anderson Phillips (Scissors New York).
In the publishing world I am also blessed with outstanding people; Stephen Rubin, the president of Doubleday, is the type of leader writers like me would follow anywhere. Welcome back, Steve. Thanks to my publicists, Sherri Steinfield and Patricia Blythe; and to Mario Pulice, the best art director in publishing and a man who always makes me smile (thanks for another great cover!).
I couldn’t do what I do without great editors. Again, I’ve been blessed with the best: Blanche Richardson and Charles Flowers have helped me craft three bestsellers. Blanche and Charles are not only great editors but great people, and friends I know I can depend on. A special thanks to my line editor, Austin Foxxe of L.A., a talented writer whose work I hope to see soon on bookstore shelves. And to Rosalind Oliphant, for being my friend and test reader.
The last person I want to thank has been a godsend through one of my storms. Janet Hill at Doubleday had always been a great supporter and friend. So I was excited and nervous when she agreed to be my in-house editor. Not only did she become the valuable leader of my team, but an even closer friend. How many people can say that about people they work with on a day-to-day basis? So thanks, Janet, for being, as the young kids say, all that.
Finally, to my fans, the invisible friends I don’t know who read my books and give me the best word-of-mouth support in the industry. I couldn’t do it without you. (I love the cards and letters.) Thank you so much. This one is for you! God bless you all.