As the old saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, and as each story feels like my baby, it also takes a village to write a book. This book is one I have wanted to write for a long time, because it has bubbled away in the back of my mind for years. It would still be there, waiting patiently behind my other writing commitments, if my wonderful husband hadn’t nagged me weekly to ignore everything else and just write it. I have also been blessed with the two best kids in the world, who have been very forgiving of the fact that their weird mother lives most of her life in her own imaginary world. So thank you, Katie and Alex, for being wonderful, for your encouragement, for growing up to be amazing adults, and for making me laugh. Words cannot say how proud of you I am.
I would also like to thank the writing community, especially my two little “tribes,” who have been there for every step of this journey. The Harpies, my fellow historical romance–writing friends and support network—Nicole Locke, Laurie Benson, Lara Temple, Janice Preston, Jenni Fletcher, Harper St. George, Catherine Tinley, and Elisabeth Hobbes—you rock, ladies! And my exclusive little local writing group, Essex Writers United, who diligently critique my chapters and lead me astray—Liam Livings, Alison Rutland, Lucy Flatman, Kelly Stock, Sophie Rogers, Karen Osborne, Zeba Shah, Andrew Willmer, and Sarah Dorrian—my comrades in arms and my friends for life. Also thanks must go to Linda Fildew and Mills & Boon, from whom I have learned so much.
Finally, a special thank-you to my tenacious and wise agent, Kevan Lyon, for believing in me, and my editor, Jennie Conway, for her unfailing enthusiasm for this story. You are a joy to work with, ladies, and I couldn’t have done this without you!