Thank you to Sue Brockhoff and the amazing team at Harlequin Australia. You have been incredible to work with at every stage. Thank you to the editors, Lachlan Jobbins, Annabel Blay and especially Laurie Ormond who brought out the best in me and this story.
Special thanks to Ali McDonald and her team. Thanks to Julie and Lindsey for the early reads.
My writing friends keep me showing up to work at the computer every day. Sharing the ups and downs of creating a story with people who understand makes everything a little easier. To Rachael Johns, Helen Lacey and Sandii Manning, your feedback early in the writing of this story was invaluable and I appreciate it. Thanks to all the lovely people from SARA and RWAus who inspire me so often.
Thanks to my family and friends for your love and support. Especially to my adored big sisters Fiona and Kirsty. Also to Mitch, Dick and Shirley and Dad and Lyn. Thanks gorgeous Chloe for always answering a desperate text at any hour. Thanks to Mum, you always believed in me.
To my amazing kids – thanks for understanding when I have to write just one more paragraph or zone out with an idea. I love you guys. During the editing of this story we lost our own much loved Lion. I hope he’s captured a little in these pages.
And to Davey. Thanks for everything. Always.
Finally, thanks to my readers. Getting messages, tweets and emails about Fake never gets old and I can’t wait for you to meet Rhett and Callie.
In this story, one punch has a devastating effect on many lives. I wish it was pure fiction but unfortunately it happens in real life. One great group providing programs to combat situations like these is The SammyD Foundation – in memory of a boy who lost his life in such an incident. Make sure you check them out for more information.