This book has gone through the hands of many people who believed in its potential and cheered me on every step of the way. I can never be grateful enough.
To my parents—thank you for being my first librarians; for the bookshelves in your bedroom filled with the things I was technically too young to read. To Papa, the first writer I know, and to Mama, who tried to point me down the right path and who, for the most part, succeeded.
For my sister Kim, who talked me into writing her high school English Lit papers, because she had that much faith—thanks for the practice.
A big thank-you to my cousins—Gin, Dara, Kurt, Timmie, Micah, and Keisha. You were in many ways the Tarquins to my Callie.
Thanks, Eugene, for the words of encouragement that came with every dinner, and also to Stephanie, who believed before I’d ever written a word. All my love to Sars, Nichole, Rip, Sophie, and Sara, for making it fun.
For my amazing agents, Rebecca Podos and Nicole LaBombard, who have championed Okiku’s story from day one. Thank you for taking a chance on us, and for loving her as much as I do.
My deepest gratitude to Leah Hultenschmidt for her infectious enthusiasm, and to my editor, Steve Geck, for his wonderful insights and assistance. I will always be grateful to the amazing team at Sourcebooks for everything they’ve done to make this book a reality. Todd, Cat, Aubrey, Jillian, and everyone else—you all rock.
And finally—to my husband, Les, who didn’t give up when I nearly did. This one’s for you.