I’ve had so much fun spending time with the Hampton cousins and am continually humbled and gratified at the positive reader response. The Victorian era is endlessly fascinating, and especially toward the end, saw so many changes. I will never tire of doing the research, although I admittedly get details wrong on occasion.
My thanks, as always, to Jennifer Moore (The Blue Orchid Society series), Josi S. Kilpack (Mayfield Family series), and Rebecca Anderson, (The Art of Love and Lies). The moral support, not to mention the brainstorming video calls, have kept me sane. I love you each dearly.
Special gratitude to Lisa Mangum and Heidi Gordon, for continual cheerleading even while finding plot holes and spots for improvement. You are so good at author hand-holding, and I am grateful. The whole Shadow Mountain team—Chris Schoebinger, Heather Ward, and Rachael Ward—you are wonderful and so much appreciated.
To my family, who go without my time and attention during deadline sprints and conferences, your love and support sustain me. I am so lucky, and I realize it every day. My life is rich and full because of you—Mark, Nina, Anna, and Gunder. To Nichole and Bruin, you are such bright spots, and I am so lucky to have you in my life! To my siblings, my adorable nieces and nephews, and my sweet dad and step-mom, I love you more than words can express. We are close, and it is such a gift.
Last, but not least, to my readers who show up at signings, post beautiful things online, and message me with kind thoughts and questions, my heart is overflowing with gratitude and love. I could not do what I do without you, and to be able to share my daydreams with all of you is as wonderful as I ever imagined it would be. Maybe there will come a day when I can write as quickly as you all read, but I doubt it. In the meantime, thank you for patiently waiting! I will keep imagining stories as long as I live, and it is my fond hope that they will always find a home with you.