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My father, Donald Corbin, first dreamed up the basic story of A Woman of Valor, and I loved it from the start. We completed the first rough draft together, but we weren’t able to get it into publishable shape before he lost his battle with lung cancer in 2006. It was only years later that I was able to get past the emotional wall that kept this project tucked away in a drawer for so long. I hope, Dad, that the result does you justice.
Several members of the Hartford Police Department assisted me in my background research for this book, and helped ground this fictional story in reality. In particular, Detective Buyak and Officers Mulroy, Kent, and King gave generously of their time, expertise, and personal perspectives, and I thank you all. A Woman of Valor would not have happened without you.
Many other friends, colleagues, and family members—too many to count or even remember—have contributed ideas, feedback, critique, encouragement, and love. I thank you all.
Special thanks goes out to Randal Houle, Rankin Johnson, Kate Kort, and Joe Walters, whose scene-by-scene critiques improved this story on a weekly basis.
Thanks also to my Beta Readers—Judith Bottorf, Sam Donavon, Danielle Faucheux, Richard Gray, Nicole Sherriffs, and Patsy Silk—who gave me invaluable late-in-the-game feedback.
No writer can survive without a great editor, and I have two. The keen eyes of Laura Lee Bennett and Patsy Silk caught many errors long after my own eyes glazed over. If errors remain, they are my fault, not theirs.
I can never give kudos enough to Steven Novak, whose creativity and patience with me once again yielded an amazing cover design.
Nobody contributed more to my writing career than my dear mother Patricia Corbin, who awakened in me the love of books and reading, and always encouraged my love of writing.
But most of all, thanks to Renée, the kindest, most patient, most beautiful person I’ve ever known, whose smile lights up the darkest night and brightens the sunniest day. Your support makes all of this possible. I love you.
