The Chronicles of Fallhollow stories have been floating through my imagination since I was a little girl. For too many years, life kept me from following my dream and bringing this story to life. Finally, after much prodding, along with my own relentless determination, I finally set my mind to the task and put the story down. It wasn't until a friend of mine almost twisted my arm to the point of it falling off that I decided to send the first book to Month9Books with the slimmest hope someone else would love the tale as much as I did. Imagine my surprise when it was accepted for publication. That was in 2015. Now, as I hold book two, it's still hard to believe that my dreams have come true and that this story is out in the world. Soon, the final book in the trilogy will find its way to you and it will be a bittersweet end to a story that has been with me for so long. Until then, it is with immense gratitude that I thank the following people for without them, I wouldn't be where I am today:
My husband, Tom—for making dinner, for bragging about me and my books to anyone who would listen. For supplying me with endless cups of coffee and for being my beacon of light when it felt like the world around me was dark and hopeless. I couldn't have done any of this without you.
My kids, Kevin, Bryan, Heather and Clarissa: you've been my inspiration and my biggest fans. I love you more than you know. I'll always remember our own adventure with the miniature 'vorgrants' and the canoes.
Jahlee and Lily: you may be pups, but you've stayed up with me into the wee hours of the morning, keeping my feet warm, keeping me company, giving me kisses when I needed them. My heart swells with your unconditional love. I can't imagine my life without you.
My editor, Cameron Yeager, who never fails to challenge me to be the best writer I can be. You have taught me so much and put a special shine on this book in particular. You're amazing in so many ways.
For the entire team at Month9Books: thank you for your enthusiasm, your support, your patience in answering all my silly, inane questions. Georgia McBride, you get a special thank you for being the amazing publisher you are, for taking a chance on a nobody author with big dreams and a story that dreamed to be told. You have been patient with me and have always been supportive of me and my goals. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I also want to thank the following for their undying devotion to this project and my writing in general. I love you guys to the moon and back a gazillion, bazillion times over:
Jennifer Eaton, Sheryl Winters, Valerie Sutton, Jonathan Marx, Kyle Jackson, Shannon Carper: you are the best beta readers a writer could hope for. If I had Einar's wealth, I'd give it all to you and still owe you more. I won't share my coffee or chocolate, though. The line has to be drawn somewhere.
Scott McQueen, my Facebook buddy, my fan, my dragon collector: your enthusiasm, support and unlimited supply of dragon and fantasy pictures have gotten me through some tough writing. Your encouragement when I was floundering, and your love for Trog and my story is appreciated more than you know. I can't thank you enough for connecting with me on Social Media. Keep the pictures coming.
Paula, Marian, Diana, Joan, Dilip and all the old CGI crew: thank you for believing in me and following me on my adventure.
And you, my precious, dear reader: thank you for coming along with me on this journey. I hope you’re enjoying the story, and I hope that you’ll stick around for the final book to see how the adventure ends. I promise it will be an explosive finale.