Once again, I give all glory and honor to God, Jesus, Mother Mary, and the angels and saints, who have all guided me along this path. A special shout out to Saint Kateri for inspiring me and for letting me borrow her name to inspire my character.
I also could not have written this book if it hadn’t been for my family and their love and support. So thank you to my amazing family—Dad (John), Mom (Meg), Katie, Patrick, Michael S., Danny, John, Maggie, Michael K., James, and Mittens—for always being there for me and making me who I am today. I love you all!
My parents have always supported me and my dream of writing, and for that, I am forever grateful. They’ve also helped me see the world, which inspires my writing more than they know.
To my sister Katie: thanks again for always being my first reader. Thankfully, it wasn’t as many drafts as A Touch of Gold this time. I don’t know what I would do without you.
To my buddy John, my Magalicious Magpie, and my godson Michael: thanks for keeping your EE young and inspiring me every day. I love you!
Thank you again to my extended family for not only promoting my books, but for all your continued support.
To my agent, Christa Heschke: thanks for being with me every step of the way and helping release this story into the world. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. Also, thank you to Daniele Hunter for her help!
To my amazing editor Hannah VanVels: this book would not be what it is without your guidance and help! Thank you for believing in the story and in me. I can’t wait to work on more books with you in the future.
To everyone at Blink—Annette Bourland, Jen Hoff, Ron Huizinga, Londa Alderink, Jacque Alberta, LaTasha Estelle, and so many others. This book wouldn’t be out in the world without you. Thank you for being such big supporters of my work.
To Liz Osisek: thanks again for being such a great critique partner. Your insights always bring my characters to life. I couldn’t do this without you.
Also, thank you to fellow writers and authors Jessica Fair Owens and Rebekah Snyder for stepping in to help when I needed it.
To Eileen Bos, who created an absolutely stunning book sculpture for A Touch of Gold. You are truly gifted, and I am blessed to have found you!!! Everyone should go check out Enchanted Couture by Eileen Bos on Facebook.
To my friends who put up with me even when I can’t hang out with them because I’m on a deadline: Carolyn Johnson, Anna Vorsilak, Amy Dreischerf, Rose Jindal, Vinaya Bahatia, Brynn Hollingsworth, Emily Gorrell, Julia Stern, Nikki Mousdicas, Vivian Liechty, Marija Stankovich, Joe Geisinger, Kevin Sermersheim, Joey Zettel, Stephanie White, Elizabeth Hunter, and Christina McGee.
To my Shark Week girls, my SnackPack: Rachelle Wood, Savannah Goins, Mackenzie Lauka, Alicia Grumley, Kristin Ungerecht, and Michele Harper. Thanks for being such great friends. And always remember, #ItsStillJustGreg.
To all those who prayed for me, especially my CRHP sisters!
To “the wind beneath my wings” that kept me flying to write another book: Ashley Zurcher, Laura Goldsberry, Jennifer Goldsmith, Clint Lahnen, Brennan Ward, and Tara Trubela. Thank you all for your help along the way! We make a great team! Literally. Also, please pay special attention to my use of the Oxford comma. Remember to use it wherever you go.
To amazing fellow authors John Green, Brenda Drake, Sarah Cannon, Jay Coles, Sarah Schmitt, and K.M. Robinson, who shared wisdom, advice, and friendship with me.
I couldn’t write these acknowledgements without also giving a shout out to a few Facebook groups who have been great supporters of my work: TBR and Beyond, YA Fantasy Addicts, Words & Whimsy Book Club, and Page Turners. Thanks to everyone in those groups for their support, especially T.L. Branson, Melanie Parker, Mireille Chartier, Samantha Mercer, Kristi Housman, Felicia Mathews, Candyce Kirk, Linda Harr, Megan Rogers, Haley Wilson Lemmón, Joanne Wills, Brianna Elaine Coffman, Heather Currie, Hannah Woycik, Kahla Leighton, Jordan Fleming, Stephanie Sarac, Sarah Nelson, Tara Bowering, Leanne Jones, Cheyenne Sanders, Megan Jeong, and Courtney Armstrong Pate.
Another shout out to Julia Byers for the great headshot. I’m still using it, so I hope if you’re reading these acknowledgments in public again that you’re not crying this time ;)
To my teachers at Peter Panda preschool, St. Pius X, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, Indiana University, and Butler University.
To Frank Richard Stockton, who wrote the short story “The Lady, or The Tiger?” Your infamous cliffhanger ending inspired me to reimagine your tale. Thank you.
To my English teacher, Mrs. Theresa Desautels. You introduced me to this story, and without you, it wouldn’t exist. I can still remember you asking me, “Did she pick the lady or the tiger?” I raised my hand and said that it could have been either, and I’ve been mulling it over ever since. And all these years later, I did my best to give it the ending it always should have had.
To my street team: thank you for all you’ve done and for joining me on this journey.
To some of my most devoted fans: Jordan Edwards and Valérie Pelchat—thanks for your support! And thank you to FangirlPixieJar shop and BookishSignsAndMore on Etsy for creating such lovely pieces of art inspired by my books! Thanks to Elizabeth Sagan (@elizabeth_sagan) for her wonderful Instagram picture of A Touch of Gold!
To everyone who liked my author page, shared my blog, or helped in some other way, you have no idea how much I appreciate it and how much you helped me achieve this dream. A special thank you to several people who really helped me along the way: Michael and Nancy Uslan, Sandi Patel, Kathy Lowry, Lynn Ratkey, Chuck Fanara, Valerie Scherrer, Jodi Clark, and Carrie Sukova.
To my readers, thank you for continuing this journey with me. I couldn’t do this without all of you. I hope you all find the tiger within!