Acknowledgments

AS I SIT DOWN to write this thank-you note to the many beautiful people who have had a hand in this novel, I am once again overwhelmed by the collaboration of such an amazing team.

First, a huge thank-you to my mother, Donna Anuszczyk, for coming to my rescue with the beautiful poems contained within this story. I was an author (one who does not consider herself a poet) with a deadline and in need of poems. More than willing, you graciously gave me your best and amazingly enough, several of them fit my story line perfectly. Thank you, Mom!

Thank you to another one of my big champions, my agent, Natasha Kern. Your belief in my stories means so much to me. Thank you for your faith when things might look a bit bumpy. I learn something from you each time we talk, and I’m so very grateful for your support.

To the beautiful team at Tyndale—my amazingly talented and gracious editors, Jan Stob and Caleb Sjogren, and also to Karen Watson, Elizabeth Jackson, Andrea Garcia, Mariah León, and Jackie Nuñez. I can’t imagine a better publishing family to be part of. Thank you for making this writing dream possible.

Thank you to my critique partner, Sandra Ardoin, for keeping me sane. Also to my sweet writing friends who I know I can reach out to whenever this journey feels like a lonely one—Melissa Jagears, Melanie Dobson, Tessa Afshar, and Amy Sorrells.

Thank you to the staff at Orchard House for such an amazing tour and for answering my questions. You made Little Women and Louisa May Alcott come alive in an entirely captivating way. I don’t think I could ever get enough!

To the many readers, bloggers, and reviewers who are enthusiastic about my books and have taken the time to write a review or give a shout-out, you all rock. Thank you!

Thank you to the three most important men in my life—my husband, Daniel, and my sons, James and Noah—you put up with crazy deadlines, skimpy dinners, and weepy moments. Thank you for always loving me and for giving me the inspiration and support to do this thing I love.

Lastly, thank you to the greatest Author of all, the Author of life and hope. Do with these words what You will.