They say stories are created by writers who spin and weave the many threads of plot twists, characters, and setting, as the Muse and a Deadline sit on their shoulders. While this may be true, it takes a whole bunch of warm and wonderful island village friends to help turn all those pieces into an actual book you can hold in your hands.

I couldn’t do any of it without the love and support of my dear husband, Rusty; my son Jared, who critiqued and brainstormed When the Butterflies Came with me; my son Adam, who designs fabulous bookmarks and postcards; and Milly, my daughter-in-law, who takes me seriously when I go crazy with promotion ideas — and then helps me create gorgeous charm bracelets and butterfly necklaces and decorated cakes for bookstore events, along with PowerPoint presentations — while three toddlers cling to her legs (llama!).

Much love to my generous and nurturing editor and agent, Lisa Ann Sandell and Tracey Adams. You both are a gift in my life as you help me bring out the best in my work, and make the entire publishing process an exciting, dream-come-true journey.

I’m extraordinarily blessed to have good friends Cindy-Rae Jones and Bet Fonua at Nua Music, who create the most spectacular and magical book trailers for my novels, complete with original music and a whole lotta love.

I want to give a special thank you to longtime friends, Melanie Park, who generously let me camp out at her empty house to draft two different books when I was under tight deadlines, and Carolee Dean, who has buoyed me up over the long haul of this crazy writing career, and is a brainstormer and critiquer of great repute. Many thanks as well to Garrett Frei and Kevin South who spent time telling me about their life on the islands of Chuuk and their love of the people on those beautiful islands.

Endless thank yous and hugs to my brother Kurt, my sister-in-law Brenda, and their fabulous (and very hardworking!) children, Brandi (with BFF Megan), Cole, and Lexi, who built a gorgeous writing cottage for me during December with snow on the ground — in only a week! Thank you, as well, to my son Aaron, as well as to Milly and dear hubby who spent the week on the roof, becoming intimately acquainted with the shingles, and were all-around-terrific nail pounders and drywall hangers and painting pros.

The team at Scholastic Press is simply amazing, and every step of this journey has been filled with the most wonderful and generous people: My publicist, Emma Brockway, is cheerful, tireless, and adorable. Antonio Gonzalez, School Visit Coordinator, came to my rescue in the nick of time, and I’m grateful to the very talented book designer, Elizabeth B. Parisi; my copy editor, Monique Vescia; production editor, Starr Baer; associate editor, Jody Corbett; and editorial assistant, Jennifer Ung.

Special thanks to Deborah Kaiser, Theresa Frei, and Michelle McGilley, who set up school visits with the Book Fairs and carted me around the Bay Area, making sure I was fed and happy.

I’m also thrilled to have another gorgeous and mesmerizing book jacket by artist Erin McGuire — thank you!

I look forward to writing many more books and working with you all — all over again.