As always, I have many people to thank for their invaluable help and support during the writing of this book. I know that words will fail to express the depth of my heartfelt appreciation, but I want to try, so here goes:
I owe a BIG thank you to…
Brandon James, director of the Atmore/PCI animal shelter, for taking the time to answer my questions about creating and sustaining a small-town animal shelter. You’ve done so much good for your community. Your driveway in Heaven is paved in gold, studded with diamonds, and lined with dogs and cats waiting for you to unlock the door to the mansion so they can come inside.
Lisa Miller, for your friendship and encouragement, and for creating your amazing Story Structure Safari method that I always use to assemble the bones of every book I write.
Margie Lawson, for helping writers to hone their craft, share what they’ve learned, and meet up with kindred spirits. I’ve learned so much and met so many friends through Lawson Writer’s Academy.
Deb Werksman, the world’s best editor, for bringing out the best in my writing. Your sharp eye and delicately wielded scalpel make all the difference. If you ever get tired of being an editor, you’d make a fine plastic surgeon.
Everyone at Sourcebooks! Your dedication makes every book an enjoyable experience for readers, but also for authors. Special thanks to Susie Benton and Christa Désir for your sensitive and insightful edits, to Jessica Smith for your diligence, determination, and guidance in the copy editing phase, to Stefani Sloma for taking the terror out of marketing, to Beth Sochacki for including me in fun author events, to Rachel Gilmer for organizing the launches, and to everyone else on the team, many whose names I don’t even know, for everything they did to make this book a reality.
Lesley Sabga at the Seymour Agency for your first-read notes, brainstorming, and regular check-ins to make sure all is well, and Nicole Resciniti for always being just an email away.
JoAnn Sky and the Plotting Wenches (That sounds like a great name for a band, doesn’t it?) for brainstorming and first reads.
Katrina Martin, my virtual executive assistant, for fulfilling my lifelong dream of having a trusted friend who possesses the wits and the will to wrangle my inbox, plan my days, and make sure I do yoga most mornings.
Jennifer Newell of SB Creative Content for taking the text and photos I toss at you and somehow turning them into a beautiful website, and a newsletter that actually goes out to subscribers almost every month! (When it doesn’t, it’s my fault, not Jennifer’s.)
Shelley Glass, my neighbor and friend, for making sure we didn’t starve when I was too busy writing to cook.
My critters, for always giving me plenty of animal stories to write about.
My kids, Christopher, Tessa, and Natalie, for each doing their part to help out. Natalie for helping me to wrangle the social media octopus into a jar. Tessa for holding down the fort and spreading the word. Christopher for offering his lake cabin when I need some quiet writing time—look out, I’m headed there now.
My husband, Hans, for always believing and understanding, and for shining a flashlight on the path so I can follow my dream.