Deepest gratitude to the many loved ones, writers, and readers who have so graciously supported my dreams through your encouragement, humor, and big shoulders.
Thank you to my editor, Anna Michels, and her team at Sourcebooks, for your vision, passion, and patience. Thank you to my agent, Shannon Hassan of Marsal Lyon Literary, for your steady hand.
To the earliest readers of In Another Life—Charlotte Mae McDonnell, Edith O’Nuallain, Marci Peterson, Sylvia Bowman, Melissa Denny, Chris Burt, Jeanie Murphy: you salvaged this from the rubbish bin and made me believe it was worth finding my way to The End.
Thank you to Candace Johnson, editor and cheerleader extraordinaire. You helped me to chip away at the stone until the shape of a story was revealed.
To Anna and Peter Quinn of the Writers’ Workshoppe and Imprint Books in Port Townsend: thank you for celebrating and supporting Pacific Northwest writers and for all that you do to make our little corner of the Olympic Peninsula a haven of creativity.
So many writers have opened their hearts to me in fellowship and empathy, including Karen Gaudette Brewer, Margaret Grant, Bianca Bowers, Sion Dayson, Jeanne Gassman, Kelly Byrne, Cerrissa Kim, and the writers of the WFWA. I learn from your grace; I celebrate your art. Kim De, my first writing buddy, this would not be without you.
To the women and men of the BtCLBB: your enthusiasm and virtual hugs keep me going.
My love and gratitude to my family for their steadfast support.
This book is dedicated to my darling husband, Brendan. Your soul is my light; your heart is my home. Thank you.