FROM ANITA:
Though my maternal grandparents passed away many years ago, they are always in my heart. My grandfather, Merle Nason, and his life as a farmer in Northern Maine inspired much of this story, as did my mother, Annette Nason Fore, who worked long, hard hours in the fields on that farm.
Special thanks to the following:
My coauthor, Caryn Rivadeniera, who said yes when I approached her about the adventure of writing fiction. Contrary to rumors, there were no bruises or bloody noses in the writing process!
My cousin James Watson and my mother, Annette Fore, who have written a small volume filled with Maine sayings and loaned it to me during the writing process.
The supportive women in my writers group.
The Houlton Cary Library and their archives of the Houlton Pioneer Times.
Brian Reynolds, Tribal Administrator, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, for answering my questions, loaning me a tribal history book, making time to be interviewed, and answering all my follow-up emails.
Richard Silliboy, Mi’Kmaq historian and owner of Brown Ash Baskets Made by Richard Silliboy. Richard opened up his home on the Mi’Kmaq reservation for a lengthy interview.
Houlton Farms Dairy, a great source of inspiration each time I consumed a vanilla Awful Awful with chocolate sprinkles on top.
My husband, Mike Murphy, who listened to my panic about the book deadline and listened to my whining about working all day and writing all night. He is the best! My son, John, whose love for Maine is only eclipsed by his love for Civil War history. He embodies the word encouragement especially when I’m writing a book!
FROM CARYN:
First of all, thanks to Anita Lustrea for inviting me into her storytelling and for this amazing ride. That we not only survived writing a book together but had such a stinkin’ good time (mostly) doing it is a testament to Anita’s amazingness.
Thanks to the folks at Moody for suggesting that Anita write this story. To Deb Keiser for encouraging us from day one. To Pam Pugh for your meticulous editing and fact-checking (still laughing about some of the stuff we got wrong!). Thanks to the designer for your beautiful cover.
Thanks to Tim Fall for your legal wisdom (when you were on vacation no less!), to Sarah Pulliam Bailey for your New York City help, and to Ruth Pulliam for letting us “borrow” your apartment.
And of course, to my family: my husband, Rafi, my kids, Henrik, Greta, and Fredrik. Writing a novel was a joy but made me a tad crabby around the family from time to time. Thanks for your million shades of mercy to me. Love you!