I thank God for allowing me this ministry. And I thank you, Daddy, Momma, Tony, and Bethany. Your endless love and sacrifice inspires me and gives me hours in the writing cave.
Special thanks to:
My agent Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency, Gabrielle Meyer and the ladies in this collection, and the editors at Barbour—you all made my dream reality
My critique partner Janette Foreman—your beautifying fingerprints are all over this story, and the world lacks sufficient chocolate for proper thanks
Granny, for asking when my next book will be ready
My youngest beta reader, Annalisa Laudadio, who loved my writing when I lacked the courage—miss you, sweet girl
My ever-supportive C. P. Courtney Ballinger, my VIP Book Launch Team, Aunt Linda and other friends and family who prayed for and encouraged me, and my writer-hero Karen Witemeyer, for sharing wisdom and making me feel like one of the gals
ACFW, Seekerville, and Tina Radcliffe, who mentored me and saw the writer I could be
Finally, Ms. Caroline Wallmark, whose parents’ immigration story sparked this tale.
Historical note: needing a confessional for one scene’s antics, I took creative license and changed the Old First Presbyterian Church on Broad Street to a “cathedral.”