Though a writer may seem to draft a story alone, producing a novel that readers will enjoy takes a collective effort. There are so many readers and writers in the community whom I’m indebted to, who’ve helped bring my kernel of a story to life. Jenny Chen, my editor, first fell in love with my little cast of characters and pushed me to layer their family mystery in ways I never thought possible. I thank her immensely for all the work she put into this book. Her guidance has made me a better author. The entire Crooked Lane team has been a dream to work with, especially Madeline Rathle and Melissa Rechter. My agent, Lauren Spieller, has been the best champion for me and my work, and continues to help build my career and my confidence. She’s the best agent an author could ask for: passionate, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. I am incredibly grateful to have her as well as the rest of the team at Triada US Literary Agency.
There are so many other authors who’ve read, critiqued, and offered moral support during the long hours I spent drafting and revising Elizabeth, Myra, and Gwen’s story. Thanks to my critique partners, early readers, and author friends who encourage me to keep writing: Swati Hegde, Sara Kapadia, Megan Collins, Vanessa Lillie, Wendy Heard, Daniela Petrova, Eliza Nellums, Ed Aymar, Tara Laskowski, Maureen Connolly, Noelle Salazar, Suanne Schafer, Eva Seyler, Preslaysa Williams, Olivia Arnold, Jamie Beth Cohen, Nicole Mabry, Nicole Bross, Jerri Schlenker, Samantha Kassé, and many more. I also thank the students and faculty in the creative writing department at Boise State University, where I’ve not only honed my craft, but made wonderful friendships in the writer’s community.
I have the greatest family ever, and I’m especially grateful for my husband, Anthony Woods, for how hard he’s worked, caring for our six children so I could write. I love you so much. My children inspire me on a daily basis. I am so incredibly fortunate to be mom to Hunter, Julianna, Harley, Dylan, Piper, and Emmett. This book is also in memory of my father as well as my aunt Linda, both of whom passed away while I was revising this book. Also, it is in memory of my first husband and father to my oldest two children, Brad Rosen. I thank you for loving me, for helping me through the darkest times of my life, and for showing me that I could handle anything—even losing you far before I should have. And a deep, heartfelt thanks to my mother and sister: you are the strongest women I’ve ever known, and all that I do is because I saw you work hard and achieve your dreams, how you’ve struggled through hard times and managed to continue on.