Suddenly, I feel like I’m out of words. Where to even begin to thank my amazing peeps? First of all, I’d be remiss in my thanks if I didn’t show a bit of gratitude toward all the creative writing teachers I’ve ever had who encouraged me to write and to publish. I don’t know why it took me so long. Then there’s my brother John, always encouraging, who introduced me to the MeetUp app and told me to find a writing group to join. Going to my first one felt like my first art critique in college. Scary as all get out! I read an excerpt and got amazing feedback and encouragement. So here’s a big shout out to the Newtown-Yardley Creative Writers!
Of course, where would I be without all my amazing friends as well. Beth, my biz partner in the quilty world, who read it chapter by chapter and kept on me to keep writing. My sister Christine who was one of the first to read it all the way through and texted that I’d better be writing book two in a hurry or she’d make me eat mud again like she did when I was a kid. OK, she didn’t really threaten with the mud, but she might. Huge thanks to all my beta-readers who gave me such amazing feedback and helped me fine-tune my story. Not to mention, my fantastic, wonderful, where-would-I-be-without-you copy editor, Alycia Spencer. Who went above and beyond, working tirelessly and encouragingly. And who also told me I may never start a sentence with the word “and” again. Oops. Also a HUGE I-owe-you-baked-goods-for-the-rest-of-your-life thanks to bestselling author and good friend James Andrew Miller for giving me countless tidbits of advice; and late night waffles and ice cream.
Last but not least, my parents for teaching me that anything is possible, giving me the courage to believe in myself and follow my dreams. Then finally, Doug, my hubs, and the four most amazing kiddos ever; Trevor, Sienna, Keegan and Adele. They don’t even blink their eyes anymore when I say stuff like, “Hey guys, I had this crazy dream where a girl who sings on YouTube goes back in time and ends up singing 21st century songs in the 16th century. I think I’m going to write a YA novel about it, might even make it a series.” They’re like, OK, go for it. Kind of like when I decided to paint the kitchen turqouise. Did I say they were amazing, or what? My two boys, Trevor and Keegan, share my love of history and don’t mind talking details of the past. While Sienna shares my love of art and took on the cover design with her mad Photoshop skills. Adele lets me sing Taylor Swift with her in the car at the top of our lungs, which I’ll admit, we do quite often (in the kitchen too, with wooden spoon mics). Oh dear, I hear the music playing, any minute now they’ll be pushing me off the stage (or begging me for dinner more like...) but before I go--my biggest thanks goes to my hubs Doug, who told me from the beginning of our life together that my creativity is what truly makes me beautiful. Awwww, who wouldn’t fall for a prince like that?