I HAVE MANY people to thank for their help with this book. First, my agent, Karen Solem, who looked over my initial ideas and suggested that Drew should come to the Healing Heroes cottage due to an injury resulting in vision loss. The idea caught hold of my imagination, but I gained the courage to go forward with it only when my friend and fellow writer Sally Alexander, who lost her vision in her twenties, similar to the way my character did, offered to hold my hand every step of the way. I owe a big debt of thanks to Sally for her ongoing assistance, and to my former student, writer Jessica Minneci, who read the full manuscript and offered a completely different perspective on blindness and how to best depict it. The book is much improved by their suggestions; all remaining flaws are my own.
My portrayal of teenagers owes much to my work with them at Seton Hill University, but the greatest thanks are due to my daughter, Grace. Not only has she been expressive and outspoken through all the ups and downs of adolescence, but she continues to fill my home with lively, laughing teenagers. She is the best daughter anyone could ask for, the light of my life. Sadly, not all teens are as resilient and upbeat as Grace is fortunate enough to be. Teen suicide is a complex problem that manifests in various ways, and it has touched my family’s life most painfully. Kaitlyn’s suicide attempt is a call for help that’s quickly answered, and my prayer is that more and more young people are able to reach out in a less drastic way to get the support they need.
Bill, you made my research trips to Maryland’s Eastern Shore delightfully fun. Jonathan, Jackie, Karen, Colleen, Kathy and, of course, Sally, your gentle but pointed critiques improved every chapter you read.
I am grateful to the team at Harlequin for the opportunity to write these books, especially my editor Shana Asaro, editorial director Susan Swinwood, the art department, and the sales and marketing crews. Most of all, I am thankful to my readers; your enthusiasm and encouragement motivate me to push past the challenges and make my writing the best it can be. Thank you for spending some of your precious leisure time with me in Pleasant Shores.
Keep reading for a sneak peek at the next book in The Off Season series, Christmas on the Coast, from Lee Tobin McClain!