ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I’d like to thank Random House Australia for making my dream to have a book published a reality. In particular, I’d like to thank my publisher Beverley Cousins for her expertise and the enthusiasm she’s had for Beyond Fear from the day it landed on her desk. Also, Virginia Grant for her guidance and hard work as well as the sales, marketing and publicity teams.

Thanks to my agent, Clare Forster of Curtis Brown (Aust), who knew how to make this project happen. Without Clare, Beyond Fear would be just another huge file in my computer.

Beyond Fear wouldn’t have been finished without the determined support of my sister Nikki. A thousand thankyous for the well-timed text messages, the coffee consults and her insistence that being tied to a computer was a worthy way to spend my time.

A huge thankyou goes to the Turramurra Women’s Fiction Critique Group: Isolde Martyn, Christine Stinson, Kandy Shepherd, Elizabeth Lhuede, Simone Camilleri, Carla Molino, Melinda Seed and Caroll Casey. Their enthusiasm, professionalism, friendship and just straight-out talent has inspired me, advised me and kept the dream alive. A special mention to Chris and Michael, and Isolde and John for giving me a place to lay my head every month.

To Romance Writers of Australia, for providing the opportunity to pitch this story to Clare Forster at the 2009 conference.

To Sam Findley, APM, retired superintendent of police, for sharing his knowledge of police operations, police officers and his own experiences – it was invaluable. The gun talk was cool, too. Thanks also to Les Chanter for his military knowledge and contacts.

For their encouragement, reading and advice over the ten years it’s taken to get a book on the shelves, many thanks to: Mum and Les, Dad and Carol, Cath and Grant Every-Burns, Fiona Honson, Tracy Hewson, Vanessa Barnveld, Kay Patterson, Bill Mackarell and Joan and Brian Hankinson.

My biggest and most heartfelt thanks goes to my fabulous family: my husband Paul for the walking and talking and his consummate skill in fight choreography, my son Mark for the brainstorming and logistics sessions and my daughter Claire for her powers of insight and listening skills. Thank you most of all for letting me follow my dream.