Acknowledgments

As always, I want to thank my agent Dawn Dowdle at Blue Ridge Literary and the wonderful people at Kensington who help make my dreams a reality, John, Paula, Michelle, Lauren, and all the folks who do so much behind the scenes.

I am blessed to have a broad network of friends who support me in so many ways, including Patricia Lillie and my fellow Seton Hill University tribe. Thanks to the Barnyardians, Tim, Chuck, Lindsey, Jill, and our fearless leader, Sandy, for all the support and shameless promotional plugs. Thanks to my official team, Amber, Derrick, Eric, Jennifer, Jonathan, and Robin. I also have to thank my unofficial team, Deborah, Grace, Jamie, and Tena. Once a trainer . . .

Thanks to Trooper Tony for the technical assistance with police and TBI policy and Abby Vandiver for the legal insights. Thanks to Alexia Gordon for assistance with medical questions and for the unicorn support from both you and Kellye Garrett and the Crime Writers of Color. I appreciate the Cozy Mystery Crew, SinC, and Guppies. Thanks to Dru Ann Love, Karen Owen, Colleen Finn, Jerri Cachero, Lisa A. Kelley, Karen Kenyon, and Lori Caswell for the support, encouragement, and for all you do to help authors.

Thanks to my family, Ben Burns, Jackie Rucker, Christopher (Carson) and Crosby Rucker, Jillian (Drew) and Marcella Merkel. Special thanks to my friends Sophia and Shelitha for always having my back.

Lastly, thanks to Linda Herold for coming up with the title.