It takes a village to raise a baby and a tribe to complete a novel. For this reason, I will forever be indebted to my LDStorymakers tribe: Melanie Jacobson, who, when I e-mailed her questions about how to write a book not only answered my questions but offered to meet with me in person. You’re my mentor but also one of my best friends. Ellisa Barr and Kristen Arnold, it was your love of Emmy and Rhys that helped me push through revisions. Thank you for your invaluable feedback and friendship. Natalee Cooper and Wendy Jessen, my cheerleaders, thank you for being my shoulders to cry on, my sisters in writing. Thank you, Jenille Isakson, Carrie Crosland, and Rebecca Toronto, for watching my babies so I could write and for letting me monopolize our conversations about writing. And all of my beta readers, and there are many, thank you: Raneé S. Clark, Kaylee Baldwin, Jolene Perry, Laree Ipson, Jen Mosier, Susan Auten, Candice Toone, and Jennifer K. Clark.
Thank you to my new family at Covenant. Samantha, your guidance, encouragement, and attention to detail has made this story what I dreamed it would be. Toree, thank you for creating a beautiful cover that so perfectly captures the feel of this novel. And to the many others working behind the scenes.
My extended family and in-laws (who are the best in-laws ever), your support means the world to me, and I couldn’t have written a single word without you. Thank you.
Mom, thank you for dancing ballet in the kitchen. When you thought no one was watching, I was.
My children: Lexi, who shares my love of reading and writing; Jaxon, who first offered to publish my book; Xaley, who shared her mommy every other Tuesday for critique group and way too many hours in between with writing; and baby Brexden, who is the happiest newborn editing partner a mommy could ever wish for—thank you. You’ve made so many sacrifices to allow me to follow my dream, and you each deserve to have all your names on the cover too.
And my husband, Kevin—you encouraged me to write before I even had the guts to call myself a writer. It’s because of you that I understand what love is and how to get my characters from “once upon a time” all the way to “happily ever after.” This book and all others that may one day follow are possible only because of your support. I love you, Bug.
And always, I want to thank my Heavenly Father, who makes weak things strong. Thank you for giving me this talent and for the many doors you’ve opened. Truly, I am humbled.