The work for this book goes back over a decade: the basic research was done for another, similar, book way back in the year 2000, and my greatest debt is to Dr Ishwarprasad Gilada, who so kindly explained the Mumbai situation to me, answered my questions, accompanied me into Kamathipura, and basically gave me the background for Asha’s story. So to him go my first thanks.
For me, writing a new novel is a demanding time, especially as I am also in full-time employment, and have a disabled husband. Friends, both in real life and virtual, help me to relax. So thanks go to Gisela Oess-Langford, Helen Zettler, Ann Claypole, Angelika Frank in Germany; my cousin Rod Westmaas and his wonderful wife Juanita Cox Westmaas in the UK; my fellow Bookouture authors Rebecca Stonehill, Renita D’Silva and Debbie Rix; and of course my children-friends, Saskia and Miro. It’s so easy to fly off into a fictional world and never return; thanks to you all for helping to keep me grounded!
Last but not least, thanks to my super-editor Lydia Vassar-Smith for her help in moulding this book into its proper shape; and to Kim Nash, Lauren Finger, Molly Crawford and everyone else on the Bookouture team. Again: Thanks!
Sharon