For my late mother, mentor, and favorite author, Betty Dorsett Duke.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I thank God and my mother for all of their assistance. I would like to express my most profound gratitude to my literary agent, Fiona Spencer Thomas. I also thank my sister, Teresa Duke, my father, Joe Duke, and my brother, John Duke, for the help and tremendous support they have provided. Much appreciation and thanks to my friend author Phillipa (Faulks) Lee for her invaluable assistance. I would also like to express my profound gratitude to my editor, Kayla Toher, for the invaluable help and advice.