It felt like this day would NEVER arrive! But just as Christmas always sneaks up on me with quick cat feet, here it is both suddenly and at last!
But it didn’t get here by itself.
Behind every published writer stands an entire team! I’m tremendously fortunate to have a great one in the form of family, friends, and professionals who help me make my stories the best they can be— and keep me sane with coffee, kind words, and unbelievable patience.
To my publisher, Montlake Romance; my wonderful editors, copy editors, and proofreaders; and my intrepid Author Team. You guys seriously rock! I could not ask for more positive people to work with.
To artist Jason Blackburn for another amazing cover. You captured the hero on the first try! And to narrator Justine Eyre for bringing my Grim Series to vibrant life as audiobooks— my readers adore your voice work and I do, too. To my agent, Stephany Evans of Ayesha Pande Literary. Your encouragement helped more than you know during an especially challenging year.
To Melody Guy for once again helping me sharpen my focus and tighten my prose. And to Sharon Stogner of Devil in the Details Editing for her fearless red-pen work on the very first draft. Thanks to both of you, my story isn’t walking around with spinach in its teeth!
To all of Dani’s Darklings for cheering me on through thick and thin. What began as a street team has become one lucky writer’s online support group, filled with truly amazing friends. And to Melissa Toews, Tina Clare, Sharon Stogner, Katie Dalton, and Honorary Darkling Jake S. Black, for permitting some of my characters to borrow your names.
To cosplayer Heidi Taylor (aka Triniti’s Ghost) for once again loaning me her irrepressible cats. Bouncer, Jade, and Rory first appeared in Storm Bound and insisted on returning! And to Gay Bamburg McDonald and Mike McDonald for sharing their handsome Neapolitan mastiff and Honorary Grim, Vincent de BluHouse. Calm, steady, and dignified, Vincent has been the perfect inspiration for the unique grim in this story.
To my mountain-man husband, Ron Silvester. For reading and rereading every page of every version of this book, usually in frustratingly unconnected bits and chunks. For courage under fire (otherwise known as living with an introverted, obsessive, and frequently discouraged writer). For giving me the time and space to write in peace but occasionally staging an intervention to get me out of the house (and also for not taking the kicking and screaming personally). I love you.
