b'Acknowledgments T his book is the culmination of a many-year writing jour-ney. Many wonderful writers have instructed and en-couraged me, but a few need special mention.JeanetteWindle,mymentor,whosawmypotentialand pushed me until I reached the level she knew I could attain. My agent Cyle Young and his team for teaching me what I needed to know about book proposals and the publishing world. Alison McLennan and Ruth Morris, my indispensable critique partners who helped me conquer plot problems and encouraged me when I doubted I could ever bring this story to life.And my incredibly supportive family, especially my husband, who encouraged me to invest in my writing career long before I was convinced I would ever become a published author.'