Doesn’t this book have a beautiful cover? If you agree, you can join me in thanking Tom Egner and the art department at Avon Books/HarperCollins. I also want to thank Erika Tsang and Amanda Bergeron and the editorial department; Pam and Jessie and the publicity department; and all the others at HarperCollins who work tirelessly to make each book a success. My thanks also to my agent, Michelle Grajkowski.
Here on the home front, I have another support team I wish to thank: my critique group/best friends, MJ, Sandy, and Vicky, who miraculously never get tired of patting me on the back or kicking me in the rear; my children, who miraculously think I’m cool; and my husband, who miraculously believed in me from the beginning.
And then there are you, all of you readers who have embraced the Love at Stake series and kept it going for twelve books now. I thank you for keeping me happily employed. My characters thank you for keeping them alive. May they continue to bring you hope and joy.