Читать книгу Sacrifice - Brigid Kemmerer - Страница 5

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book almost did me in. You’re holding this book in your hands because my husband, my agent, and my editor are the most patient, encouraging, supportive, and motivating people on earth. Holy cow, I am not exaggerating when I say this book wouldn’t have gotten written without their support.

Michael, my husband, is my best friend, and he makes a great sounding board. He also gets me going when I need it. Thanks to the newest addition to our family, he’s just as sleep deprived as I am, but you’d never know it. Honey, thank you for everything.

Mandy Hubbard, my agent, is beyond compare. When I thought I’d hit rock bottom, she threw me a rope. One day I’m going to meet her in person and tackle her with hugs. Thank you, Mandy, for everything.

Alicia Condon, my fearless editor, is the most patient person alive. I am fully convinced she’s unflappable. I’m so lucky to have her in my corner. Thank you, Alicia. When I say I can’t thank you enough, I mean it.

As always, tremendous thanks to my critique partners Bobbie Goettler and Alison Kemper Beard. You guys have been there since the beginning. I’m so lucky to have you as my friends. I can’t imagine being on this journey without you.

This book involves a lot of firefighting and paramedic information, as well as encounters with law enforcement, so it required a lot more research than I was ready for. Extra special thanks and hugs to Kimberly Hart-Smith and Ed Kiser of the Riviera Beach Volunteer Fire Department, as well as Jim Kali-nosky of the Baltimore County Police Department. When people offer to help me with research, I don’t think they’re ever ready for the amount of information I’m going to need, so I owe you all a tremendous thanks for answering all my questions. I took all of their knowledge and twisted it to fit my needs. Any errors are mine alone.

Many people read chapters (or the whole manuscript!) at the drop of a hat, and the book is better for their insights: Joy Hensley George, Jim Hilderbrandt, Nicole Mooney, Nicole Kali-nosky, Sarah Fine, Rachel Shaw, Nicole Choiniere-Kroeker. Thank you all, so much.

Extra-special thanks to the Kemmerer boys, Jonathan, Nick, Sam, and Baby Zach, for being the best kids a mom could have. When I first started writing about the Merrick brothers, I never knew I’d end up with four boys of my own. I love you all. So much.

Finally, thanks to you, my readers, for going on this journey with me. When Becca saved Chris in that parking lot, I never knew how much the Merrick brothers would have to say. I’m so glad I’ve had the chance to tell their stories, and that you’ve been there to enjoy them. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your emails, your tweets, your Facebook messages, and your letters. Thank you.