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I have many people to thank for their assistance and support as I wrote this book. First and foremost is the founder and director of the South Carolina Center for Birds of Prey, James Elliott, for providing insights, information and corrections on the text. He is an inspiration to us all. Thanks to Franci Krawcke of SCCBOP for answering my questions and for teaching me how to handle raptors. Thanks also to Jemima Parry-Jones for sharing her extensive history and experience with raptors. And as always, heartfelt thanks to my dear friend Mary Pringle, who not only served as my mentor at the SCCBOP, but has shared countless mute-scrubbing duties with me.

Thank you to Marjory Wentworth for generously offering her magnificent poem “Contretemps,” (Nightjars, Laurel Publishing), and for her savvy and indefatigable support as publicist. Heartfelt thanks as well to fellow osprey lover Anne Rivers Siddons.

I am indebted to Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, for graciously offering translation and consultation regarding the character of Lijah and the Gullah/Geechee culture in this book. Your contribution was invaluable. I am also grateful to Gerald Mackey.

Several outstanding nurses shared their knowledge of the issues facing their profession, as well as the commitment and dedication of nurses today. Thank you, Janet Grossman, Gail Stuart, Therese Killeen, Alexandra Koch and Eileen Dreyer. I’m also grateful to Dr. Timothy Assey and Vanessa Ward for answering my questions concerning diabetes.

For an education on eagles, I’m grateful to Tom Murphy of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Thank you to Coastal Carolina Expeditions, Carolina Heritage Outfitters and the Bull Island Ferry for consultations about expeditions on South Carolina’s incredible rivers. A special thank-you to Jerry and Jenny Reves for sharing articles and books, and for a memorable boat trip that expanded my appreciation for this beautiful region. And for a tour in which we stopped for every raptor we spotted, I am grateful to Ruth Cryns Rutledge.

I’m beholden to Buzzy Porter for his incredible support, expertise and friendship, to Patti Morrison for always being there for events with that megawatt smile, and to all the staff at Barnes & Noble, Mt. Pleasant. Likewise, heartfelt thanks to Marge Irizarry and the staff at Waldenbooks, Charleston.

My sincere appreciation goes to my divine editor, Martha Keenan, and to Dianne Moggy, Amy Moore-Benson, Donna Hayes, Craig Swinwood, Isabel Swift, Randall Toye, Tania Charzewski, Stacy Widdrington, Katherine Orr and everyone at MIRA. And, as always, special thanks to Karen Solem. Thank you, Barbara L. Bergwerf, for the photos and for so many other kindnesses you give so freely.

I have the privilege of working with dedicated volunteers at the South Carolina Center for Birds of Prey. These are remarkable individuals who give their time freely. Thank you Robert Allen, Tara Bailey, Beverly Ballow, Susan Bogart, Desiree Boulware, Laura Buchta, Susan Burnet, Simone Castiller, Vicki and Ashley Causey, Jeff and Cari Cone, Linda Flanagan, Sheena Forte, George Gardner, Dave Gunnells, Randy Hausenfluck, Nedra Hecker, Carolyn Hodo, Nadara Hoffmann, Lara Hopkins, Jennifer Jolly, Joline Kennedy, Meghan Lee, Monique Leveille, Michelle Lewis, Gail Lucas, Susan Maguire, Heather Marlowe, Mary Catherine Martin, Angela McClelland, Kelly Moore, Cynthia Murphy, Murray Neale, Marty North, Kay O’Mara, Marjorie Rath, Joe Regan, Joanne Remington, Bill Robertson, Mary Ellen Rogers, Linnea Rogers-Notton, Diane Rountree, Ted Rucker, Paul Rushton, Mary Ellen and Jim Sharman, Audrey South, Stacy Spence, Amy Sprouse, Donna Totten, Michael and Dede Vergot, Mary Whaley, Mima Wicker, Andrea Wilbanks, Linda Zinnika—and to those intrepid souls who travel across the state to pick up and deliver injured birds. I thank you all!

Finally, for much more than I can write here, my love and heartfelt thanks go to my family: to Markus for grace under pressure, Claire, Gretta and, especially, Zachary for patiently being my dialogue coach for teenaged characters.