Authors: Lorie Langdon

Gilt Hollow (29 page)

BOOK: Gilt Hollow

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

W
riting a mystery/suspense story is much more complicated than the Nancy Drew books made it seem. Combine that unique challenge with writing two novels simultaneously (
Forever Doon
and
Gilt Hollow
), and some pretty intense illness in my family, and you have the perfect recipe for insanity, but THANKFULLY I have many extraordinary people in my life who wouldn't let me slip over the edge!

It's a challenge to contain my gratitude within the boundaries of a few lines of print, but know that these words merely scratch the surface of my appreciation.

Gilt Hollow
wouldn't have been possible without the remarkable publishing team at Blink. My heartfelt thanks to each one of you for your creativity, hard work, and vision!

To my ROCK STAR agent, Nicole Resciniti, for believing in this story even before I did . . . You were right, as usual. Thank you!

Thanks to my husband, Tom, for asking on our first date if he could see me the next day, and the day after, and the day after that . . . and inspiring the end of this novel. I LOVE
all
our amazing days together!!!

To my parents, who struggled at times to raise this idealistic dreamer. Thank you for giving me a solid foundation to stand on as I reached for the stars. I love you both!

Thanks to my second family, the Moeggenbergs, for accepting this odd, creative girl as one of your own. (This includes all the Fowlers and the Freemans.) I'm GRATEFUL beyond words for each one of you!

To Carey Corp, my writing partner, co-conspirator, and friend. Our lives have become so intertwined that branching out on my own with this novel has been equal parts exciting and terrifying. But wherever this crazy life takes us, we will always be linked by our Calling.

A shout out to our Doonians all over the world! Words can't express my gratitude for your enthusiasm and support. THANK YOU for following me on this detour outside of our mythical kingdom!

To Melissa Landers, my critique partner, traveling companion, and sounding board; your friendship is a brilliant LIGHT in my life!

To Laurie Pezzot for falling in love with Ashton and Willow as I brainstormed this book between bites of chips and salsa. Thank you for continually reminding me that this story was worth telling.

Many thanks to my oldest friends Jennifer Gifford Egbert and Lisa Litz for inspiring the character of Lisa Giffordâevery girl needs good friends who will force her out of her comfort zone when necessary!

Thanks to my brother-in-law, Jon Moeggenberg, for patiently answering my rambling, hypothetical law enforcement questions. If you read this book, hopefully they make sense now!

To the thriller queen, Natalie Richards, for beta reading and giving me a quote that still blows me away!

Thanks to my dear friends who see the same truth: Tricia Lacey, Angie Knopp, Brenda Hess, Jen Osborn, Sara (Ella) Larson, Mindee Arnett, and Kelly Innes Shults. Your faith and courage INSPIRES me to continue on the right path.

To all my other family and friends whom I haven't mentioned by name, I appreciate each and every one of you!

My writing career, and all that entails, is due to the MAGNIFICENT God who saw something in me that I did not, and called me to a bigger destiny than I could have imagined. I'm grateful every day that he drew me out of the boat and onto the turbulent waters of this amazing journey!