Authors: Julane Hiebert
Robin (33 page)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To our sons and their wives: Kip and Becky, Rob and Tami, who have encouraged me this entire journey. I love you all so very much, and value your prayers and encouragement. They think I am going to get rich . . . and they will inherit it. Won’t they be surprised!
To my critique partners, past and present: Sara, Cherie, Susie, Jennie, and Peg, who have had the courage to read my work, chew it up, spit it back at me, and rejoiced when I’ve finally gotten it right.
To my writing group: Christian Writers Fellowship, in Girard, Kansas, who have listened, critiqued, encouraged, and taught me so much.
To the “cabin” critters: Debi V., Deb R., Sara, Susie, Susan, Laura, and Christy, whose brains storm better than Kansas. And they bring chocolate.
To Deb R, for the edit and encouragement.
To my beta reader: Jeanie, who has endured the many, many changes that occur during the birth of a book. And who is a constant encourager, and prayer warrior.
And my beta “listener,” hostess with the mostest, and sweet cousin Kathy who has the patience to listen to me read my story to her, stops me when she doesn’t understand what in the world I was trying to say, and tries very hard not to go to sleep while I’m reading.
To the Hinkle family: Sam, Karen, Mason and Kensi, who live on the Rocking SK Ranch, which in my story is the Feather. I’ve combined the father and son’s names to give to one of the characters in this story. Karen is also the photographer for my author’s picture. Sam and Karen have supplied me with old pictures of the ranch home (built around the time of the Civil War) and have given me an open invitation to tramp around their ranch any time.
To our grandchildren: Rachel, Leah, Kirsten, Seth, Amy, and Drew, who are a constant joy and encouragement . . . and who keep me on my knees in prayer. I’ve begged for pink kneepads for years—so far, they’ve not paid heed.
I’m so very thankful for the part each of you have played in bringing this, my debut book, to fruition. You believed in me. What a precious gift. I love you all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julane Hiebert lives with her husband in a wee cottage by the lake in the beautiful Flint Hills of Kansas. Her love of prairie comes from a childhood spent as the daughter of a cowboy. While encouraged to pen the family’s story of raising two handicapped daughters, she has chosen to incorporate the lessons learned into the lives of the characters in her novels. Julane is the organist for a small church in an even smaller town tucked away in the hills. Living close to one son and daughter-in-law and three of their six grandchildren has been a blessing—and a relief to the son who is still 1.5 hours away. She enjoys music, reading, junk shopping, and chocolate—mostly chocolate. Julane has a passion to present God’s truth in everyday events, with ordinary not-too-perfect characters.