Romance Is My Day Job (28 page)

Many wonderful people supported me through this unforgettable experience:

Thanks to my mother, who pushed me to write when I first expressed an interest in storytelling. I hope this book gives me a pass on ordering an appetizer at dinner—forever. But I'll continue to enjoy your recitation of the menu. You're the best, Mom!

Thank you, Patrick, my amazing brother, who encouraged me over and over to dream big and never give up. After a while, it sunk in.

Big thanks to my agent, Jeff Kleinman, who discovered my story by accident and believed in it. His encouragement and insight made me work harder (and nearly throw up, but in a good way). Everyone needs someone who can push you to do better and support you at the same time.

I am deeply grateful for the spectacular Dutton team, who made this process a pleasure. A special thank-you to my editor, Jill Schwartzman, for giving me brilliant editorial guidance and unflagging support. During my diva moments of self-doubt, Jill lent me her confidence in the project and helped me keep my eye on the prize. Thank you to Stephanie Hitchcock, who made such valuable suggestions, which helped shape this story. Thank you, Ben Sevier, for being such a champion for this book. From the beginning, he helped me feel welcome at Dutton. Thank you, Brian Tart, for taking a chance on an unknown. Thank you, Christine Ball, publicist extraordinaire, for guiding me in this foreign field, which turned out to be an exciting one. Marketing director Carrie Swetonic provided a vision of the places this story could go. I'm thankful for art director Monica Benalcazar's artistic translation of the story into such a fetching cover. Thank you, LeeAnn Pemberton, for all that you did to shepherd this book in the production process.

Thank you to Brandy Rivers, of the Gersh Agency, who saw the potential for
Romance Is My Day Job
on-screen.

A special thank-you to Sam Warren for being my super-secret first reader (and such a good friend).

I'm lucky to have my fantastic family and friends, some of whom may not have been mentioned specifically in the book but who are always part of the bigger story. Thank you to the Mercurios, Nesters, Sullivans, Smiths, Gallants, Blooms, Kelleys, Carlos Cano, Lou Liberty, Rachel Astarte Piccione, Nici Derosier, Natasha Chornesky, Langdon Bosarge, Joseph Weyers, Leslie Aaron, John Haracopos, Diane Echlin, Jenny Bent, Louise Fury, and my Facebook, Oberlin, Sandia Prep, and Taft families (
hic haec hoc
, Mr. Cobb).

If it weren't for Harlequin, there would be fewer pages. I'm especially indebted to Melissa Endlich, Gail Chasan, Ann Leslie Tuttle, Sarah Pelz, Allison Carroll, Dana Hamilton, Rachel Burkot, Mary-Theresa Hussey, Allison Lyons, Natashya Wilson, Glenda Howard, Shana Smith, Susan Litman, Margaret Marbury, Theresa Linton, Margo Lipschultz, Reka Rubin, Kristin Errico, MRF, my amazing authors, Dianne Moggy, Loriana Sacilotto, Donna Hayes, and Tracy Farrell, who hired a Latin/French major so many years ago.

My thanks to all the romance writers out there. You inspire me.

And, of course, the biggest thanks to Sam W. Bloom, who makes me happy every single day.

In 1864, E. P. Dutton & Co. bought the famous Old Corner Bookstore and its publishing division from Ticknor and Fields and began their storied publishing career. Mr. Edward Payson Dutton and his partner, Mr. Lemuel Ide, had started the company in Boston, Massachusetts, as a bookseller in 1852. Dutton expanded to New York City, and in 1869 opened both a bookstore and publishing house at 713 Broadway. In 2014, Dutton celebrates 150 years of publishing excellence. We have redesigned our longtime logotype to reflect the simple design of those earliest published books. For more information on the history of Dutton and its books and authors, please visit www.penguin.com/dutton.