Written in the Stars (49 page)
Acknowledgements
Writing a book is a lot like starting a new relationship: you always think it’s going to be better this time. That’s what I said to my husband after the emotional second book that was
The First Last Kiss
. ‘I’m going to enjoy this one!’ He raised an eyebrow in reply. ‘I promise I won’t cry!’ And then to my agent: ‘Don’t worry,’ I said airily and confidently. ‘I know EXACTLY how to make this very confusing
Sliding Doors
-style concept book work, no problem at all . . .’ HA! The truth is at times I found it impossible and it would NEVER have seen the light of day were it not for the following people.
My great friend and writing crusader, Nick Smithers, who once again swooped in superhero style when I was in what I would call a proper pickle, dragged me out of my writing hole, did character and plot brainstorms with me, forced me to do happy dances when I finished a chapter, allowed me to rant about how rubbish it was and that I’d never EVER get to the end – and then who stayed with me, doing all of the above, until I had done just that. Thank you, Nick. I love you, my kids love you, my husband loves you. The annex is yours!
To my uber-agent Lizzy Kremer, who always goes above and beyond the call of duty in her job: friend, mentor, editor, counsellor and work ‘mum’. Thank you for all you do and for never failing to tell me when I have food on my face/in my hair/on my top when on business lunches (delete as appropriate!). What would I do without you? Also big thanks to the rest of the team at David Higham, especially Laura West and Harriet Moore and the incredible translation rights team for selling my books so brilliantly overseas.
To Clare Hey, my acting editor, who stepped into very big shoes when my editor Maxine Hitchcock left – and strutted with style. Thanks too to Jo Dickinson – you both helped transform this book into something, not just publishable, but something I’m incredibly proud of. I really
couldn’t
have done it without you! Special thanks to Mel Four for the beautiful cover and – as always – to the rest of the incredible team at Simon & Schuster, particularly Sara-Jade Virtue, Rumana Haider, Alice Murphy-Pyle, Ally Grant, Dawn Burnett, Nico Poilblanc and Elinor Fewster who are all, always endlessly brilliant. I feel lucky to have you all!
Thanks (again!) to my great friend Paige Toon. Having someone so close who is in the same boat (Books! Kids! Deadlines!) has kept me sane. Although saying that, yours seems to be a much faster, more productive boat so not
quite
the same! Thanks too, to fellow writers Katy Regan & Lucy Robinson for always reassuring me that I’m not the only nutjob on Lizzy’s list! I must also mention the rest of the brilliantly inspiring, funny, supportive, encouraging Kremer Krew – too many to mention here, but I feel very proud to be a part of such a great group of women writers. Here’s to more champagne, cake and chats in future!
Enormous thanks to my great network of local friends – particularly (and in alphabetical order!) Helen Bord, Isabelle Edmondson, Emma Evans, Michelle Jones, Louisa Gordon, Nicola Grantham, Sue Matthews, Dana Payne, Lindsay Thornton and Rachel Widdicombe who have all provided tea and sympathy and/or wine and drunken nights out when needed, who have looked after my kids when I’m on deadline (and looked after me when I’ve needed it, too!). Oh and a special mention to Caroline and all the staff at The Geographer, my lovely local café where I sometimes go to write and drink rocket-fuel lattes!
To my incredible family, especially the grandparents for the endless last-minute babysitting duties during the writing of this book. And of course, my gorgeous nephews and niece, Ethan Whiting, Zack and Amelie Anderson and my cousins Jess Southgate, Jordan, Libby and Finn March who tell EVERYONE about my books. You should be on the pay roll!
An extra special and rather enormous thanks to all my readers, facebook and twitter followers, not forgetting the brilliant book bloggers who support, encourage and inspire me every single day. Your tweets, reviews and messages keep me writing. I hope I’ve done you proud.
And last but never ever least, to my amazingly patient husband Ben for putting up with me through it all. Next time it’ll be better, I promise . . . (!)
Ali Harris
Miracle on Regent Street
Dreams can come true – it could happen to you . . .
For the past two years, Evie Taylor has lived an invisible existence in London, a city she hoped would bring sparkle to her life. But all that is about to change. For winter has brought a flurry of snow and unexpected possibilities
Hidden away in the basement of Hardy’s – once London’s most elegant department store – Evie manages the stockroom of a shop whose glory days have long since passed. When Evie overhears that Hardy’s is at risk of being sold, she secretly hatches a plan. If she can reverse the store’s fortunes by December 26th – three weeks away – and transform it into a magical destination once again, she might just be able to save it.
But she’s going to need every ounce of talent and determination she has. In fact, she’s going to need a miracle . . .
ISBN 978-0-85720-290-1
Price £6.99
Ali Harris
The First Last Kiss
How do you hold on to a love that is slowly slipping away from you?
Can you let go of the past when you know what is in the future?
And how do you cope when you know that every kiss is a countdown to goodbye?
This is the story of a love affair, of Ryan and Molly and how they fell in love and were torn apart. The first time Molly kissed Ryan, she knew they’d be together forever. Six years and thousands of kisses later she’s married to the man she loves.
But today, when Ryan kisses her, Molly realises how many of them she wasted because the future holds something which neither of them could have ever predicted. . .
ISBN 978-0-85720-293-2
Price £6.99
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