The Crown Jewels Boxed Set (A Crown Jewels Romantic Comedy Series)

by Melanie Summers

  All the very best to you and yours,

  Melanie

  SERIES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  As much as I'd love to take credit for 100% of the success of the Crown Jewels Series, that would be a complete lie. Any book—written by me, anyway—requires many sets of eyes, helpful hands, and sharp minds. From plotting to editing to proofreading, every novel needs months of work and many friends along the way to help guide the process and keep me on track.

  Those who know me, know that I tend to be a bit of a panicker and sometimes need to be talked down from pushing the delete button on whatever book I'm working on at the moment. I reach this point several times throughout each manuscript, especially as I near the end, then again when I move on to the rigorous and sometimes heart wrenching experience of editing, which includes cutting thousands of words with which I've kind of fallen in love.

  This series has seen three hard work working editors help me along the way: Lori Wale, (an American living in England), who edited The Royal Treatment, Kim Huther, (an American living in America), who edited The Royal Wedding, and finally, Karen Boston, (another fabulous American), who not only edited The Royal delivery, but also batted cleanup on the other two books. Thank you to each of you for your incredible patience, flexibility, and your contribution to this series.

  I also have my group of eagle eye friends to thank, including Melissa Martin of the Effin Book Club in Arizona, who, lucky for me, proofreads my books for funsies. My very sweet and funny mom has also served as a most helpful proofreader on this series as well, now that I’m finally writing books she can read.

  And while I'm on the topic of my mom, I need to thank you for bringing me into this world, raising me to be my best and to care for others, and for everything you do each week to make my life possible. Don't worry; I'll pick out the very nicest nursing home for you. ;)

  Huge hugs and thanks to my very dear friend Kelly Collins of Colorado, who is an amazing author and savvy businesswoman in her own right. Kelly is one of my go-to people for talking me off the ledge on many an occasion. Her patience, support, and unwavering faith in my abilities is often the difference between me putting out my next book and closing my laptop to go in search of a real job.

  I'd like to thank Jenn Falls (or Jenn in Japan as my kids know her). Jenn is my plotting coach and my most excellent friend who continually reminds me to keep it simple.

  To Tim Flanagan of Novel Design Studio who puts together the print versions off all my books for me with great speed and perfectionism. You’re a good friend and a true gentleman, and I’m grateful to know you.

  To narrators, Shiromi Arserio and Tom Bromhead, as well as all of the production and acquisition staff over at Tantor Media, for bringing Tessa and Arthur to life in audiobook form, thank you times a million. You have captured the essence of these characters and these stories perfectly. It has been an incredible treat to hear how you do it.

  To my agent, Suzanne Brandreth, and the rest of the gang at Cooke Agency, including Ron, Hana, Leah, Rachel, Paige, Sally, Dean, and Carolyn, for supporting me and allowing me to have the freedom to put out my unconventional stories at a rapid pace. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the confidence you have in me, the knowledge you share, and the many doors you've opened and ushered me through in the past four years that we've worked together.

  And to every fantastic blogger and reader out there who has supported my career, YOU are why I write. If it weren't for you, I'd just be a crazy woman in her pajamas talking to imaginary friends. But because of you, I'm called an author.

  As always, I need to thank my smart, witty, ridiculously handsome husband, Jeremy, for your steadfast love and support, for all the laughter and fun, and for all of the quiet afternoons when you take the kids out so I can get caught up (because I am always behind).

  And to my three beautiful children, Owen, Anna, and Elizabeth, who always believe in me, often make me laugh, and love me unconditionally, even when I correct their grammar. Sorry kids, that's not going to stop anytime soon. Oh, and ‘brang’ is not now, nor ever will be, a real word.

  Huge thanks and love to my dad who teaches me so much, and who has shown me the power of determination and hard work. And to his wife, Susan, who tells everyone she meets all about this crazy writer she's related to, thank you!

  Hugs and eternal gratitude to the real Nikki (who doesn't take ridiculously long baths, is wickedly intelligent, and holds a job so complicated I can't even explain what she does. It has something to do with spreadsheets and surveys). I'm so damn lucky to have you as my BFF and to share so much of life's joy and sorrow with you.

  For my girlfriends, Karlee, Kristyn, Kelly, and Deann, whose laughter and friendship I could not do without. So, thank you!

  And finally, for Lucy, our one-eyed dog, who reminds me nothing is worth dwelling on too long. Take your lumps and just get back to being happy.

  Much love and gratitude to you all!

  XOXO,

  Melanie