Pavel smiled. “Oh, I do.” He kissed her one last time before they turned down the tunnel leading to the dining commons. “I absolutely respect the rations. They brought you to me, didn’t they?”
End of Book Four
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Acknowledgements
As I write these words, almost a year has passed since NASA landed the Curiosity Rover at Bradbury Landing on Mars. I was among a group of people who huddled, shivering, beside the San Francisco Bay at NASA/Ames that night, waiting for the awe–inspiring images showing that Curiosity made it in one piece. I’m not sure if we were shivering from the breeze off the Bay or shivering from excitement, but I know for certain it was one of the great experiences of my life. As the (Terran) anniversary approaches, I am reminded of my debt of gratitude to NASA/Ames and all those scientists and technicians around the world who made that evening possible. Thanks, everyone!
I owe a double debt to Mary Roach, author of the 2010 Packing for Mars. A book about Mars! By a woman! Well, once I read the subtitle (“The Curious Science of Life in the Void”), I began to suspect it wasn’t actually a book about Mars. But her title certainly provided the kick–in–the–pants I needed to spend some more time with the story I’d been tossing around involving a red–haired girl pilot from Mars. With Mars Burning, I’m also indebted to Roach for her excellent and detailed discussion of space sickness.
I cannot convey the depth of my gratitude for Commander Chris Hadfield’s YouTube videos regarding life aboard a space station. I freely admit I cry each and every time I watch his cover of “Space Oddity.” (Thankfully, my tears fall so I can keep watching.)
Thanks to my sekrit support group, my ARC readers, and my Street Team for encouragement and help. Gratitude to my agent, Michael Carr, for just generally being awesomazing. Kudos to my cover artists, old and new, and to the fabulous Alexis Arendt (wordvagabond.com), who provides great editorial feedback. And special thanks to my family, who put up with a mom who always, always has her nose in a book. Mostly, to my dear husband Chris, thanks for making everything work, especially when it doesn’t.
Author’s Note
Would you like to see humans on Mars? Or journey there yourself? You many find the following organizations of interest:
www.planetary.org
www.nss.org
www.spacefrontier.org
www.marssociety.org
www.nasa.gov
www.spacex.com
mars-one.com
Table of Contents
MARS BURNING
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Acknowledgements
Author’s Note
Mars Burning (The Saving Mars Series-) Page 23