As always, there were a lot of people who helped me shape the story, both the original version and the new.
My biggest round of thanks goes to historical-romance writer Tricia Lynne, who has been my most amazing critique partner for a crazy-long nine years now. She questions me in all the right places, pulls things out of me to improve the story, and always challenges me to be my best. She knows exactly where to add more emotion, more description, more action—and I follow her advice to the letter. I can’t thank you enough, Tricia!
I also want to thank my earliest beta readers who gave me so much great feedback to make me a better writer and catch the high scores that got me the finalist spot in 2012: Nancy Freund, Michelle Bailat-Jones, Debi Skubic, Kristi Davis, Crystal Posey, and Michelle Proud.
For the later version:
Thanks go to my mom, Arlene Hayden, for always being willing to talk about plot points on the phone and help me out of plotting jams.
Big thanks to my brainstorming Firebirds for always-fun and funny ideas. Especially, for this book, Sheri Humphreys, Lorenda Christensen, Tamra Baumann, Pintip Dunn, Jean Willett, Priscilla Kissinger, Pamela Kopfler, Wendy LaCapra, and Lexi Greene, who offered calamity ideas that made me giggle.
And extra thanks to friend Tamra Baumann for keeping me on deadline for this book—we were “sprint sisters” for this one, and she really knows how to lift up and motivate.
Thanks to beta readers of the new version: Arlene Hayden, Debi Skubic, Mary Ann Perdue, and Barbara Young.
Big thanks to readers and Facebook page fans Debi Skubic and Tracy Dodd Wickman for suggesting on my Facebook page the fun names for my town stores. Debi named the bookstore (Book, Line, and Sinker) and Tracy named the toy store (Once Upon a Toy). I love having devoted and clever readers!
I also want to thank my amazing agent, Jill Marsal, who goes above and beyond in every single way. I’m so lucky to have her.
And thanks to my editor, Maria Gomez, at Montlake, with an additional shout-out to my developmental editor, Charlotte Herscher—thank you for bringing out the best writing in me. And the copyeditors and cover designers at Montlake are fabulous—thank you all.
As I was finishing this book—about six weeks from the final deadline—I was diagnosed with breast cancer. A whole team of people rallied behind me to help me deal with the fear and panic, and then take the steps I needed to start on the road to treatment. And I wanted to finish the book! When you’re six weeks away from completing your dream, it’s hard to stop. Everyone’s support—even if it wasn’t directly about the book—really allowed me get it done. All my fellow writers, coworkers, publishing team, and readers—thank you for getting me to the finish line on my fourth book, which is a dream I still can’t believe I’m living.
And, during my cancer fight, a huge, huge, heartfelt thanks to my family and friends. Cancer can take away a lot of things—your hair, your confidence, your security in the future. But one of the things it can never take away is the amazing knowledge that family and friends are there no matter what. I knew that theoretically, but when I needed them in reality, they came through so fast and lovingly I didn’t even know how to respond. (Mostly I cried!) (Like every day!) My husband was my cancer hero, and he cared for me every single day—he’s always been my Superman. My family and friends (and that includes reader friends!) sent so many encouraging texts, phone calls, cards, letters, prayers, chemo scarves, chemo caps, dinners, pep visits, cozy gifts—I felt so loved, supported, and encouraged. It really helped me through.
I thank you all so very much, and this book is dedicated to you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2013 Shawn Oudt
Lauren Christopher is the author of the Lavender Island series, which includes The Kiss on Castle Road and Love on Lavender Island, as well as the Sandy Cove series, which includes The Red Bikini and Ten Good Reasons. She has been a 2015 Holt Medallion finalist and a 2012 Golden Heart finalist. A professional writer for more than two decades, she has worked on projects ranging from NASA video scripts and restaurant reviews to feature stories on the origins of Santa Claus. A graduate of UCLA with a degree in English, she resides in Southern California with her husband and three children. She loves to hear from readers! Visit her website to say hello and learn more about her books at www.laurenchristopherauthor.com.
Love on Lavender Island (A Lavender Island Novel Book 2) Page 33