My husband: My mate, my life partner who puts up with my constant daydreaming and silliness. You urged me, Every. Single. Day. You told me that I cannot go back. I can’t stop. I have to keep moving-moving-moving. And, thank you. Thank you for having that faith in me – even when I didn’t have it for myself, even when I questioned myself – you never gave up on believing I could do it. I love you.
My children, my little sweets: Anasofia who at 11 years old you told me, “Mom, you HAVE to do this.” Yes, my mini, you helped to make this happen more than you could even understand. To Mateo, my littlest of the littles, you are my viewing buddy who doesn’t complain about my countless fantasy and medieval movie choices, watching along-side me wanting to learn more and more about medieval times – you helped keep me up on my knowledge. Thank you to you both my little loves. This is all for you . . . My Legacy.
William ‘Bill’ Fowlkes for being my friend, co-worker, and beta reader. For having devoted hours – yes, many countless hours, to this endeavor of mine. Your talent in proofreading and beta-reading has proven invaluable. It was not an easy task. Okay, you don’t have to say it, but I will: It was not an easy task – so thank you. Your help and feedback were wonderfully candid and precious. What would I have done without your support? I really cannot say.
My other co-workers and friends – I’m so thankful there are so many of you – I have always felt supported from the very beginning and for that I am beyond thankful. Special thanks to: Mark Saffell, Steven Wieckowski, Russ Shumshinov, and Mario Bueno for wonderful guidance on this. Co-workers: Hope C., Ken R. Dan N. and Kim B. - for helpful information, for always wondering about my progress, and encouraging me on. To my teammates at work: Chris Z., Gabe R., Michelle F., Maddie G., Rob E., Leslie B., Anne N., Kayla K., Ed S., Ryan H., Lauren S., and Victor R . . . for your support. Thank you all. You are the best teammates that a person could have.
My parents: I am truly fortunate to have grown up with four amazing parents. I can’t imagine my life without you. You carved me, molded me, and helped to make me who I am today. I thank God daily for your wisdom and parenting – even now in my own adultness because I’m still being formed and molded. I still don’t know everything. To my dad, Edwin Reyes, for having read my book and telling me “You’ve got something here – keep going, keep going . . .” Your words were quenching – teaching me always to use my imagination and the power of music. Thank you, from the depths of me. My mom, Elida Reyes, a devoted reader encouraging me to make a difference in the world around me. My dad, Juan Cantu and my mom, Brigida Cantu, for praying over me during this process and telling me that you will not read it until it comes out – YES! You know exactly what drives me – that challenge! I love the blend of the parenting over me. Thank you. My Siblings: Norman Alegre, Jessica and Gregorio Riojas, as well as, Rick and Ewa Malone– for your love and encouragement. For believing in me. Thank you. My plentiful families: I love each of you. Special thanks to: Aunt Pat Mitchel and Uncle Rene Flores for all the prayers.
To the people at Reedsy – The entire process. Seriously. There was wonderful support from the very beginning until the end. I ask so many questions. I imagine you started your meetings with a big problem-solving board that read “Today’s topic: Maria- How to Solve???” The education, the tutorials, the professionals – you folks made this happen. I am thankful for all the wonderful things that you do - thankful for your team. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
To Dan Van Oss – Talented cover artist and designer: Thank you, not only for your genius and beautiful work, but also for your patience with me throughout this process. You’re amazing – I mean, seriously. Hats off to you and to your awesome talent, good sir.
To my teachers. Yes. I am so thankful to have several of you in my life. Thank you for helping me identify this fire that resides in me and for teaching me the basics: the alphabet, sentence formation, spelling. Teachers - educators make the future, guide the future. Thank you: Ms. Lynn Campbell, Mrs. Patty Greenlees, and to Mrs. Kelly (Webster) Rice for my 2nd grade writing assignment that started all of this. It was about different ways that seeds can be spread in nature. I wrote of a fluffy dog with seeds stick to his fur. I had that ‘A’ graded paper on the fridge, forever. That writing project that started all of this - proof that sometimes teacher’s ‘seeds’ take time to sprout. Thank you to my friend Mrs. Melissa R. Stevens for bringing us all together.
To my long-time friend and photographer Mrs. Gerri Milkovie – Thank you for the lovely picture, that eye for detail and the ability to identify beauty found in a mere split second. You are talented my dear friend.
To Amanda Rutter: You assisted me in the beginning stages of the editing process. With your help, I was able to construct a fine manuscript. Thank you for feedback.
To Heather Wallace for your wonderful advice and guidance on my marketing strategy and to Matthew Prodger my web site creator and designer. Thank you for the lovely website. I am so very fortunate to have had your help on that.
To my pastor for helping in the beginning of this process when I wasn’t sure if I was focusing where I needed to focus. For helping me understand that this is a talent that I should be working at. Thank you.
To my readers: Thank you. I hope and pray that you were pleased. Your support and time have brought me here to this point. I promise you; I could not have done this without you. Thank you from the depths of me. I promise to write to my full potential for YOU.
If you’re working on your passion – don’t you give up. Never give up. You’ve got this. You are going to make this happen. Keep going!
Dearest Friends and Readers,
The first book in a series can be challenging for an author, and this is because we are creating a new world, culture, places, and complex charactors. However, penning this book has been a wonderful learning experience and has allowed me to further grow my skills as a writer. It brings me great joy to be able to share this newly crafted world with you.
Now that you’ve had a chance to join Lanico on his quest, please stop-by and provide a review on Amazon.com to let me know your thoughts. You can follow me on: Instagram and Twitter. In addition, there is also my website: ecantualegre.com, to see the latest on upcoming books.
The next book is “Return of the Son”. This second book follows Lanico and his warriors, strategizing and implementing the battle at the Castle of Odana. Lanico and Treva delve further into their shared connection, and new love blooms elsewhere in his party. Just as Lanico seems to have everything he set to accomplish, the unexpected threatens to unravel all that he has worked for. His destiny and his hopes may slip from his fingertips. To find out more and to begin the next adventure, please pick up your copy of “Return of the Son” at Amazon.com.
From the bottom of my heart, from the deepest place within me,
I thank you. Your novelist, E Cantu Alegre
Please visit Amazon.com for “The Legacy of Lanico: Return of the Son” The second book in the Legacy of Lanico series.
Featured cover art (below) by Ryan Schwarz
Jeremiah 29:11-14
The Legacy of Lanico: Reclaiming Odana Page 33