Let the Storm Break

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I wish I could thank every single person who’s supported me as I’ve worked to bring this series into the world. But since I don’t have the space for that, I want to start by thanking you—yes, you. The reader. If you’ve made it this far you’ve obviously read the story, and that is the greatest gift anyone could give me. I’m truly grateful that you’ve shared this piece of your time, and I hope you’ll continue on for the rest of Vane and Audra’s journey.

*pauses for a group hug*

My acknowledgments also wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t call out a few people who really go above and beyond to inspire me and guide me every day. I’m sure I’m probably forgetting some of you (and if I am, blame deadline brain!), but for now I’ll say:

To Miles (a.k.a. The Most Patient Guy in the Universe), thank you for bearing with me through all the long drafting days (and even longer drafting nights), for pretending not to notice how many times I wore the same frumpy sweatpants, and for never complaining about being left alone with the cats. I truly have the best husband ever.

To my parents (a.k.a. The Dream Team), thank you for loving these books as much as I do, for the plethora of rides to and from the airport, and—most important—for understanding when I disappear down the drafting rabbit hole. I’m so glad you’re always there when I resurface.

To Laura Rennert (a.k.a. Super Agent Extraordinaire), thank you for helping make this dream come true, and for guiding me through the many complicated realities that come with it. I am so grateful you’re only an e-mail away. Thank you for always replying.

I also must thank Taryn Fagerness (a.k.a. Co-Conspirator in My Plan to Take Over the World) for bringing this series to so many amazing countries, Lara Perkins (a.k.a. The One Who Helped Me Discover Haboobs) for inspiring me in surprising and hilarious ways, and the rest of the Andrea Brown Literary team for being an awesome support group.

To Liesa Abrams Mignogna (a.k.a. the *real* Batgirl), thank you for the constant support, the lightning-fast reads, and for being Vane and Audra’s number one advocate. I don’t know how I would ever survive these deadlines without you. Thank you for making this job fun.

I also want to thank the amazing people at Simon & Schuster (a.k.a. Team Awesome) who work so hard to prepare and promote my books, especially Katherine Devendorf, Regina Flath, Bethany Buck, Mara Anastas, Paul Crichton, Siena Koncsol, Carolyn Swerdloff, Emma Sector, Julie Christopher, Mike Rosamilia, Michelle Fadlalla, Venessa Carson, Anthony Parisi, Ebony LaDelle, Matt Pantoliano, Michael Strother, Lucille Rettino, Mary Marotta, and the entire sales team. Massive thanks also go to Angela Goddard for designing my breathtakingly beautiful cover and to Brian Oldham for his gorgeous photography.

To Kari Olson (a.k.a. Number One Drafting Cheerleader), thank you for giving me the confidence to keep going and the guidance to keep me on course. I also greatly appreciate how very many inappropriate jokes you resisted making. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for you. ;)

To Sara McClung and Sarah Wylie (a.k.a. The Sara[h]s), and to C.J. Redwine (a.k.a. Queen of Wisdom and Absurdity), thank you for being you. Life gets busy and sometimes months slip by, but somehow you’re always there when I need you most. I will do my best to return the favor.

To Faith Hochhalter (a.k.a. The BookBabe—because there really is no better title), thank you for the apparently unlimited supply of knowledge, encouragement, and general brilliance. I’m grateful for every second of Faith-time I get.

To Heather Brewer (a.k.a. The Rock Star), thank you for coming through with a hilarious interview when I needed it, and for all the ways you prove your overall awesomeness. To Kiersten White (a.k.a. The Voice of Reason), thank you for always pointing out the many ways I make things so much harder than they should be—and for all the awesome lunches. To Debra Driza, Kasie West, and Amy Tintera (a.k.a. Two Blondes and an Introvert), thank you for going on an adventure with me in Texas, and for restoring my faith in events and promotion. To Lisa Mantchev (a.k.a. Agent Sister #1), thank you for regularly checking on me and always finding a way to make me smile. To the brilliant and inspiring ladies of Friday the Thirteeners (a.k.a. My Safe Place), thank you for being a constant sounding board and steady support group to lean on. To Lisa Cannon, Kirsten Hubbard, Nikki Katz, Andrea Ortega, and Cindy Pon (a.k.a. Brunch Buddies!), thank you for the fun times and the unfailing encouragement. And to Katie Bartow (a.k.a. Goddess of Blogging), thank you for the countless ways you’ve given your time, energy, and platform to champion my books.

I also want to give a special thank-you to all the amazing booksellers, teachers, and librarians (a.k.a. The Best People Anyone Will Ever Meet) who’ve helped me get my books in the hands of readers. The longer I’m around this business, the more I realize just how much your support and enthusiasm truly means. You are the heart and soul of this industry, and I am eternally grateful to have you on my side. And to all the bloggers, BookTubers, and any other people who go online and talk about books they love (a.k.a. The Cool People), thank you for helping me spread the word about this series.

And last, but definitely not least, I have to thank everyone who takes the time to follow or subscribe to any of the places I cause shenanigans on the Internet. Thank you for putting up with my randomness, for giving me an excuse to procrastinate, and for patiently wading through all my haboob jokes. Now you finally know what they mean!