Red Hill

Acknowledgments

WRITING IS OFTEN A SOLITARY job, but no author does it alone. If I didn’t have my manager, biggest cheerleader, and strongest supporter in my corner, the distractions of life wouldn’t quiet down long enough for me to write a sentence, much less an entire novel. My husband is all of those things for me. Thank you for always calming the waters, love.

Thank you to Wes Hughes for always being kind. In 2008 you helped me, a struggling student, make ends meet, and in 2013 you let me, a struggling-to-meet-her-deadline author, stay in your guest house to finish Red Hill. Your smiling face and ever-encouraging words will forever stay with me.

Amy Tannenbaum, who rolls with whatever I throw her way, be it laughter in the morning or late-night, panicked texts. You are not only my super-editor-turned-agent, you’re one of my most treasured friends. I’ve said before I wouldn’t want to experience any part of this process without you, and it’s still true. Your pep talks and constant voice of reason make me feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t have you in their life. Also, enormous appreciation for the amazing Chris Prestia and all the folks at the Jane Rotrosen Agency for all you do.

Greer Hendricks came on as my editor in February of this year to replace Amy. Amy assured me Greer was perfect for me, and, as always, Amy was right. Greer has taken my writing to the next level, entertained my son in the backseat while stuck in traffic on the way to a book signing, and quite literally saved a manuscript for me—while on vacation, I might add. Thank you, Greer. I don’t like change, but you’ve most graciously made this the most wonderful transition I could have hoped for.

After six novels, Nicole Lambert has been inexcusably overlooked when writing my acknowledgments. Nicole helped me set up my very first website back when I was posting one chapter at a time of Providence, before I discovered self-publishing. To add to my shame, she has never once reminded me of that fact. I love you, Nicole. You have been a fantastic friend.

A year ago I was in New York City meeting the geniuses at Atria Books. I was hugely pregnant, sweaty (it was August), and nervous as hell. Waiting for me in the lobby was Ariele Fredman, smiling and funny and oh-so-calming. I couldn’t begin to list everything she does for me, but know that she is the best publicist an author could ask for. Thanks for being everything, Mermaid.

Enormous gratitude to my publisher, Judith Curr, who rules the world of Atria with an iron pillow. She is one of the most intelligent and intriguing people I’ve ever met, a force of nature, and yet she’s a safe place to land when I need things to go right. Thank you, Judith. I wouldn’t want anyone else to run my show!

A big thanks to my team at Atria! If I listed everyone who helped to mold this novel into its current state, I would need rolling credits, but I’ll take this opportunity to sincerely thank a few: Isolde Sauer, Ben Lee, Sarah Cantin, Hillary Tisman, Jackie Jou, and Kimberly Goldstein.

I want to thank my assistant, Colton. I’m not sure how I managed my career—or my life—before he came along. Thank you for all you do! Here’s to many more terrifying (but safe) plane rides together!

Dr. Ross Vanhooser is someone who has appeared in my acknowledgments time and time again. Had he not believed in me, and encouraged me in an environment where no one else did, my life and career would be in a much different place. This time around, he also assisted me with my medical research for Red Hill. You have always offered invaluable advice, benevolent help, and endless enthusiasm. Thank you so very much. I’ll never forget your kindness.

I also wish to thank Sharon Ronck. When others asked her to not wave my flag quite so high, she proudly held up two. I’m honored to have fulfilled your predictions! We need more people in this world with a heart like yours.

To Leah, Miranda, Ashley, David, Angie, and Christie for the use of their names, and for allowing me to add fictional flair to their characters.

To authors Colleen Hoover, Karly Lane, Lani Wendt Young, Eyvonna Rains, and Tracey Garvis Graves for reading Red Hill and validating that I wasn’t absolutely insane for going with my gut and in a completely different direction. I so appreciate your time and enthusiasm.

Finally, I wish to thank my daughters for having such big, amazing personalities and letting me write about them. I learned what all-consuming, unconditional love is when you came into my life. Since 1999, my heart has lived on the outside of my body. Since 2005, that joy, fear, and suspense has been doubled. I hope if you choose to become mothers, your children might give you half the joy you’ve gifted to me. Maybe then you’ll understand why I look at you the way I do.

E, thanks for working on this with me, Taterbug. You are going to blow me out of the water someday very soon.

And to my little man: You are perfection. You are tied as one of the three best things I’ve ever done. It brings me so much joy that you’ll never know what life was like before our dreams came true, and I’m so thankful that, thanks to my fans, I work from home so I can spend as much time with you as I possibly can, because I wouldn’t want it any other way.

So much love to my readers! You’ve made the impossible possible for my family and me. A lost, small-town girl became a #1 New York Times bestselling author. If that’s not a miracle, I don’t know what is!