Wrong Way Summer

by Heidi Lang

  I’m very fortunate in all my writer friends, but this book especially owes a lot to Justin Stewart, who read my opening and encouraged me to keep going, Suzi Guina, who talked me through a plot tangle or two, and the rest of my Kidliterati group: Katie Nelson, Tara Creel, Kaitlin Hundscheid, and Jennifer Camiccia. My support crew for this book also included my cousin Kitty, who shared words of encouragement (and wine) when I needed them most.

  I first heard the saying “Never let the facts get in the way of a good story” from my late Grandpap Crowley. I hope he would be proud of how I’ve put that motto to use. I also borrowed the last name and larger-than-life charisma (and epic thumb dancing!) from my late uncle Bill, who I didn’t really get a chance to know, but whose stories have taken on a life of their own. Thank you to the rest of the Jacobus family for welcoming me and sharing those stories, especially my mother-in-law Lyn Lang, who also shared the legend of her ancestor “Wrong Way Jacobus,” and allowed me to invent my own version.

  I shamelessly borrowed troll tales and mannerisms from my uncle Steve, as well as certain personality traits from my cousins, Christy and Paul. Thank you for keeping my childhood summers exciting. Also thank you to Aunt Chris for keeping an eye on all of us. And to the rest of my family, including my parents, Rich and Rose, my in-laws, Lyn and Bruce, my sisters, Kati, Rosi, and Ashley, and my brothers, Ed, Nick, and Jesse: I would not be the person I am today without all of you in my life.

  And finally, to my husband Sean. There is no one I’d rather share a van with. Thank you for all the adventures.

  About the Author

  Heidi Lang believes that the next Grand Adventure is always just around the corner. She has chased her love of judo from the East to the West Coast, run ultramarathons, started her own dog walking business, and converted a Sprinter van into a tiny home so she could experience #vanlife. Currently she lives in eastern Washington with her husband and two dogs. She is the coauthor of The Mystic Cooking Chronicles series (A Dash of Dragon, A Hint of Hydra, and A Pinch of Phoenix), as well as the author of Rules of the Ruff.

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