Dove Season

by Johnny Shaw

  I drove my truck into the circular driveway of my house. Angie and Juan stood up from the sandbox that I had made for him. Angie dusted the sand off her shorts, watching Juan run to my truck on his stubby little legs. He was on me the moment my feet hit the packed dirt. I grabbed him under the arms and lifted him high above me. His laughter filled the air. He had Pop’s laugh.

  It takes a rare friend to take the time to read an early draft of a first novel. I couldn’t have finished this book without the support and feedback of Michael Batty, Jim Furgele, Greg Eliason, and Pete Allen. Thanks, guys.

  A big Inca thanks to Jaime Arze for not only reading the book, but making sure that I didn’t embarrass myself with my ninth-grade Spanish.

  I was very fortunate to be a finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition in 2010. There are far too many people to thank individually. But from the judges to the voters to the Amazon staff, I could not have gotten this book published without you. Thanks.

  Thank you to Alex Carr and everyone at AmazonEncore for taking a chance on this country boy.

  To Richard Drew, I have never given you nearly enough recognition or thanks for your quiet, yet constant support. So here it is. Thank you. Everything that you’ve done for me has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

  Mom, your love and support are a constant that I rely on every day. Sorry for all the swearing in the book.

  And finally and forever, the love of my life, my wife Roxanne. You are my best friend, favorite critic, and biggest fan. I would be nowhere without your love, understanding, and friendship. I truly love our adventure together.

  Dove Season was written at Beulahland in Portland, Oregon.

  Photograph by Roxanne Patruznick, 2011

  Johnny Shaw was born and raised in the Imperial Valley on the Calexico/Mexicali border. He received his Master of Fine Arts in screen-writing from UCLA. In addition to his work as a screenwriter and playwright, he owns a used bookstore and teaches writing. He lives in Portland, Oregon. Dove Season is his first novel.

  Visit Johnny at www.johnnyshawauthor.com