Acknowledgments
A writer needs time and space to create. For the gift of peace and quiet, and a table where I could set down my laptop and get to work, I thank these gracious hosts: Christine Murray and John Rossell; Vince Constabileo and Peter Howells; Lawrence Mendenhall and Rich Horan; Paul Festa and James Harker; and Maria Maggenti. And for allowing me to spend hours nursing coffee while I wrote, I send my appreciation to a long list of baristas in San Francisco, in particular Sal Flores at Jumpin’ Java and Kevin Cheeseman at Maxfield’s.
Various parts of this novel required research to come alive. For help with this, I thank Pat Kuchon, who gave me an insider’s tour of Seaside Heights; Ricky Paul, for sharing stories of Philadelphia; as well as Joe Elwin, Monique Jenkinson, and Blake Woodhull, whose memories illuminated my characters and settings.
David Booth, Catherine Brady, Elizabeth Costello, and John Vlahides encouraged me through a difficult period of doubt, for which I can’t say “thank you” forcefully enough; their attentiveness to my earliest drafts made all the difference. My gratitude also to these friends and colleagues who read this book in manuscript form and responded quickly, with generosity and intelligence: Kevin Clarke, Rose Haynes, Dave Hickey, PJ Jones, Christine Murray, Will Rountree, and Sonia Stamm. A special thanks to Liam Passmore, for knowing just when and how to ping. I’m happy also to acknowledge my father, Karl, and my sisters, Karen and Kim, for a lifetime of enthusiasm.
My collaborative relationships with Jandy Nelson at Manus & Associates Literary Agency and John Scognamiglio at Kensington Books have been the foundation of my writing life for a decade. I offer my enduring gratitude, respect, and admiration.
Finally, to Kevin: I don’t know what I did to deserve you. You lived this along with me. All acknowledgment leads back to you.
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2010 by K. M. Soehnlein
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2009943466
ISBN: 978-0-7582-5805-2
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