by Beth Flynn
To Jim, Kelli, and Katie Flynn, my husband and daughters. You have selflessly given a part of yourselves to help me realize my dream. I always tell people “family first,” but each of you has allowed yourself to become last so that I could do my best to continue to bring this story to life. Your patience, love, understanding, and willingness to support my newfound love of writing is a blessing, and I could not have done it without you.
To Joseph and Patricia Blasi. Thank you for being the best parents in the world and my biggest fans. Your love and support means more than you could ever know. I love you both so very much. To Jennifer L. Hewitt. Thank you for taking me by the hand and patiently introducing me to the online book world and for helping me navigate it ever since. I will be forever grateful for your love of Nine Minutes and your determination to get it “out there.” It worked!
To Adriana Leiker and Nisha E. George. Thank you for being the better two-thirds of our Three Musketeers Club. Your daily devotion to helping and supporting me cannot be measured. I value your friendships and could not, would not, have gotten through this book if it weren’t for the two of you. I love you both to Jupiter and back. But you already know that.
To Jessica Brodie. Thank you for being the best editor an author could ask for. I am so very grateful for your hard work and dedication. I just came up with the story, but you are responsible for making it shine. Thank you, my friend.
To Cheryl Desmidt. Thank you for your eleventh-hour saves. You swoop in when I need you the most and go above and beyond. Your love and dedication to my story causes my heart to swell with love and gratitude.
To Josie Melendez. Thank you for “stumbling upon” my story and sharing it with your friends. You were there from the beginning, and I am so glad you never left. You are the first person who told me you would not accept the fact that Grizz was dead. I was okay with that because I knew the truth all along.
My continued love and heartfelt appreciation also go to the following people who, in their own special way, are responsible for contributing to seeing this novel come to fruition. My apologies if I accidentally left someone out: Aleksandra Adamovic, Allison M. Simon, Anitra Townsend, Beverly Tubb, Catherine Gray, Charity Pierce, Chelsea Cronkrite, Cheryl Desmidt, Christine Pappas, Christy M. Baldwin, Connie Thompson, Corinne Regan Bridges, Denise Sprung, Eli Peters, Ellen Widom, Erin Thompson, Eva McFarden, Heidi Wiley, Jackson Tiller, #JamieOskavarek, Jessica Frider, Jodi Marie Maliszewski, Kate Sterritt, Kelli Blasi, Kim Holden, Lisa Mondragon, Liz Himsworth, Louise Husted, Lynsey Simpson, Marcia Miller-Rogers, Maria Angie Mendoza, Mary Dry, MJ Fryer, Melissa Rice, Nicole Sands, Nicky Boutte, Paola Cortes, Samantha Cobb, Samantha O’sarah Deonarine, Sara Lopez, SE Hall, Shasta Baumgarner, Sunshine Lykos, Suzanne Perry, Teresa Childress, Tesrin Afzal, Vanderline Thorpe and Wendy LeGrand.
Again, my deepest gratitude goes to you all.
