While it’s not my intent that the legal content of Josie’s contract be taken as absolute, or even typical, I took storytelling liberties to enhance actual addendums to benefit the story as a whole.
My imaginary people sort of took over from there. Fictional circumstances, as historically accurate as I could make them based on countless hours of research, evolved to portray a parable. Inspired by both historical accounts and fictitious events, True Nobility was embellished only to edify certain Biblical truths, which are unchanging and eternal.
My sincerest hope is that this book resonates with you as much as it has with me.
REFERENCES
1. William Harden, A History of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume I. Lewis Publishing Company, 1913.
2. Battenberg family. Encyclopædia Britannica, July 20, 1998.
3. www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Morganatic_marriage
My Heartfelt Appreciation
It’s hard to believe Victoria’s story has been with me for over twenty years. The market for Christian fiction wasn’t nearly as supported back then as it is today. Even so, our spirited heiress managed to capture the interest of a couple of secular publishing professionals in the late 1990s. Unfortunately, they proposed changes (remember the bodice ripper genre?) that I wasn’t willing to make. So, I put my manuscript under the bed and put my lifelong dream on hold.
A dear friend, who happened to be a bestselling author at the time, was my first mentor. Full of wisdom and plenty of sass, she saw something in my writing and made me promise not to give up. Since then, she’s passed on but I will tell you all about her someday—quite a testimony. I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank her here. I’m asking the Lord to give her a big hug for me until we meet again.
A couple of years ago I joined American Christian Fiction Writers and attended their local chapter meeting. There I met my second cherished mentor, Lena Nelson Dooley. She invited me to be a part of her critique group where week after week, I learned the craft. Thank you, Lena, Julie, Lisa, Patty, Jackie, Betty, Sydnie, and all the rest who put a colored pen to my pages.
To my writing partners, Conni Cossette, Tammy Gray, Dana Red, and Laurie Westlake. There is no way to adequately express my gratitude for the way you challenge and inspire me to stretch beyond good enough to make my work better. Each one of you has an intuitive gift for story that never fails to amaze me. I love you dearly.
Thank you to my agent Tamela Hancock Murray for taking me on and always believing in me. You are simply the best.
My gratitude to Roseanna White of Roseanna White Designs for your stunning cover design. I’m amazed how you created so perfect a likeness from an image held only in my mind. I am blessed by your many talents.
Early readers, Carol Bates, Cindi Cannon, Erica Wright, Sheri Raymer, Roxanne Wright, Bonnie Sanchez, Tonda Hargrove, Charlotte Kretzschmar, and Betty Wimpy. Your feedback was invaluable and your excitement contagious. Thank you, sweet friends.
To my wonderful mom, dad, husband and family who put up with plenty of fast food dinners and movie nights without me. You never complain about the hours I spend immersed in my world of make believe. Instead, you’ve always been my greatest encouragers. I love each one of you to the moon and back.
Finally, I am forever indebted to my daughter, Ashley Espinoza, who played an important editorial role in this book. You have a knack for seeing the big picture when I get bogged down in details. Your natural skill and eagle eye for inconsistencies helped me color inside the lines. Your keen ability to understand my characters and know what motivates them added dimension. Your genuine, overwhelming love for this story helped bring it to life. I am sincerely grateful for you, Sis.
Father, to You be the all the glory. Always.
True Nobility Page 28
