I never imagined I’d have an idea for a book while sitting in an airport bar. While waiting for a flight at Reagan National with my husband in 2007, I watched a woman run into the arms of an arriving pilot, and a novel idea was born

I’m blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who are incredibly supportive of my writing career. Thank you to my husband, Dan, a retired Navy chief petty officer, who filled in some of the pieces of Cole’s Naval career. My fabulous children, Emily and Jake, just seem to “get it,” and that means the world to me. My dad, the retired aviation mechanic, answered numerous questions and ran the scenarios with me. Thanks, Dad!

To my pilot friend and former Naval aviator, Mike Deganutti, thank you for helping with Cole’s military career. To my “baby” cousin Jennifer Barrera: Olivia’s cousin Jenny is you, of course. Our 10 p.m. phone calls were a highlight of the baby years, and I never would’ve survived motherhood without the laughter. To my old pal, Lisa “Cat” Thatcher, thank you for helping me navigate the American University campus.

To the rest of the 2009 team: Julie Cupp, thanks for the help with the Alexandria details, for allowing me to use Cupp Condo as Olivia’s place, and for once again chairing the character-naming committee. Proofreaders Christina Camara, Lisa Ridder, and Paula DelBonis-Platt help to keep it clean (well, the grammar anyway). To my most faithful readers: Arlene, Mary, Jeannie, Martine, and Lorraine, you ladies are the best. My mom had awesome taste in friends.

For the updated version, thank you to Julie Cupp, who is now my chief operating officer, as well as Lisa Cafferty, CPA, Holly Sullivan and Isabel Sullivan, for all you do! A big thanks also go to editor Linda Ingmanson, proofreader Joyce Lamb and beta readers Anne Woodall and Kara Conrad.

And to the readers who write to tell me they enjoy my books: you’ll never know what your words mean to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You all are the very best part of being an author.

xoxo

Marie

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