Echoes in Stone (41 page)

Acknowledgements

EVERY GOOD STORY begins with a cast of intriguing characters, each shouting or whispering, cajoling the writer along until the tale is told. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my real-life cast of “characters,” who never relented until this somewhat awestruck fan who was “just a reader” joined their ranks as a writer. They supported me, encouraged me, occasionally bullied me (but only in the nicest way!), and—no matter how exasperating I was—never gave up on me. They are my teachers, my mentors, and to my everlasting fortune, my friends. My gratitude to them is boundless.

My deepest thanks go to the amazing, inspiring Writin’ Wombats (who have nothing to do with Australia, but much to do with what happens during the “silly hour” that ensues after a long, exhausting slog.) All of them dragged me kicking and screaming into writing, but a few are worthy of special note. The irascible Ken Coffman “cajoled” me into writing my first one hundred words, the opening paragraph of a novel I had never considered writing. Those one hundred words became this book. It no longer opens with those words, but you will find a close facsimile of them buried deep in here. Judi Fennell quickly took me under her wing, taught me how to write a “sensitive scene” and bloodied up everything I wrote, to my benefit. She also brought this book to life with her fabulous formatting skills via Formatting4U.com. Editor extraordinaire Beth Hill of ANovelEdit.com offered me not only lessons on comma usage and picky grammar details, but brought her considerable talents to bear on plot, characterizations, and everything else. If there are dangling participles, unwoven plot threads, or misplaced punctuation, the fault is entirely due to my own stubbornness and not from her lack of trying to teach me otherwise. Her kindness, gentle guidance, and generosity of spirit influence not only my writing, but my life. Dale Cozort has been there with me from the very first, a serendipitous acquaintance formed in a crucible, which turned into a lasting friendship. Thank you also to Olivia Cunning for her boundless energy, enthusiasm, and humor. She’s living proof that dreams can come true. My deepest gratitude also goes to Lisa Brackmann, one of the most thoughtful, powerful writers I know. Lisa taught me about the
War of Art
, and to be fearless about digging into our darkest places, because that is where our true story resides. Thank you to all the Wombats, for your friendship and laughter. You are all my godparents, and all have had a hand in creating this novel. Get your cameras ready to record your “baby” taking her first steps into the world of “published author!”

Thank you also to the Debutantes, that merry, madcap band of “lady writers”, women who came together in their love of historical romance and have taught me to be a writer just like they are. My particular thanks go to Donna MacMeans, who first invited me to join the group and is a constant inspiration. And to Nancy Herriman, who finally gave me a hard shove between the shoulders and forced me off the cliff, to discover that this novel really does have wings and is ready to fly on its own. Thanks also to Jane Connor for being such a good sounding board and friend, for the gift of laughter when I needed it most.

This book would not exist at all if not for Judith Lutz, who taught me to spell my first word (it was “arithmetic”; I’ve always loved big words!). Judie instilled in me a lifelong love of reading, and fed the voracious, gaping maw within me that only words and more words could satisfy, with boxes of books, and lists to take to the library for more books. No writer can write, who does not also read. Thank you also to Mary Needles, for her love of history. And to Pamela, who first suggested I might be “worthy of the wood,” and pointed me to that moment that changed my life. My thanks also go to Jan-Alan Nale, who shares my love of books and who has always encouraged me. In spite of the gray hairs and sleepless nights, the scar was worth it.

My fond appreciation also goes to the late, great Barbara Mertz/Peters/Michaels for “The Master of Blacktower,” the book that set me on the path to a lifelong love affair with old school gothic romances. She is my inspiration and aspiration.

I should also like to thank The Office of Light and Letters, sponsors of NaNoWriMo, that insanity-fueled month of literary abandon. It gave me the freedom to say “to the devil with it all” (but, actually, you know, in stronger language than that) and just write. And to whoever you are who makes bourbon, dark rum, or coffee (brand doesn’t matter; I have appallingly cheap taste), many,
many
of the words in this novel exist because you do.

My thanks also go to you, my unknown, but much appreciated reader. It is very strange, as I sit here at my kitchen table writing these words, to think of you, somewhere in some distant place and time, reading them. I hope you enjoyed reading about Dash and Jessa as much I enjoyed writing about them. If you are so inclined to drop a few lines about your experience on your favorite review site, you have my gratitude.

Being exceedingly fond of frosting, I will generally eat the cake first, and save the icing to savor last. The icing on this thank-you-cake is Edward, and not just because he is my constant support, my chief cheerleader, gives me tiaras and other shiny things, is the hero of my real life, that a part of him is in every hero I will ever write, and that his love lifts me up every day. It is also because he eats the cake and saves the frosting for me. Love you.

Biography

KAT SHERIDAN is a former project manager and business analyst whose very serious exterior hides a secret romantic. She is fond of books, bourbon, big words, coffee, and shiny things. She is known to wear glitter-pink nail polish under her combat boots, when she bothers wearing shoes at all. To be honest, that isn’t very often.

Kat splits her time between the Midwest in the summer and the South in the winter, sharing her home with the love of her life and an exceedingly dignified Shih Tzu. No matter where her body is, though, Kat’s imagination can most often be found on some storm-wracked coast, plotting historical romances that include forbidding castles, menacing villains, and heartthrob heroes. She imagines a world where men are men, and spirited women can conquer even the toughest of them with a sultry glance, a passionate kiss, and a few well-chosen words. She loves to hear from readers, and can be contacted at
www.KatSheridan.com
.

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