My Soul to Take (54 page)

Many thanks to the busy writers and readers who provided valuable feedback during the writing of this novel: Steven Barnes, Darryl Miller, Terence Taylor, Ernessa T. Carter, Anika Noni Rose, Ivan Roman, Nnedi Okorafor, Monica A. Coleman, Steve Perry, Dawit Worku, and Dr. Lee Pachter. I wasn’t always able to use your advice, but thank you so much for your time, comments, and care.

Many thanks and best wishes to Mitchell Kaplan at Books & Books in Miami; Blanche Richardson at Marcus Books in Oakland; and James Fugate and Tom Hamilton of EsoWon Books in Los Angeles. Your stores always feel like home.

Thanks to my oldest friends, who keep me sane and help me
remember: Andres Enriquez, Luchina Fisher, Olympia Duhart, Sharmila Roy, Craig Shemin, and Kathryn Larrabee.

And last, thanks to my family, my world: Mom, Dad, Johnita, Lydia, Muncko and Carol, Uncle Walter, Aunt Rita, and Aunt Priscilla. Special thanks to Muncko’s son Brian Tabada, killed in combat in Afghanistan on February 27, 2011, for his sacrifice and his seeking heart.

To my husband, Steven Barnes, whose voice is loudest of all in my head when I am writing, the true prince I was searching for. To my stepdaughter, Nicki Barnes, who has followed her acting dreams and made me more proud than I can say.

And to my son, Jason Due-Barnes, who makes me laugh, dances with me, and is already one of the world’s great young men.

Friend me on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/tananarivedue

Follow me on Twitter:
www.twitter.com/tananarivedue

Tananarive Due Writes (writing blog):
www.tananarivedue.wordpress.com

Tananarive Due’s Reading Circle (main blog):
www.tananarivedue.blogspot.com

Website:
www.tananarivedue.com