Transcendent (32 page)

Grateful.

I've always considered myself to be a grateful person, or at least I've tried to be (we all have our days!). I was aware of just how lucky I am to have my brilliant family and friends, my unfailing support system.

But writing books—first
Immaculate,
and now
Transcendent
—has made me realize just how ridiculously blessed I really am. The gratitude I know now blows me away. It humbles and inspires me daily. Every single one of you who sent me a kind note, came to a reading, posted about these books online or shared them with a friend: thank you. You are amazing, and I appreciate your effort more than I could ever put into words. You are the reason I write.

Jill Grinberg, thank you for your endless wisdom, your uncannily keen, razor-sharp insight that still leaves me in awe after more than six years of sharing an office together. Your unfailingly tough but always excellent, always necessary questions made this story infinitely better. Thank you for all that you do, and for teaching me new things—every day.

And to the entire JGLM team—I feel so beyond lucky that I get to spend forty plus hours a week in the presence of such greatness. Cheryl Pientka, your passion for books radiates, and I am so very glad to have a reader like you—a fierce warrior who spreads her love all across the globe. And Denise St. Pierre, you are truly a wonder woman, and while I wish that I could retroactively add you to the
Immaculate
acknowledgements, I'll have to just thank you doubly now. (Thank you. And really, again, thank you.)

Leila Sales, I can't even comprehend what this book would be without you. (I mean, c'mon, Iris not a musician? What?! Not possible.) You took the bare bones and blew in heart and depth and meaning. You saw the story I wanted and needed this to be before I could see any of it for myself. Thank you for believing in this book from day one, when it was just a terribly vague one-page synopsis. Your faith—it brought
Transcendent
to life.

Thank you to the entire Viking team—I appreciate all you do, always. My book would be nowhere, nothing without your support and dedication.

Pastor Kork Moyer, thank you for reading and sharing with me your vast wisdom and experience—for ensuring that this story stayed true and respectful to those who mattered most. I am in awe of the work you do, and honored to have passed the test.

To everyone in the Upper Perkiomen Valley community who has come out to readings, who has supported me in my writing, I am so appreciative, and so proud. I may live in Brooklyn these days, but my heart will always be in our lovely Valley.

And to my dear, dear friends, the loves of my life, thank you for cheering every step of the way, the good days and the less than good days. Thank you for reading early drafts, for brainstorming plot solutions and titles and covers, for letting me vent and for excusing me when I flake on plans so I can hit the next deadline. To every last one of you—thank you, always, for being there, for being you, for keeping me sane.

To my family—my wonderful extended family, old and new—thank you for the nonstop barrage of love and encouragement. Peter, you're a fabulous brother and an equally fabulous website designer; and Lauren, I will never (ever) forget our marathon phone call discussing what in the world Iris could possibly do to help the Disney kids in some way.

Danny, I remember finishing the very first draft of this a week or so after our first date. You were supportive even then, barely knowing me, texting and rallying me on to the finish line. And in the two years and three days since (happy belated anniversary!), you have continued to
inspire me every single day. You make me want to write, think, be bigger and better. Always.

And lastly, Mom and Dad, thank you. Thank you for letting me grumble through my writing retreat weekends in Hoppenville, for reading every draft, for telling everyone you meet (and I do mean everyone) about my books, for loving me so unconditionally with every breath you take. I believe in myself because you believe in me. Thank you—today, always,
forever.

Looking for more?
Visit Penguin.com for more about this author and a complete list of their books.
Discover your next great read!