Captured Heart (32 page)

Acknowledgments

An immense thank you goes out to the members of Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. Virginia, Katharine, Deb, Claudia, Marcia, Sarra—thank you so much for your advice, support and friendship. You are giants among women (in a legendary way, not a size way)!

Thank you also to Kevan Lyon, Libby Murphy, and Liz Pelletier. Without your amazing talent and expertise, this Highland adventure would still be hiding on my computer.

Thank you, Mom, for drawing the herbs for Isabelle’s journal. You are the strongest, most talented woman I know. You will always be my real-life heroine.

Thank you to my Dragonfly-Sisters who remind me constantly that I can write. To my children who put up with my “Not now, I’m writing” and “Hush, I’m trying to finish this scene.” To Julie, my beautiful friend and beta-reader, who catches all my eye-color mistakes and gives gentle criticism. To all my chemo-buddies and friends, who tell everyone to read my books. Thank you for being my biggest fans : ) To Donna, Dr. Lee, and Jenny M for saving my life so I could write this wonderful book. And to my own hero, Braden. I loved you before, but after this year, I love you a thousand times more. Thank you too for posing for my cover : )

Since this page is about acknowledgments, I’d also like to call out a sneaky villain that stalks our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. Beware, Ovarian Cancer! I will not cower in the corner from you but will stare you down, laugh in your face, and arm women with the weapon of knowledge to use against you.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:

B
loating that is persistent

E
ating less and feeling fuller

A
bdominal pain

T
rouble with your bladder

Ovarian Cancer cannot be detected by a PAP Smear.
Additional symptoms may include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation, menstrual irregularities.

Together, we will “SHOUT against the Whisper” until every woman knows these symptoms.