From Cape Town with Love (51 page)

To Diane DaCosta, because of your example of leadership in this literary arena, I felt emboldened enough to try my hand as well. You are truly courageous and I am honored to call you friend and family.

To the readers and enthusiasts of our series, because of your continued patronage we are humbled by yet another opportunity to present the next chapter in the life of these characters that we have all come to know and love.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Ideas must work through the brains and the arms of good and brave men, or they are no better than dreams.”

Because of the bold and innovative brains and arms of our publisher, Judith Curr, and her exceptional colleagues at Atria Books, including Christine Saunders and Todd Hunter, this series has transcended dream-state and has become reality. Judith, for your quiet strength of leadership, undying support, and discerning grace, I am eternally grateful.

Malaika Adero, this is now our fourth book together, and you continue to be an exemplary editor, as well as one who possesses an extraordinary spirit of warmth and kindness, not to mention great hair. I thank you.

Lydia Wills, you remain an inspiration and the keeper of “coolness.”

To all the cohorts at the Paradigm Talent Agency, as well as Patti Felker, Eric Suddleson, and Bruce Gellman at Felker, Toczek, Gellman and Suddleson, many thanks for your constant guidance, motivation, and support.

If “tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today” and “the past ain't nothin' but ‘prologue,'” then because of all of you, the future of Tennyson is so bright, you might wanna whip out those sunglasses!