Keeping Secrets in Seattle (24 page)

Acknowledgments

Violet’s and Gabe’s story began when one of my girlfriends asked me to make up a story about friends who feel something beyond friendship for each other. Once I put a pen to paper—and yes, I wrote it in a steno notebook first—the characters took over. I had no idea the phenomenon their story would become amongst my circle of friends and beta readers. And, truth be told, I’ve never been quite as attached to a hero and heroine as I am to Gabe and Violet (Dillon, Adie, etc.). I’m thrilled to be sharing their story with the world.

I owe Tracy March a debt of gratitude for seeing an amazing core story amongst a jumble of words in a document that I’d long since given up on. The same goes for Liz Pelletier, Heather Howland, and Morgan Maulden, whose belief in me still astounds me. These women have confidence in me, even when I don’t have any in myself. For that I owe them a big, fat muchas gracias.

Libby Murphy, you are an editor extraordinaire. You work like a dog, never lose your cool, answer all of my incessant questions, and laugh at all of my jokes. You took a book that was a clusterf… of different P.O.V.’s, flashbacks, dream sequences, and subplots to the tenth degree…and you turned it all into a book that I can be proud of. Thank you for not becoming codependent in my “pretty” addiction. You, my friend, deserve a vacation.

A special thanks goes out to my parents and brothers, who—like always—support me like no one else can. What kind of woman would I be without that crazy pack of loons? We’re way more interesting than your average family, that’s for sure.

To Dylan, Mairi, Evan, Anne, and Jim. Your home across the street was solace when my own home was too tumultuous for me. I still think about you when I see a tree house or an abandoned bike by a front porch. Thank you for being my surrogate family.

A big fat shout out goes to the early Violet (Dillon) and Gabe fans: Rachael, Adie, Zina, Misti, Katie, Melanie, Danielle, Bekki, Nickie, Liz, Sam, Michele, Amelia, Kaley, Cami, Amber, and KK…you all rock. You all rule my existence. You all make my toes curl and my heart squeeze every time you tell me how very much you adore this story. I’m the luckiest writer in history, and it’s because I have readers like each of you. Just remember:
Gabe Parker only goes to bed for one reason.

To Ryann and Robbie, as twisted as it is, each of you inspired Gabe’s and Violet’s looks and personalities. Thanks for being a couple of kids I can draw such inspiration from, and for being the kind of kids an aunt can be proud of.

To my readers: There is literally no one else on earth who can make me smile the way you can. Nothing beats opening my e-mail inbox
to find a love letter from a satisfied reader. Utter bliss!

Lest I forget my adorable nerd and our five holy terrors: there is nothing better in the world than kissing my children’s sweaty foreheads as they snore in their beds at night, then curling up next to my darling husband while he snores. No romance novel can compare to my lovely life in our tiny house in the ’burbs. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.

This story is so close to my heart, it makes my eyes fill just thinking about it. An alarming amount of sexual assaults go unreported, and many victims are left feeling responsible for the horrific acts against them. If you, or someone you know, is a victim of sexual assault, please reach out to someone—anyone—today. A parent, a friend, a teacher, a pastor. Break the silence, and don’t let a rapist go free. Visit
www.rainn.org
for more information.

About the Author

Brooke Moss lives in beautiful eastern Washington with her handsome nerd and five darling, wicked children. When she isn’t spinning tales, she spends her time collecting tacky owl décor, changing the color of her hair, and watching too much reality television.

Find Brooke elsewhere on the Web at
www.brookemoss.com
.

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