The Final Storm (45 page)

To Dave and Heather Peters, Doug and Chris Smith, Todd Wahlne, Danny Sutton, Chris and Alaina Haerbig, Dan and Courtney Cwiek, Steve and Janet Berbes, Chris and Dawn Harvey, Don and Valerie Counts, Mat and Serrina Davis, and Warren Cramutola: Whether it be cruising the Caribbean, playing dozens of hands of 500, laughing and growing in the Community Group, or jamming in the basement, you have all brought adventure into my life.

To the brilliant students of Folly Quarter Middle School: Thank you for never failing to inspire me! Your creativity and curiosity are powerful forces. I am privileged to be in the classroom with you. Pip Pip Cheerio! To the administration, faculty, and support staff at FQMS: Thank you for all the encouragement. Balancing two careers hasn’t been easy. Your talent, flexibility, and understanding have really helped. To the Sixth Grade Teaching Team. It’s a blessing to work among friends. {Deer!}

Special thanks to the managers and staff at my local bookstores: His Way Christian Books, Little Professor Bookstore, Barnes & Nobles, and Greetings & Readings . . . thanks for welcoming a new author.

To Michelle Black: Thank you for showing up at all the signings, helping set up and break down, making homemade scrolls and props, and letting me borrow your righteous battle gear! P.S. I hope to see a novel from you on the shelves one day soon. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge . . . say no more!

To the staff of Eldersburg Public Library: Thank you for letting me “live” in your little private study room. About a third of The Final Storm was penned there! P.S. I’ll be back when the next story arrives in my head!

Special thanks to Gregg Wooding, my agent and friend, for stepping with me into uncharted territories! Who knows where this path will lead us?

To Dee Ann Grand, Beverly Phillips, June Ford, Patti Evans, Katie Broaddus, Michelle Saunders, Brian Mitchell, and everyone at Tommy Nelson: Thank you for letting me be a part of this mission. I am still in awe when I consider how so many have poured their lives into The Door Within Trilogy!

To Brian, Jeff, Leslie, and Mom & Dad: For many memories such as Cross Country in a little white car, Fireworks in Atlanta, Dallas Dates, and frequent visits to Waffle Houses and Dairy Queens—thank you for this adventure of life we’ve been on together.

Thanks to Bookcrossers in the States and Elsewhere: Qantaqa (Germany), akg (UK)Cyzaki, (UK)tehuti (UK), Shelbycat (UK), Tiggsybabes (UK), Elina (Germany or Finland), Morgaine77 (Switzerland), raeliz64 (UK), Carlissa-Florida, Wistroll-Wisconsin, moraelyn-California, wolfprincess-Ohio, pkboo-Florida, cheeseball-Florida!

Special thanks to people all over the world who are spreading the word about The Door Within Trilogy: Barb Radmore, Travis Seiter, Cathy and Michelle Burkhard, Allen Shortt, Catriona Moore, Sue Dowling, Vicki Crawford, and so many who have done so without telling me!

SFFworld.com: Rob Hedford, Garry Wassman, Tempo, KatG, and others! Authors who have given sage advice . . . and empathy: JA Konrath, Alison Croggins, Leathel Grody, Gary Wassman.