The Sibylline Oracle (28 page)
Although I have been writing for almost all of my life, this is the first thing I’ve allowed anyone to read…and it took a tremendous amount of encouragement to do that! The love, support, and enthusiasm of my extraordinary support team have made all of the difference for me. Thank you!
I am ever so grateful to my beautiful husband, Randy Colvin, for his love, friendship, and absolute faith in my writing ability and this story. And most importantly, for always keeping my coffee cup full! Randy’s love served as a template for Alex’s absolute devotion to Valeria. I also want to thank him for his
extraordinary
marketing efforts!
While nine months pregnant, Jen began reading my story…then demanding more. Jen’s efforts in editing, along with her creative additions to the story, have been
so appreciated.
She also spread the word about my novel, created my website, and helped with the covers and surveys. Thank you!
Joyce Wallace—I am so grateful for your love, support, and patience!
In any endeavor you are only as good as the people that surround you. In that I have been fortunate to have stumbled upon these seasoned professionals. I am extremely grateful to my fantastic editor, Colleen Albert. As an editor as well as talented author and blogger, Colleen dramatically improved the quality of this work, as well as keeping me in stitches with her humorous comments. Thank you! I’m also very grateful for your encouragement and enthusiasm over the series! Natasha Brown took my vision for the covers and created something that I love. And the amazing Melissa Foster—bestselling and award-winning
author, queen of pay-it-forward and friend to authors around the world! I owe so very much to you for your wisdom, your never-ending generosity of spirit, and your down-to-earth and up-to-date understanding of the publishing world.
The wonderful people who volunteered their time and opinion on the cover: Jackie Blockus, Carol “CJ” Carter, Nicole Daniels, Leanna Davis, Mindy Detloff, Carrie Gardiner, Heidi Gilia, Kimberly Krum, Vee Lopez, Jessica Lowe, Katie Ludwig, Jennifer Mansfield, Angelina O'Connor, Kim Perry, Hugh Ramsey, Sandy Rudiger, Marisa St. Louis, Jennifer Slabik, Jackie Sulton, Diana Tahamata, Teri Van Dusen, Krissy Wright, Valli Youngs, and Jessica Zumwalde. Thank you for your time, guidance, and enthusiasm. You are all awesome!
The enthusiasm of a few early readers was vital! Thanks to the sister of my heart, Dr. Mary Jo Palmer, Dave
Khanoyan, Sandy Rudiger, Al Hatman and Marv Halbakken. Your friendship and enthusiasm helped to carry me through the early terror that accompanied its release. I’m also grateful to Carrie Gardiner, thanks for weathering the early draft!
A special thanks to my friends and family who have made the journey more fun and always encouraged me!
Weege Anderson—
thank you for allowing me to borrow your wonderfully unique name for one of my favorite characters who bears little resemblance
to your exemplary character! Matt Townsend, Richard Reeves, Hans Hillestad, Camille Baker—for the inspiration for the character. My parents, Jerry & Doris DesJarlais, who made childhood a joy. Don & Christina Alexander, Ed Barlow, Fran Bartlett, Bob Bermudez, Lisa Chinn, Tom & Liz Clapp, Jordan Colvin, Travis Colvin, Leah DeVeau, Rosanne Agoado Eskenazi, Jay & Timmy Evans, Dottie & Dick Fazio, Paula Fellers, Gail Galbraith, Lindsey Gildersleeve, Sherri & Jack Hayden, Steve Hillier, Sam & Rosie Holland, Kamron & Danielle Jones, , Ali, Zohreh & Ava Khosravian, Dr. Manuel Moraes (the inspiration for Mani), Brian Morriss, Dr. Timothy Mountcastle (I wouldn’t be here if not for your intervention!), Nancee Niemec, Earle Noel, Curtis Norman, Mark & Michelle Oglesby, Carol & Lloyd Ostrander, Angela Poe, Mandy & Will Rohde, Monique Roop, Justin & Samantha Saroyan, Kirby & Linda Schwenk, Laura & Roger Sitcler, Betty Sorenson, Steve Spafford, Dennis & Linda Sperry, Dennis & Diane Stephan, John & Barb Warner, James (JJ) & Rose Upton, Adolfo Valero, Venkat & Lynda Varada, Laura Young, Dan Youngs (son-in-law extraordinaire), and Aubrey Youngs (for being so darned cute!).
Delia
Colvin has lived all over the country from Fairbanks, AK, to Huntington Beach, CA, to Knoxville, TN, but she considers Danville, CA home. She currently resides in Arizona with her husband, Randy, and their two Cavalier King Charles dogs.
She has worked as an entrepreneur, in sales and advertising, in Air Traffic Control, and as a Russian Interpreter.
For more information about Delia J. Colvin and her upcoming releases, visit:
www.DeliaColvin.com
or contact her at [email protected]