Baby Doll(86)
To my fantastic editors: Devi Pillai of Redhook and Selina Walker of Penguin Random House, thank you for bringing Baby Doll to life. I knew I was in great hands when your editorial notes were “give us more.”
Thank you to SSA Shanna G. Daniels of the FBI’s Investigative Publicity and Public Affairs Unit for providing me with your expertise so I could properly depict the work you and your colleagues do in your quest for justice.
To Eduardo Santiago, my writing guru; of all the classes in all the world, I’m so glad I walked into yours. Thank you for believing in this book and for always saying “you can do better.”
My Hallmark ladies and early readers; Angie Polk, Jennifer Kramer, Lynnsey Marques, Alex Smith, and Laura Mitten, your killer notes and enthusiastic response gave me the encouragement to keep going.
Big thanks to my Texas crew; Katie Sechrist for your spot-on notes, Nick Chapa, my creative sounding board and tech support (check’s in the mail, I swear). Liza “Lizard” Sandoval, no matter where life takes us, your courage and amazing sense of humor keeps me going. Endless gratitude also goes to Matt McArthur, for your friendship and for sharing your criminal justice expertise with me. And of course thanks to Lee Ann Barnhardt, who despite leaving the classroom, never stopped being my teacher.
Sarah Haught, your genius attention to detail and ability to make sense of my time line made me love/hate you (but mostly love you). Ian Michael Kinzle, your in-depth analysis was spot-on and beyond appreciated. Bisanne Masoud, your creative suggestions and proofreading prowess took my first draft to a whole new level.
To my LA hive mind, April Garton, Elena Zaretsky, Shaina Fewell, Jon Levenson, Rochelle Zimmerman, Mem Kennedy, Lindsay Halladay, and Allison Rymer, thanks for knowing when I needed an encouraging e-mail, hike, or a glass of wine and for inspiring me with your own incredible talents.
To my “BB” Shahana Lashlee, you have proven there is nothing you won’t do for me. Nothing! Your creativity and quick wit has seen me through my best and worst writing days. Here’s to a lifetime of “smidges,” together.
Giselle “Chicken” Jones, my beautiful muse and life champion, there is no Dr. Amari without you. You helped craft an honest and poignant look at the patient/therapist relationship. Hope you get to bring her to life!
To Betty Overton, there is no question that I won the Mom lottery. Thanks for choosing us! I will never forget the sacrifices you’ve made. Even after I destroyed that first novel, even when I denied my destiny, you knew it all along. You were right. I am a writer.
To my UK family, my mother-in-law Linda Boyd and my sister-in-law Rachael Hogg, thank you for your constant encouragement and for raising a man so patient he’s able to put up with me… and my twin.
To my husband David Boyd, thank you for enduring my endlessly late nights, for walking Stevie, keeping my chais coming and proving that there are truly good men in this world. Living with a writer requires patience, humor, and a touch of insanity. Thankfully you possess all three (not to mention a great lid!). To quote my favorite Geordie, “You’re it for me, kid.”
And finally, Heather Overton, my twin sister, my best friend, the Abby to my Lily, not only did you rescue Baby Doll from the figurative trash heap but you’ve rescued me again and again. From paying contest fees when I was flat broke, to giving brutally honest and incredibly smart notes on this book and every script that came before it, you’ve more than made up for losing that sweater. Through all the struggles, even in my darkest times, you always believed that I had something worth saying. Never ever forget that you do too.