Lucky(70)

And to Sophie Chouinard, Sherri Vanderveen, Alison Gadsby, Kate Henderson, Nance Williams, and my many other dear friends (lucky me) who have offered support and love this year, and beyond.

Without Rich Caplan’s help, I would never have been able to write a convincing poker scene. (Without Ruth Marshall, I would likely not smile as often as I do.)

Without my readers, I would have very little reason to do what I do. Thank you also to the bookstagrammers and book bloggers who help get the word out and warm my heart with their bookish enthusiasm. And to booksellers far and wide: you are the very best kind of people.

Without my family, I would be lost. Thanks to my dear old dad, Bruce Stapley, for really loving Lucky (but refusing to choose a favorite book); my stepdad, Jim Clubine, for believing in me just as much as my mom did; the Ponikowski family; and my brothers (in order of favourites; just kidding, it’s age), Shane, Drew, and Griffin Stapley.

Finally, thank you to my beautiful children, Joseph and Maia, the best characters in my life, the luckiest stars in my sky. And to Joe, for being the cheese-stuffed meatball in the spaghetti of my life. I write for many reasons—but one of them is because you make it possible with your love, support, faith, and willingness to dream with me.