Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy, #3)(95)

Thamuz (Thā-muz), Murder: taking the life of another person: Andre and Ramón Shax, Theft: stealing: Marek


Belial (Beh-leel), Substance Abuse: physical addictions; primarily drugs and alcohol: Anna Sonellion, Hatred: promotes prejudices; ill will toward others; hostility: Zania





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS



I can’t believe it’s over.

I first want to thank my readers, my “sweeties,” who push me daily to do my best—whether you Sigh for Kai, Hope for Kope, or Ache for Blake—I thank you for the constant stream of encouraging messages. I read every single one and soak in the love, though I cannot always respond. Your enthusiasm is much needed and appreciated. I heart you something fierce.

Thank you to my loving and supportive family, near and far, for sharing me with the Nephilim world these past four years, and being interested in every detail of my journey. I could not have done it without you. I mean that. My husband, Nathan. Our kids, Autumn and Cayden. Our parents, Nancy and Dave Parry, Jim and Ilka Hornback, and Bill and Jane Higgins. Our siblings, Frank Hornback, Dan Parry, Jeff Parry, Lucy Hornback, Bryan Higgins, Andrew Higgins, and all of their wonderful spouses.

Thank you to Manassas Baptist Church and Preschool for allowing me to use their facilities to write while the little guy was in class.

A huge cup of overflowing gratitude to my hardworking agent, Jill Corcoran.

Thank you so much to my team at Harper! I must say, I am in serious awe of my editors. A huge thanks to my lovely editor, Alyson Day, and those amazing behind-the-scenes copy editors who polish the story into something so much worthier. Lastly, a big hug to Alana Whitman for always going above and beyond to make me smile.

To the cover-design team—thank you Tom Forget, Howard Huang, the gorgeous model Alexa Benk, and everyone who had a hand in the three Sweet covers. Such fun! (PS, if you know who the mystery male model is, I’d love to know, too, ha-ha.) It’s not Wade Poezyn, but I do want to thank him for being a great sport about all this book stuff. :)

A world of gratitude goes out to my friends (many of whom are early readers whose feedback rocked my writing world): Kelley Vitollo (aka Nyrae Dawn), Jolene Perry, Evie J, Carrie McRae, Jen Armentrout, Chanelle Gray, Courtney Fetchko, Jill Chamberlin Powell, Brooke Leicht, Carol Marcum, Jill Wilson, Hilary Mahalchick, Holly Andrzejewski, Christine Jones, Danielle Daniels, Valerie Friend, Meghan Lublin, Ann Kulakowski, Joanne Hazlett, Janelle Harris (and Jimmy, for more drummer jokes), Daniela Meilinger, and Carolee Noury.

And back to where it all began, thank you, Google, and thank you, God.

It’s been a wild ride. Thanks for swooning, laughing, and crying with me. I’m not sure what’s next, but I’m sure looking forward to finding out.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR




Melissa Harris Photography WENDY HIGGINS is the author of Sweet Evil and Sweet Peril, the first two books in the trilogy, as well as Flirting with Maybe. She was born an Army brat and spent her childhood moving across the United States, finally settling in the Washington, DC, area. She attended George Mason University for her undergraduate degree in creative writing and Radford University for a Masters in curriculum and instruction. Wendy taught high school English before achieving her dream of becoming a full-time author. She now lives in northern Virginia with her husband, daughter, and son. You can visit her online at www.wendyhigginswrites.com or follow her on Twitter @Wendy_Higgins.