Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove, #1)(132)
“What makes you think you’ll be able to persuade him to do anything?”
“He loved me once.”
“Yes. I’m sure my mother will be thrilled to hear all about it.”
“I’m sorry, but I still don’t understand.” Ansel shook his head in bewilderment and looked to Coco. “Why do you think we’ll be safe with your coven? If Morgane is as dangerous as everyone says . . . will they really be able to protect us?”
Coco barked a short laugh. “You don’t know who my aunt is, do you?”
Ansel’s brows furrowed. “No.”
“Then allow me to enlighten you.” Her grin stretched wide, and in the dying sunlight, her eyes seemed to glow brilliant crimson. “My aunt is the witch La Voisin.”
Reid groaned audibly. “Shit.”
Acknowledgments
This story passed through many hands before publication, which means I have many people to thank for helping me shape it into something special.
To my husband, RJ—I quite literally couldn’t have written Serpent & Dove without you. Thank you for your patience throughout this entire journey—for every night you brushed the boys’ teeth and tucked them into bed when I was writing, and for every weekend you retreated with them to the basement when I was banging my head against my laptop. For all the dishes and laundry you washed when I was revising, and for all the emergency grocery runs you made when I ran out of 5-Hour Energy. You’ll never know how much your support means to me. I love you. (P.S. You’re now holding my book in your hands, which means . . . IT’S OFFICIALLY TIME TO READ IT.)
To my children, Beau, James, and Rose—If I can do it, so can you. Follow your dreams.
To my parents, Zane and Kelly—You fostered my love of reading, and more important, you fostered my love of myself. Without your praise—and your total confidence in my abilities—I never would’ve mustered up the courage to pursue publication. I can’t thank you enough for your unconditional love and support.
To my siblings, Jacob, Justin, Brooke, Chelsy, and Lewie—It would’ve been hard to take an eight-year-old writing poetry about Peter Pan seriously, but you always did. You never laughed at my writing dreams. Your enthusiasm means everything to me.
To my parents-in-law, Dave and Pattie: Thank you for all those days you volunteered to watch the boys. We love you.
To my forever friends Jordan, Spencer, Meghan, Aaron, Adrianne, Chelsea, Riley, Courtney, Austin, and Jon—Thank you for celebrating my weirdness and sticking around despite it. Life is hard—and publishing is harder—but I know you’ll always have my back. See you at the party barn!
To my first critique partners, Katie and Carolyn—As the very first people to believe in my story, you two will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for your encouragement and critique—as well as talking me through my writer’s block, helping me untangle complicated subplots, and reminding me these characters are special. Because of you, I finished my first draft; Serpent & Dove wouldn’t be here today without you.
To my first beta readers, Mystique_ballerina, Somethings-Here, fashionablady, BadlandsQueenHalsey, drowsypug, Djwestwood, Arzoelyn, Mishi_And_Books, reaweiger, lcholland-82700, laia233, saturday—, JuliaBattles, and BluBByGrl—Thank you for all your views, comments, and messages. I appreciated every single one.
To Brenda Drake, Heather Cashman, and the entire Pitch Wars team—Your incredible mentorship program ignited my writing career. Thank you.
To my Pitch Wars mentor, Jamie Howard—Without your vision, Serpent & Dove would be a much different story—and not in a good way. Thank you for believing in me and my story, and thank you for all the time and energy you devoted to us.
To my critique partners and sisters, Abby and Jordan—I adore you both. You came into my life at a critical juncture, and though we started as critique partners, we’re so much more now. I consider you both sisters. Thank you for walking beside me on this crazy journey, holding my hand when I was unsure, and encouraging me to continue when it would’ve been easier to turn back. Writing can be an incredibly isolating career, but you make me feel less alone.
To my writing friends Lindsay Bilgram, Madeline Johnston, Destiny Murtaugh, Abigail Carson, Kate Weiler, Jessica Bibi Cooper, Hannah Whitten, Layne Fargo, Allison L. Bitz, Laura Taylor Namey, Monica Borg, E.K. Thiede, Kimberly Vale, Elora Cook, Christina Wise, Isabel Ca?as, Kylie Schachte, Luke Hupton, Rachel Simon, and Lily Grant—Thank you for being such a supportive online community. You’re all wonderful, and I’m so grateful I stumbled upon each of you when I did.
To my Francophile, Catherine Bakewell—Your knowledge of the French language and culture enriched this story—especially those curse words! Lou and I are forever indebted to your foul mouth.
To my wonderful agent, Sarah Landis—I knew about three seconds into our first phone call that you were the agent for me. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and more important, you have this knack for putting me at ease—a difficult feat for a worrier like me! Your transparency and general warmth have been invaluable as I navigate the publishing industry. Thank you for always being in my corner.
To my agent siblings, Erin A. Craig, Jessica Rubinkowski, Meredith Tate, Julie Abe, Jennie K. Brown, Ron Walters, Elisabeth Funk—Your publishing knowledge and experiences have been such an important resource for me. Thank you for sharing your insight and encouragement!