Broken Not Shattered

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank Chris and everyone at Sapphire Books for giving me the chance to make my dream a reality. I will never forget the Sunday afternoon when you called to give me the news. I was so impressed that you spent over an hour answering all my questions, never making me feel as if you wanted me to shut up and get off the phone.

Thanks to my editor, Kaycee, who patiently dealt with this comma-challenged author. Not only did your recommendations make my writing better, you also saved the readers from having to read the word, “said”, 750 times more than was necessary. And thanks for the email exchanges that made me feel like a person, not just a job.

Thanks to my now retired high school English teachers. Mrs. Cleland, who may never know the impact she had on a teenager struggling with herself. And Mrs. Wright, who braved reading a lesbian romance, s*x scenes and all, in order to make this a better book.

Thanks to Kristy 2.0, who is traveling the writer’s journey with me. I look forward to the day I read my name in your acknowledgements.

Thanks to the team that has walked beside me for so many years in my “day job”: Gene, Laurie, Barb, and Alicia. We’ve been through everything together. I wouldn’t have the time or energy to write if it wasn’t for you guys. You’ve had my back, you’ve been my family, and most importantly, you’ve made me laugh, no matter what the situation.

Thanks to my family. To my mom, who instilled the love of reading and learning in me. To my brother, who taught me how to be competitive, since I kicked his butt in everything we ever played. To Mom and Dad Stetz, who has cheered me on and entrusted their daughter to me.

Thanks to Kourtney, for being my beta reader, marketing guru, ping pong buddy, book club participant, and best friend. Even though it hasn’t always been easy, it’s been worth it.

Thanks to Maxine, who is gone but not forgotten. You were the inspiration for this book, and my best friend, until the big C took you from us. But you left me with the most valuable gift anyone could give, when I inherited Kristy 1.0 and the best man I have ever known, her husband Mike.

Thanks to Chumley, the cat. I was afraid if I didn’t add him here, he wouldn’t let me use his pictures on my website or my social media posts anymore. If anything will make me go viral, I’m sure it will be him, not my writing.

Thanks to Terra, my wife, who makes everything in my life possible and better. People always say that relationships are hard, but being with you has always been easy. You’ve been my biggest supporter, while also being courageous enough to give me honest feedback in my life and my writing, which has made me a better person and author. For the past twenty years, you’ve let me shine and pursue all my crazy ideas, while you quietly bring the steadiness and stability I need. Now that we’ve been married for over six years, one day I might actually ask you to marry me.

And finally, I would like to thank the readers, who I hope will learn to love my characters like I do.