Dauntless Path

Chapter 2

This book nearly wiped me out a few times. I am thus deeply indebted to my legion of beta readers, who kept picking me up off the floor, gently brushing me off, handing me a bazillion suggested edits, and telling me how much they loved the story despite the various disasters unfolding on the page. You are all amazing, and I’m so grateful to you for sticking with me and this story.

In order of reading, thanks to: Charlotte Michel, Anne Hillman (twice!), Ashley Lambert, Shy Eager, Suzannah Rowntree, Anela Deen, A.C. Spahn (twice! On deadline!), Tracy Banghart, Elizabeth Kelly, Basma (@bookishbasma), Alura Fogger, Virginia McClain, and sensitivity readers Cara Liebowitz and Lucy-May Galbraith. Thanks to Diana Cox for her proofreading prowess, and an extra shout out to Suzannah and Anela who helped me get a handle on the romance line (as I repeatedly fumbled that), as well as to Alura for the idea of giving a nod to the Pied Piper of Hamelin – that was just the suggestion I needed to come up with the perfect fate for Garrin! Deep gratitude to Batool AlKhawaja, Madolyn Rogers, and Virginia McClain for a final look through after file conversations created unmitigated chaos—your kindness and eagle-eyes made all the difference.

I am equally grateful to all the wonderful people at Hot Key Books in the UK, not the least for stepping up to offer editing when my US deal fell through, and supporting me as I moved forward with Snowy Wings Publishing here in the US. To Maurice Lyon for initial edits on Darkness, thank you for your kindness and incredible support. To Ruth Bennett, who came on board halfway through and yet put your all into this book, I cannot thank you enough! To Dominica Clements for all the behind-the-scenes design work, Melissa Hyder for exceptional copyediting, Talya Baker for all your support, Eleanor Rose for your work in marketing, and Kate Griffiths for helping to make those gorgeous FairyLoot editions a reality, and to the rest of the Hot Key team, many of whom I’ve never met but have still done so much for this story – thank you.

On the US side, I am so grateful to my agent, Emmanuelle Morgen, for continuing to be my champion and a steady support through multiple pandemic releases. I’m so thankful to be on this journey with you! Thanks to Whitney Lee for working on foreign rights, and finding me a home with Hot Key. Thanks to Lyssa Chiavari for inviting me to join Snowy Wings Publishing as an indie author and walking me through my first publication there— you’re amazing, as is the work you do. And to Jenny Zemanek, for another stunning cover—these books would not be the same without you.

A huge shoutout to all my amazing backers on Kickstarter! Thanks to your support, we have an audiobook for Darkness (narrated by the talented Shiromi Arserio), as well as the backing to make this book as beautiful as it is, from the gorgeous hand-lettered title, to the art of Rae and Bren on the hardcover by Avendell, to having a special edition complete with gilt foil designs by Kerstin Espinosa Rosero. Thank you!

DarknessMy family, as always, has continued to be a vital support crew. Thanks to my two young daughters for all the laughs and brainstorming through this book (I promise you can read it when you’re older!). And you’re right, “Br-Red Hawk” / “Bread Hawk” was a terrible missed opportunity. Gratitude also to my husband, my parents, and my brother and his beautiful family. I’m so thankful to share this life with you.

As always, I am grateful to the wonderful readers and reviewers who have found something to love in my stories and shared them with others. A story is nothing without a reader to give it a home in their heart. Thank you.

Finally, I am grateful to God for all that He has given me, in my writing and in my life.