The Kiss Thief by L.J. Shen
They say it takes a village to raise a kid and write a book. In our fast-paced indie world, it sometimes feels like it takes a whole city. Maybe even country. Finding your tribe is essential, and makes taking this journey more pleasant and less…well, frightening.
I would like to begin by thanking Becca Hensley Mysoor and Ava Harrison for the daily phone calls—I talked your ears off. Thanks for listening and making Wolfe and Francesca everything I needed them to be. And to my beta readers, Tijuana Turner (x2,000,000 times), Sarah Grim Sentz, Lana Kart, Amy Halter and Melissa Panio-Petersen. You ladies always leave a piece of your soul with my manuscripts.
At this point of the acknowledgements, I have yet to send it to my besties, Helena Hunting and Charleigh Rose, but chances are, by the time this is out, they’ve read it a thousand times over and listened to my freak-outs for hours on end. Thank you (and sorry).
To Elaine York and Jenny Sims for the fabulous editing: You guys are the real MVPs. Thank you for always being there when I need you. And to my fabulous, glorious, GODDESS (yes, all caps) designer, Letitia Hasser at RBA Designs. I wanted something unique and pretty and eye-catching. You delivered. In spades.
To my formatter, Stacey Blake at Champagne Formatting, who has the ability to make everything SO pretty. Also, huge thanks to my agent, Kimberly Brower at Brower Literary.
Finally, I would like to thank my husband and son and parents and brother (and my soon-to-be sister-in-law!) for loving me almost as much as I love them. And of course, to my street team, my second family (taking a deep breath to make sure I don’t leave anyone out): Lin Tahel Cohen, Avivit Egev, Galit Shmaryahoo, Vanessa Villegas, Nadine (Bookaddict), Sher Mason, Kristina Lindsey, Brittany Danielle Christina, Summer Connell, Nina Delfs, Betty Lankovits, Vanessa Serrano, Yamina Kirky, Ratula Roy, Tricia Daniels, Jacquie Czech Martin, Lisa Morgan, Sophie Broughton, Leeann Van Roseburg, Luciana Grisolia, Chele Walker, Ariadna Basulto, Tanaka Kangara, Vickie Leaf, Hayfaah Sumtally, Samantha Blundell, Aurora Hale, Erica Budd Panfile, Sheena Taylor, Keri Roth, Amanda Söderlund, and I’m pretty sure I left a few people out because I always do (but never on purpose).
Oh, and to the Sassy Sparrows, my fierce reading group! How I love you, my quick-witted, supportive, good-hearted allies.
And to you, my readers, for taking a chance on my books. It would mean the world to me if you could take a few seconds of your time to leave an honest review and tell me what you thought about The Kiss Thief.
Love and kisses,
L.J. Shen
