A Lowcountry Bride by Preslaysa Williams

I started A Lowcountry Bride in 2010. Eleven years later, this story is published! It’s been quite a journey. My greatest wish for A Lowcountry Bride is that it inspires generations of readers to love, to hope, and to have faith in their dreams.

A Lowcountry Bridehas come to life because of my editor, May Chen. When I received The Call from May on January 9, 2020, joy filled my heart. Her insightful edits brought out the sweetness and energy in this story. I am so grateful for her positivity, thoughtfulness, and professionalism. May is a bright light in this world.

The team at Avon Books worked very hard to bring A Lowcountry Bride to readers. They also worked on this book during a pandemic, and so they deserve all the flowers. I want to give a special thanks to editor Elle Keck; to the art department at Avon; to the publicity team at Avon, including Pamela Spengler Jaffee and Kayleigh Webb; to my copyeditor, Nancy Tan; and to the production team at Avon, including Diahann Sturge, Robin Barletta, Jeanie Lee, Rachel Meyers, and Pamela Barricklow. I am forever grateful.

My South Carolina family took me in as their own. They showed me the true meaning of community. They taught me the importance of family, faith, decency, and kindness. I am especially grateful to Roosevelt Thomas; the Thomas family; my Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church family in Summerville, South Carolina; Yvette Jackson; Karen Kugblenu; and the late Margaret Wilson.

I dedicated this book to my husband, Daren Williams, and I am also expressing my thanks to him here. Daren sees me through the highs and lows, and he is one of my biggest champions. Daren is my hero in every sense of the word.

My two children, Samuel and Hannah, have been my constant companions on my writing journey. They watched me type on my computer or write in a notebook between playdates and their school lessons. They also saw my career disappointments. When my children read A Lowcountry Bride, I hope they’ll know that their mother never gave up on her aspirations—and so they should never give up on their dreams.

My parents, Laysander and Presentacion, raised me to work hard and do my best. They are the reason I can write this particular story. I love you forever.

Thank you to Lee Hampton for always eagerly reading my books and spreading the word about them to others. I love and appreciate you.

My sister Alethea taught me the importance of unconditional love. I also give my deepest appreciation for my siblings, Diarish, Michael, Laysander Jr., Bertha Darlene—and to my late sibling Kenneth. I love you all.

I am grateful to my in-laws, especially Charlie and Deborah Williams, Danielle Williams, Dale Williams, the late David Williams, and to my little nephew Daniel Williams. Welcome to the family, Daniel.

Thank you to my patrons who support me. I didn’t know if anyone would ever want to read what I wrote, but my patrons did. Their support keeps me going.

I want to extend a special thanks to Melissa Parcel. She is amazing, and I hope that God continues to bless her.

I also want to extend a special thanks to Margo Stebbing. Her poetry inspires me to continue honoring our Filipino ancestors. Thank you for your support and love.

A special thank-you to my writing friends, Piper Huguley, Vanessa Riley, Laurie Tomlinson, Tina Radcliffe, Tanya Agler, Laurie Wood, Cynthia Herron, HelenKay Dimon, Belle Calhoune, Mia Sosa, Thien-Kim Lam, Moni Boyce, Loni Crittenden, Briana Smith, Tristian Evans, Courtney Milan, Rachel Grant, Unoma Nwankor, Tracee Lydia Garner, Lucy Eden, and Stacey Agdern. They have helped me at various points in my writing journey, and I will always be grateful to them.

I want to give a special shout-out to my Faith Book Chella ladies, Norma Jarrett, Chandra Sparks Splond, Sherron Elise, and Natasha Frazier. I appreciate you.

Thank you to the anonymous donor who paid for me to attend the 2017 Romance Writers of America conference. This donor’s generosity changed my life for the better. I will always be grateful.

Thank you to my friends Eveline Powell, Monica Hurley, Shawnda Lindsey, Ashley Harrell, Bwerani and Tamischer Nettles, and Tamara D’Anjou-Turner. Their friendship over the decades has been unwavering and kind.

Thank you to Monsignor Raphael Peprah for guiding me on my spiritual journey. I am so glad for your wisdom and kindness.

Thank you to Seton Hill University Writing Popular Fiction faculty and fellow students. I submitted pages of A Lowcountry Bride during the workshops at our residencies, and your feedback was invaluable in helping me write this heartwarming romance. I also want to give a special shout-out to my mentors in the program, Kathryn Miller Haines and Anne Harris.

Thank you to story coach Savannah Gilbo for helping me transform the muddled story in my brain into a compelling narrative. A Lowcountry Bride would still be a rough draft on my hard drive if it hadn’t been for her.

Thank you to freelance editors Erin McCabe, Erica Monroe, and Jenny Proctor for helping me get this story polished and ready for submission. I am so grateful to you.

Thank you to my current and future readers. I hope this story touches your heart. I am so grateful for your enthusiasm and support.

I am so grateful to my ancestors and my late grandparents, Adelaide and Julian Catacutan; Effie Lattie and Sherman Edwards. I hold their stories in my breath and in my blood. I will tell of their happiness, their heartache, and their humanity for as long as I live.

And finally, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I didn’t know how A Lowcountry Bride would get published, but you guided this story into the hands of the right people. You once said that all things are possible to the person who believes.

I believe.