Iron Mike (36 page)

Every writer always says no novel is written alone, blah-blah-blah.

This is my first published novel, and I’m here to tell you this: they are absolutely right! Bottom line is the book you picked up to read would not have happened if not for the amazing skills of my editor/cover artist/expert hand-holder Heather Anne Osborne. She is simply a GODDESS of EDITORIAL GOODNESS, and if you’re considering writing and are lucky enough to grab some of her (rapidly diminishing) time, you should do so. I promise, any errors you find in this novel are solely my own, because I tend to be thickheaded sometimes!

Beta readers. Seriously. Do not leave home without them! My beta readers caught so many mistakes that would have made me look stoopider than stoopid!! Thank you, LaDonna Eddie Pigg, Kevin Scott, C.J. Rutherford, Kayla Smith, Taylor Kennedy, Pete Dutton, Andy Ramsey and Michael Scott! LaDonna, I have your review FRAMED, hon, and no matter how many novels I ever write, your review will always have pride of place! I'll never forget how I felt the moment I read your words!

Friends ... where do I start? I have friends who have put up not only with my undependability for the past year, but also with the jags of crying, depression, manic glee, and total preoccupation with people who really DO exist (in my mind). Each of the following people have, whether they've known it or not, immeasurably helped this book come to fruition: Taylor from Florida, Lynette from Lexington, Sarah and Eric from Louisville, Trish from next door, and last, but certainly not least, the boys from Down Under, Peter Dutton (the kindest and smartest man I know, and also the self-proclaimed “crazy one!!”) and Andrew Ramsey (the “Maverick Biker”). Thank you, to all of you, more than I can say!

My adopted family from Lexington, Ma and Poppa, Bonni, Lyn and Sean ... I don’t get to see you guys nearly as much as I want to or as I should, but please know I love you all!

And lastly, I’d like to thank you, the reader whom I have imagined in my mind. (You guys are the real fictitious characters, not Mike, Kari, Hershey,
et. al.
!) I’ve dreamed of writing something fun and entertaining, something other people would enjoy reading, for as long as I can remember. If I’ve succeeded for you, and if you feel up to it, drop me a line at
[email protected]
or check out my Facebook page under the same name! I’d love to hear from some of my
real
imaginary friends!

Patricia Rose was born a bookworm, and has never outgrown it. Her love of stories started with
The Bobbsey Twins
when she was five and continues today with the best offerings of science fiction, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance. An avid animal lover, she shares her home with her husband, her spiritual wife, two dogs, four cats, a snake, and a tarantula. Her husband, Kevin, has strongly advised her to put down her hammer, chisels, and stone tablets and come into the digital age!
Iron Mike
is her first publication.