Payback (The Canine Handler Book 1) (25 page)

Eva has been trying to get her and Sarah’s story onto paper for over a decade. After a false start a few years ago, I was lucky enough to meet Demi Stevens from Year of the Book. If it hadn’t been for her one lone email from York County Library System, that almost made its way to the trash bin without being read, I doubt their story would have ever emerged in print.

Although they are both fictional characters, I have been carrying them around in my head far too long. Thankful beyond words, I am truly lucky to be part of Demi’s group, Year of the Book, and her literary world. She has been a dream to work with. Thank you, Demi!

Words cannot express my gratitude to my husband, Matt Hillegas, for pushing me to write and believing that my story was worth telling. Special thanks go to my children, Garrett Hillegas, for designing my cover, and Laura Hillegas, for the encouraging words to continue when writing fodder failed to find me. I am very grateful for my wonderful family.

Special appreciation to my readers who took their personal time to read through my manuscript and give me feedback. Thank you to Pam Caya, Kellee Millheim, Emilia Milheim, Barbara Hillegas, Linda Fitchett, Matt Hillegas, Steph Kratzer, and Linda Murphy.

Special thanks and appreciation goes to Lisa Kakavas from Mason Dixon Rescue Dogs for reading through my initial drafts as well as the final round.

Thank you to the search and rescue canine community that I have been a part of since the early nineties. Much of the background was drawn from training experiences over the years.

If search and rescue piques your interest, or you would just like to know more about what goes into becoming a first responder, please check out the following organization:

Ardainc.org

Trotsar.org

Nasar.org

Sarah Gavin has to let go of her independent nature as she tries to sort out her life. She finds herself on trial for three brutal murders, and must rely on help from an unlikely source… a police officer who cares for her deeply. What will happen with her working partners? Will she lose Gunner and Sam? How will the trial unfold? What will become of Sarah and Dave?