Saving Abby (24 page)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

No story is written by an author all on her own, and this is so true in regards to this story. I have a fabulous group of friends who helped me when I needed the encouragement. Dara, Elena, and Trish: you literally are “my girls.”

A special thank you to Marlene Roberts Engel. Little Sami was created with your own Samantha, who passed away from cancer at age thirteen, in mind. Thank you for sharing her spirit with me. It has been an honor to include a little bit of who she was within the character I was able to create.

Dr. Jaime Blackwood, thank you for all your help with my pediatric questions. I have no doubt you are a blessing to your patients and their families. Who would have thought when we were in public school years ago that you’d be helping me with my story?

Garrity Beales, your strength amazes me. Thank you for your courage in sharing your story of losing your son and for walking me through various scenarios.

Angela Jack, thank you for answering all my last-minute emergency medical questions—you’re a fabulous cousin for helping me!

To those in my Steena’s Secret Society, thank you for all your help with names and suggestions and for your belief in my storytelling. I hope you catch all the little things that only you would notice about me in this story. Special shout-outs to Amy Coates and Patricia Viviano for helping me create characters—without you, Kathryn and the sisters at the Sweet Bites Bakery wouldn’t be the same.

Lastly, to my family, both near and far, for your love, support, and encouragement as I wrote Claire and Josh’s story. All your help has not been lost on me, trust me!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Photo © 2013 Vanessa Pressacco

After writing her first novel while working as a receptionist, Steena Holmes made her dream of being a full-time writer a reality. She won the National Indie Excellence Book Award in 2012 for her bestselling novel
Finding Emma
. Now both a
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author, Steena continues to write stories that touch every parent’s heart in one way or another. To find out more about her books and her love for traveling, you can visit her website at
www.steenaholmes.com
or follow her journeys over on Instagram
@steenaholmes
.