Acknowledgments

As with any project in which dozens of capable people come together to do something truly special, it is often difficult to know where to start. An undertaking like this is much more than the efforts of the person whose name graces the cover.

Let me start close to home:

Thank you, Amy, for your constant encouragement and understanding. You know I love this stuff, don't you?

Thanks, Marissa, for your earnest offers of help. I think you have a few good books in you, too!

Thank you, Shaylee, for making me play the Numa Numa Dance when I really wanted to work. You never let me take myself too seriously.

Also, let me thank:

Paul Marks and Dan Connor, for your assistance with art for Chapter 6. It is great to know there are those who are willing to help complete strangers in a bind.

Laura Lewin, my agent, without whom I would probably have chosen a new career by now.

Kathy Simpson, for translating all my works into English and for learning VoIP in the process.

Cliff Colby, for not getting twitchy when he saw a title beginning with the word Fire.