Anne & Henry (29 page)

But Henry doesn't turn. His shoulders slump. One

two

three seconds pass.

I love you.

The pushpin holding up the last picture is stuck in my throat. Henry grabs the corner and yanks. The bottom half of the image rips and floats to the floor.

The door clicks shut behind him and he's gone.

I gather my belongings, suddenly desperate, ready to leave this place, these people, leave Henry behind. With my hand on the door handle, I pause at what's left of the exhibits, my heart heavy and broken.

But all that remains is the stark image of my severed head.

It's cliché but true that it takes a village to raise a child, and that is perhaps no more relevant for me than with the “birth” of
Anne & Henry
. From its earliest origins, this book has enjoyed the support and encouragement of some incredibly supportive people, beginning with my amazing agent Mandy Hubbard and the awesome Bree Ogden (a true Tudor expert and Anne Boleyn fan).

Sometimes, when I'm having a (stereo)typical writerly doubt kind of day, I look back on those e-mails where Mandy and Bree fed my fragile ego with inspiration and unwavering praise. Thank you ladies for your (ginormous) part in making this publishing dream come true. Your passion for this book and for my portrayal of the characters means more to me than I could ever acknowledge in words.

As I write this, thinking of all the words she'd probably strike through, I struggle not to make this acknowledgement
page “An Ode to Sara Sargent.” As an editor, Sara is professional, thorough, and brilliant, if not at times a royal pain in the ass—what the heck is wrong with breathing, inhaling, exhaling, smirking, laughing, and smiling, anyway? In all seriousness, this book is so much more for her insight, skill, and absolute faith. From her earliest revision notes, peppered with hand-drawn hearts and stars, to her (almost) daily e-mails that made me laugh and cry (I know you're not surprised, hon!), she's become so much more than an editor. Sara, I can never thank you enough for all that you've taught me, and the support you—and the entire Simon Pulse team—has given to me and this book. Thank you for believing in me.

A giant virtual hug to Regina Flath, who designed a dream cover for
Anne & Henry
. Thank you for “getting” this story. I could not have envisioned a more perfect cover. You are brilliant.

Eternal gratitude to my writing mentors Gary Braver, Steve Berry, James Rollins, and Jacquelyn Mitchard, who taught me to write tight, write often, and to always dream big.

Writing is, by nature, a solitary act, but I am so fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family who have acted as cheerleaders for not only this book, but also my entire career. To my remarkable critique partners Kyle Kerr, Kitty Keswick, and Rocky Hatley, my undying gratitude for reading, rereading, and rereading Anne & Henry yet again, for listening to me whine, and for (repeatedly) picking me up
when I thought I was down for the count. I know you can recite this book word for word by now—and yet, there are not enough words to thank you.

And to my awesome beta readers Karen Dyck (my Henry VIII expert!); Bessie McLaughlin (thrilled you love THIS version of Henry); Savannah and Amanda Ius (write your books, ladies); James Grasdal (chief cheerleader); Brandon Freund (thanks for American Politics 101, now finish writing your book!); and Hailey Pelletier—your feedback, knowledge, and keen reading skills are, as always, invaluable. Special thanks to my early chapter readers Jessica Bell, Karen Bass, Louise Gorenall, and Jamie Provencal, and to my always-there pom-pom waver, Sue Worobetz. You've talked me down from many a cliff—thank you.

To my incredible sister, Jessica Driscoll—you are my rock. There is nothing I could say that could ever adequately convey how much I love and appreciate all that you have done, and continue to do for me, not only for this book, but Every. Single. Day. I love you so very much.

I am incredibly fortunate to have such support from my entire family. Thank you, Dad, for buying me that old rolltop desk, begrudgingly admitting that you supported my career choice, even if it meant I'd always be a “starving artist” and you wouldn't be able to retire—ever. And to my mom, for encouraging me to be Alice (your dreamer)—even if this book isn't a Lee Child–like story. (Hey, there're no vampires!)
And to my amazing stepfather, Simon Angell, whose love of me, coupled with his love for Anne Boleyn, made writing this book that much more important.

Last—but certainly not least—I thank my beautiful stepdaughter, Aydra Dalton, whose words of support can melt the most stubborn self-doubt, and my husband, Jeffrey. You may not fully understand this industry, babe, but you understand me. I love you. Always.

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

SIMON PULSE

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020

www.SimonandSchuster.com

First Simon Pulse hardcover edition September 2015

Text copyright © 2015 by Dawn Ius

Jacket photographs copyright © 2015 by Jill Wachter

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

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Jacket designed by Regina Flath

Interior designed by Hilary Zarycky

The text of this book was set in Berling

Ius, Dawn.

Anne & Henry / by Dawn Ius. —First Simon Pulse hardcover edition.

pages cm

Summary: On a rigid path set by his family to become valedictorian, attend Harvard Law School, have a stunning political career like his father's, and date the right girl, Henry Tudor feels trapped until he meets the wild, brash Anne Boleyn, and they embark on a dangerous romance.

ISBN 978-1-4814-3941-1 (hardcover)

[1. Dating (Social customs)—Fiction. 2. Love—Fiction. 3. High schools—Fiction. 4. Schools—Fiction.] I. Title. II. Title: Anne and Henry.

PZ7.1.I97An 2015

[Fic]—dc23

2014046969

ISBN 978-1-4814-3943-5 (ebook)