Six Months Later (24 page)

This is harder than I thought it would be. I want to thank everyone I’ve ever met and maybe a few random strangers—and it probably looks like I have. But truthfully, I know I will think of others later and wish I’d mentioned them too. I hope they’ll have the grace to forgive me.

My first thanks is to God, for planting this dream and giving me parents that would let me chase it. To my mother, who I hope is looking down with pride, and to my father, who teaches me every day what the word
perseverance
actually means.

Six
Months
Later
was championed by an unbeatable publishing team at Sourcebooks Fire. Kim Manley, Cat Clyne, Jillian Bergsma, Derry Wilkens, and, most of all, Leah Hultenschmidt, thank you so much for believing in me and in this book. You have made every part of this process lovely.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the hard work of my agent, whose wisdom and kindness are unmatched. Cori Deyoe, as always, thank you so much for being in my corner.

I am blessed with an amazing group of supporters, some friends, some relatives—all family to me. Angela, Debbie, Tori, Tiffany, Leigh Anne, Sharon, Christy, Esther, Jon, Melissa, Kathy, Paul, my cousin Jennifer (who just “knew” this book would sell), and my stepmom Karen (who read this long before it was actually good)—I’m more grateful than you know for your encouragement.

A special thanks to some of my writer friends, my awesome fellow Doomsdaisies and my chapter mates at COFW. In particular, I’d like to thank Karin, Susan, and Margs, who’ve taught me so much and been such good friends. Also, to Robin, for sound advice, homemade meatballs, and thirty-five visits to the Disney store in forty-eight hours. Last but certainly not least, I’d like to thank Sheri, who’s probably spent a year of her life on the phone with me dissecting one story issue or another. I have no idea why you still pick up the phone, Sheri, but I’m so grateful.

Of course, writing with three young children would be impossible without the unfailing support of my wonderful husband. David, you never, ever doubted. I love you for that and for so much more.

In closing, I’d like to thank my three children who make my world brighter and more beautiful. Ian, Adrienne, and Lydia, I love you to the moon and back times infinity.
You
are the magic in every one of my stories.

At seven, Natalie D. Richards wrote about Barbara Frances Bizzlefishes (who wouldn’t dare do the dishes). Now she writes about awesome girls, broody boys, and all things dark and creepy. Natalie lives in Ohio (Go Bucks!) with her husband, three kids, and a seventy-pound dust mop who swears he’s the family dog. You can visit her at
www.nataliedrichards.com
or follow her on Twitter @NatDRichards.

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Hannah Jayne

I know who you are.

When Riley first gets the postcard tucked into her bag, she thinks it’s a joke. Then she finds a birth certificate for a girl named Jane Elizabeth O’Leary tucked inside her baby book.

Riley’s parents have always been pretty overprotective. What if it wasn’t for her safety…but fear of her finding out their secret? What have they been hiding? The more Riley digs for answers, the more questions she has.

The only way to know the truth? Find out what happened to Jane O’Leary.

For more YA thrillers, visit
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