Fanfare (35 page)

Let it wash over you . . .

. . . and believe you deserve it.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First, I want to thank my family for their love and support. My passion for the written word began at home with battered copies of the classics and tiny flashlights hidden under my pillow. Mom and Dad, thank you for passing your love of books onto me. To Victor, Erica, Ian, and Chris - we are parts of a whole. No story is complete without even one of you.

To my extended “family” - Ela, Gin, Sheila, Gautam, and Tabi - the nights of endless laughter and food are the fuel that fires my imagination and warms my soul. The words “thank you” are startling insufficient. I’m so lucky for each and every one of you.

Without the tireless advocacy of Laura Kreitzer and the gang at Revolution, Fanfare would still be a manuscript lost in the void. Laura, you have become much more than a colleague. You are a woman-extraordinaire, and I am in awe of your courage and conviction. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Finally, to all the readers of my earliest attempts who pushed me to persevere . . . this book exists because of you.

ABOUT RENEE AHDIEH

Renee Ahdieh believes that life should be relished like a beloved book: one page at a time. When she’s not writing, Renee enjoys traveling, cooking, and salsa dancing. Her award-winning blog on all things foodie can be found at
www.thecandidcook.com
.

She lives in North Carolina with her husband Victor and their dog Mushu.

Fanfare is her debut novel.