Hell for Leather: Black Knights Inc. (28 page)

She was supposed to be their
cover
. Nothing more. End of story.

For those of you who have ever been to Cairo, Illinois, you’ll notice I embellished a bit on the decline of its population. Although the lynchings at the turn of the century; the race riots, boycotts, and “white flight” in the 1960s; and the 2011 Mississippi and Ohio River floods all struck major blows to the number of residents in Cairo, there are still many intrepid souls who are proud to call the town home. This book is dedicated, in part, to them and the inspiration their fascinating little burg afforded me.

Ever and always, I must thank my husband. Sweetheart, you’ll never know how much it means that you graciously and uncomplainingly put up with missed dinner dates, uncombed hair, and my wearing of a seemingly endless—and terribly unsexy—array of grungy sweatpants when I’m on deadline. And I’m
always
on deadline. So, simply put, you’re the best.

Next up, I must give a shout-out to my 4D gals—Chicago divas who dine, drink, and dish. Divas, without your advice, encouragement, and willingness to share a bottle of wine, I don’t know if I would have kept my sanity in this cutthroat world of publishing. Three words: Writers unite! Huzzah!

Also, hugs and kisses to Amanda Carlson, Amanda Bonilla, Kristen Callihan, Roxanne St. Claire, Louisa Edwards, and Kristen Painter. You guys never fail to make me laugh or get me a little tipsy…usually by way of Cards Against Humanity and peach champagne. Until the next conference…Monkey Toes!

And, as always,
thank
you
to our fighting men and women, those in uniform and those out of uniform. You protect our freedom and way of life so we all have the chance to live the American Dream.

Julie Ann Walker is the
New
York
Times
and
USA
Today
bestselling author of the Black Knights Inc. romantic suspense series. She is prone to spouting movie quotes and song lyrics. She’ll never say no to sharing a glass of wine or going for a long walk. She prefers impromptu travel over the scheduled kind, and she takes her coffee with milk. You can find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission. For more information, please visit
www.julieannwalker.com
or follow her on Facebook
www.facebook.com/jawalkerauthor
and/or Twitter @JAWalkerAuthor.