Kept Read online

  Acknowledgments

  I used to think that a book was the effort of one person. And while that’s partly true—writers write, after all—there are so many people who influenced me and helped in some way.

  My first thank you goes to my local writers’ chapter—the fabulous ACFW Kansas City West—who brainstormed and critiqued with me. Many thanks to the crew that helped me plot that crucial opening chapter. Your comments and viewpoints were right on. The rest of the group critiqued it until they had to be sick of it—and worked a ton with me to choreograph that first scene in the hallway. I’d be bald without you guys. And my readers would be lost. Thank you!

  I have to give a big shout-out to my beta readers—you all are the best! Ginger Aster, Ane Mulligan, Lora Young, Terri Poss, Jennifer Fromke, Joy Melville, Elizabeth Kramer (if the costuming gig doesn’t work out, you should be a macro editor!), Rebecca Barlow Jordan, Elizabeth Runyan, Michelle Massaro, and Heidi Blankenship. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your time, encouragement, and insights.

  To my Christian Indie Authors group—what a wealth of information everyone’s been! It isn’t easy going from writer to writer and publisher. Thanks to so many farther down the trail who shared their business knowledge and experience.

  Christina Tarabochia, thank you for your insightful edits! I’m so glad I took a “risk” on a new author a few years back and read your book. I’ve so appreciated getting to know you and hearing your thoughts about Kept.

  Elizabeth Kramer, thank you for being my go-to medical and mayhem person. We have too much fun thinking through all the injuries my characters face. Let’s hope the NSA never listens in to our calls. Miss you, friend.

  Kristin, thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I’ve only known the “after” version and not the “before,” but I can’t picture you as the woman you say you once were. You’re an amazing trophy of God’s grace. Thank you for being open with me.

  Of course I have to say a huge thank you to my family. Mom and Dad, you paid my way through college and let me major in something I was unlikely to make a living on. Better yet, you lived for God and taught me the importance of following Him. I’ve been incredibly blessed by your faithful testimony and love. I can’t imagine that there are better parents anywhere in the world. My sister, Andria, thank you for always being a fan and letting me talk about my dreams. I’m sure that got tiresome at times, me being the older know-it-all sister.

  To my husband, Steve, who’s always believed in me. Seventeen years ago, when I talked about writing a whole lot more than I wrote, you told me that the world wouldn’t be sorry if I never wrote. Those words have stuck with me and reminded me that I had to stop dreaming and start doing. You’ve always believed in me, and I can’t even say how badly I needed that. Thank you for supporting my indie journey. You’re the best. We should grow old together.

  And to the world’s best kids—Ty, Alison, Luke—you guys have enriched my life so much. It seems cliché to say, but it’s true that because of you, I’m a better woman. You’ve filled our lives with lots of laughter and companionship. Ty and Alison, what a help you’ve been as I’ve worked on Kept. This book wouldn’t be available yet without you two stepping up and helping out where needed. Thank you for understanding that Mom had her own dreams and goals and for being excited with me at each step. I love you all so much. You guys make me proud.

  Thank you, God, for giving me this writing dream. And thank you for making me wait. The wait has made it that much sweeter. I pray that everything I write will bring glory and honor to you always.

  About the Author

  Sally Bradley has been a fiction lover for as long as she can remember—and has been fascinated by all things Chicago (except for the crime, politics, and traffic) for almost as long. A Chicagoan since age five, she now lives in the Kansas City area with her pastor/cop husband and their three children, but she and her family get back to Chicago when they can for good pizza and a White Sox game. A freelance editor and former president of her local writing chapter, Sally has won a handful of awards for Kept and another work-in-progress. Visit her online at sallybradley.com.