To all of my close and personal friends and the national chapter leaders of the David E. Talbert Book Club (which you know by now isn’t really a book club, but rather a collection of my close and personal friends across the country who wouldn’t charge me for help). For real, I thank you all.

To my circle of dear friends, family, and fabulous ladies—Chelia Saddler, Diane Houslin, Sandra Azor, Sandy Sisson (momma-in-law), Lisa Deveaux, Patrice Wilson, and Leneé Harris (Lil’ Sis): Thank you all for your insight, encouragement, and enthusiasm. God knows I needed it.

To Ms. Cathy Hughes, and the support of the entire Radio One family: I don’t take it lightly that while being one of the busiest and most enterprising women in the world, you find my work important enough to invest your time, insight, and creativity. Thank God for you!

To the entire D.C. Metropolitan Area, the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area, the city of Baltimore, my folks at Morgan State University, and WEAA: Thank you for embracing me, educating me, and giving me a platform to discover and develop my gifts.

To my extended family members who have opened their homes, their hearts, and some even their churches: Bishop Noel Jones, Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, Reuben and Linda Cannon, Dr. Frank and Marla Reid, Tim and Pam Watts, and Scott Julion.

To Holly Davis Carter, a.k.a. “Flouie Vuitton”—one of the most aggressive and hardest working sistahs in the industry. Thank you for believing in my work enough to invest your time, energy, and connections. To the super-assistants and some ex-super-assistants—Karima, Maria, Ina, Mindy, and Amy—one, thanks for keeping me on point, and two, thanks for giving me greater insight into the mind of a woman.

To my literary agent, Alan Nevins—who after seeing my play Love Makes Things Happen , cornered me in his office and demanded that I write novels: And you didn’t even know I could write! In a town built on the fake, phony, and pretentious, you are one of the most genuine people I know.

To my manager Mike Prevett, who always jumps off calls, and hops on phones to brainstorm with me: Mike, you are truly one of a kind! Thanks for always being on point and giving the best story notes ever. Your office with a view is right around the corner.

To my editor, Cherise Grant—okay, so now I know why editors get such huge shoutouts!: Thanks for taking the time to give such wonderful notes. Handwritten notes. Email-able notes. Hundreds and hundreds of notes. From you I’ve learned that it truly does take a village to raise a novel. Big thanks to you, David Rosenthal, and the amazing publishing house for breaking convention, embracing my world, and cultivating my career in literature.