Thank you to my parents, no longer with us, but here in spirit with me every day. Their lessons are in my stories.

Thank you to Jan Irwin Klein for her editing and Diane Desmarest Lynch, the Mayhem Gang Facebook group moderator, for encouraging me along the way. A late thanks to Walter Scott for proofing the book. Man, he found little issues that I can’t believe, but were well caught.

Diane you made an awesome imaginary bookstore manager, as well as a real-life fantastic, cheerful head moderator of my Facebook group Susan May’s Mayhem Gang. While we’re mentioning the Gang, thank you to my other moderators Sue May and Suzie Eastgate. To the awesome group members, I send gratitude. Visiting with you guys every day is a joy and keeps me positive. Come join us if you like. Everyone is welcome.

Thank you to my Steve Marvel who is working on the audiobook as you read this. He narrated The Troubles Keeper and he’s a genius with characters.

Thank you Wonderful Reader, for giving your time to this story. Time is more precious than anything in this world and I’m grateful you trusted me enough to come this far.

Finally, to all those who dream of writing or any endeavor dear to your heart…

You don’t need a magic book or permission to do this. Just put on an imaginary coat with writer (or whatever) on the pocket, and you just never know what will happen. Every day is another day working toward the place where you can await luck. There are no bad words you can write on the journey. I’ve written more than a million terrible words and somehow they’ve added up to books enjoyed by tens of thousands.

Go be magical in whatever moves you to joy. Somewhere out there people are waiting for the unique message of beauty you have to share.

I thank my good fortune that I followed my dream, even if it was delayed by twenty-four years until the one day in 2010 when I decided, let’s give this a swing and see where I end up.

There’s no telling where the lucky spot lies in the future. You just gotta believe it’s there. Failing that, you can always go hunt through a second-hand bookstore. As my dad used to recite to me when I asked him if something magical could possibly exist, There are more things in heaven and earth…

Susan May

Dear reader, a favor …

If you have enjoyed this story or any of my books, can I ask you a favor please?

An author needs help to spread the word about their books, to be the messenger. If you’ve loved this book and want other people to experience my books, please share your thoughts. This would mean so much to me.

If you have a spare few minutes, could you please visit Amazon USA and/or in your country's Amazon and also Good Reads and leave a short review (a long one if you like). Reviews help a book gain an audience.