Juanita: But what about all the people watching? People who’ve been following your story since the moment it began, the afternoon of August 6. They want to know where things stand between you and Jade. What should I tell them? Are you still a couple?

Man: By my count that’s three. [approaches desk] All right, Cam. You know the drill.

Juanita: What do I tell them, Cam?

Cam: Here’s an idea. [stands, offers wrists to guard] Tell them to do what they’ve been doing all along, to use their imagination.

Keep reading for an excerpt from Stranger in the Lake by Kimberly Belle.

A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S

My Darling Husband is a work of fiction, but like all fiction, it’s a story rooted in truth. I live in Atlanta, a city with its fair share of violent crime. Home invasions occur here often enough it’s almost easy to become numb to them...until one day it happened to people I know. Their story began much like Jade’s: an armed stranger confronting the mother and children in the garage and forcing his way inside. The ransom he demanded was an odd amount, a number he’d gotten from a bank statement pilfered from their mailbox. That family survived, but their experience got me thinking. What would I have done in that mother’s shoes? How far would I go to save my children? My answers formed the basis for Jade’s actions in My Darling Husband.

Writing her story was a solitary endeavor, but it wouldn’t be a book without a team of talented, passionate, dedicated folks to bring it out into the world.

My agent, Nikki Terpilowski, is brilliant at helping me navigate the sometimes choppy waters of this business while always keeping her eye on the horizon. Thanks for being my fiercest advocate and loudest cheerleader. We make a great team.

At Park Row, Laura Brown’s editorial guidance was as gentle as it was genius. She’s the one who planted the very first seed for this story in my head, then took what I wrote and helped me shape it into a book. I am so grateful for her patience and wisdom, as well as for that of the stellar team at Park Row, including Erika Imranyi, Emer Flounders, Gina Macedo and all the folks working tirelessly behind the scenes. I am so blessed to have found a home there.