Constantine Capers: The Pennington Perplexity by Natalie Brianne (new ebook reader TXT) 📕

Next, Mason, my RPG buddy! Byron started with you, and I thank you for giving him to me. I hope I did you proud. This book wouldn’t have made it far without your idea of an amnesiac detective.

My dear Jane, or is it Becca? Or in this case, you must be my Diana Barry. I never would have sent this book off to Immortal Works without your gentle, “what do you have to lose?” So, I have you to thank for this tome as well. I don’t think you needed tissues for this one, but I hope you read it with ice cream. (Yours truly, Lizzie)

Julie, I can say that at the moment you are my number one fan. You’d think my mother would be in that spot, but your excitement over reading my books makes me giddy. There are some days when I don't have motivation. Then I remember you are waiting with bated breath, and I manage to write a few more words. I love you dearly and hope I’ll keep you as a beta reader for a bit longer.

I have to throw some praise to the BYU study abroad program and Professors Horrocks, Mason, Howard, and Swenson. Thank you for giving me the experience of a lifetime at the London Center and beyond. And for not chiding me as I wrote my book on bus rides, in alcoves, and when I probably should have been writing papers. The richness of my story couldn’t have been possible without living in Europe. Also, thanks to Thais for feeding me.

Now, Richard Jones, you’ve probably never heard of me. I hope that you’ll end up reading my book because without you I wouldn’t have had most of my research. Your site (jack-the-ripper.org) has been invaluable for writing the period. You have no idea how long I’ve spent perusing the old newspapers on your site. I've checked and double-checked facts about events to make sure everything lined up perfectly with the calendar. Do you like my hypothesis for how it happened and, more importantly, why?

This book also wouldn’t have been possible without Mackenzie Seidal-Guzman, who found me at the Life the Universe and Everything conference and introduced me to my publisher.

Speaking of which, thanks must be given to my amazing publishing team. Rachel Huffmire, you darling person, thank you for being so excited about my book and for giving it a chance. Holli Anderson, thank you for agreeing with Rachel that my book was worth anyone’s time. John Olsen, your edits made Constantine even better and made me a better editor. And everyone else who worked on the book behind the scenes or in front of them, I thank you ardently.

As for Tabitha…well, you’ve said in the past that I seem to be able to do anything I want to. While I don’t always believe that, it looks like I’ve written a book! Thanks for joining me in my insanity, throwing Andes Mints at my face, listening to me talk about things that aren’t real, and being my sister in all the ways that matter. You’ve been with me through highs and lows and I can’t express how much our relationship means to me.

To all the teachers I’ve had over the years, this one’s for you too. Particularly Mr. Wix and Mr. Beeson. Both of you have had an enormous impact on my writing career. Perhaps I don’t write papers as well as I could and this book isn’t exactly what is considered “literary,” but I’m proud of it anyway. Thanks for pushing me to my limits and teaching me how to fly. Not with wings, but with words.

Thanks to Jacie and Carly for dealing with me in these last months before publication. I’ve probably been a bit of a nutjob, ranting about book blurbs, author bios, and the enormous number of edits I’ve been doing. I make no promises to be better the next time around, but at least you are getting acclimated to my special brand of insanity.

I believe thanks and a can of tasty chicken are in order for da Bunter. You beautiful boo, I don’t think I could have written this if you hadn’t sat on my keyboard and warmed my lap. Too bad you can’t read.

I must also give thanks to those strange people who raised me and were raised with me.

First off, can we get a round of applause for my mother? Thanks, Mum! Everything great in my life has started with you. I’m serious. From my own birth forward, you always knew what was best for me, even if I didn’t. You said, “Maybe you should do art as your career,” and I rebelled against that, but now I’m illustrating. You bring up that maybe I’d like to pursue humanities as my degree. I finally look into it and find that it is everything I’ve ever wanted to study. You mention off-hand that maybe my story could become a book. Poof! My book is in your hand. Thanks for everything, Mum. You’re the best rubber duck I could ask for.

Alex, even if you didn't program my website, you'd still be here. I look forward to talking with you every day. I love our banter and how we just seem to get each other. I like to think my first friend was you, even if you threatened to eat me when I was five.

Brent, it’s your fault that Byron and Mira didn’t kiss at the end. And I thank you for that. You, of course, were right about that. This is much better for the overarching storyline. Granted, us hopeless romantics are now hanging off a cliff. Do you think they can kiss in the next book? Asking for a friend.

Stephan, you’ve given me a steady stream of quiet, sweet support. I’m proud to be your favorite artist, and while I may not be your favorite author, I hope I’m up there.

Heather, you beautiful human. I may have