Crown of confessions, p.40
Crown of Confessions, page 40
She died the very same day.
Your words became a part of this story’s themes. And thank God I listened because it was in that moment that I could bring my real-life experience to the page in a genuine, heartfelt way.
And thank you for encouraging me to continue to write after my grandmother was gone. You knew me well enough in our three years together to know that writing was always my way of escaping pain, and you reminded me. Thank you for coming on this incredible journey with me and for holding my hand when things got hard and saying, “We got this.” That meant the world when the vision for this book was unclear. I will be forever grateful to you, Laura. You are a dream maker. Love you. You are my friend and the best coach and editor in the world.
To my sister Samantha: You helped lighten my mood after problem writing days at the computer. Thanks for all your support and for steering me back on the path. Love you, sissy.
Big thanks to my beta readers who took time out of their busy lives to read and review Crown of Confessions and for providing excellent feedback: Michael and Annie Tanda, Vicki Langone, Kevin Gildea, Mathew Morrone, Marco Di Ianni, Mavis Burford, Kari Schoch, Bob and Linda Langone, Lorre Jimenez, Jasmine Youngs, Donna Morrissey, and Monet Ortega Kerr.
Many thanks to my sensitivity readers, Nikki Langone Traore’ and Malon Ruffin: Your input was invaluable. I’ve learned so much from both of you. Let this story’s message bring us together.
To my street team, Samantha Alarcon, Karin Barbaria, Christina Melo, Monica Alarcon, Joanne Zavlaris, Monet Ortega-Kerr, Vicki Langone, Natalie Morrone, Brigitte Wiegand, Donna Bowron Morrissey, Julie Boydstun and Kelly Clark-Nelson, who rallied behind me and helped spread the word: Thanks for all the times you shared a promo graphic, and for every time you told a friend about the series. I treasure you. You are my people—my friends, the ones I trust on this journey. Big hugs, ladies.
To Kelly A. Way: Thanks for reading the manuscript and providing your superior, expert legal counsel.
To Kate Willette, who agreed to be my research assistant: Thanks for all your countless hours providing me the much-needed and thorough research of post-war Europe. I appreciate the level of detail you provided in your reports. The data helped me forge my way through the story with a historical lens.
To my proofreader, Sabine Sloley, who worked tirelessly at proofreading and editing Crown of Confessions: I appreciate all your help in ensuring this story’s overall readability. You did a commendable job, and it was a pleasure to work with you.
To my phenomenal cover artist, Tatiana Vila: You knocked it out of the park again! Your artistic talents are in a league of their own. I came to you with a vision for each book, and you nailed it—exceeding all expectations.
To my formatter, Stacey Blake: You are a formatting ninja! I always feel safe with my manuscript in your hands. You’ve done a fantastic job with both books. I look forward to our future work together!
To my cousin Lena Caruso-Commisso: Thanks for telling me about the foundling wheel and of our family’s history. I remember getting chills because it was exactly how I thought the story might go anyway. I learned so much about its history and its importance. Love you, cousin!
To the Langone, Tanda, Guerra, and Zavlaris families: Thank you for everything. For all the stories I heard, growing up, and for supporting me through this writing adventure. I’m so blessed to know you. You’ve all made such an impression on my life that I needed to tell the world about our shared history. Please keep talking about the stories with your children and grandchildren. Nani would be so happy if you did. Let us never forget where we came from.
And last but not least, to my cousin Dougie Sousa: I remember the night we watched the news together and learned of the COVID lockdown. You said that this was my chance to do what I loved and to write the book I’ve always wanted to write. It was that very same night that I opened my laptop, and a story I didn’t know existed poured out onto the page. Thank you for encouraging me to live my dream, because here I am, three years later, a published author with two books under my belt. You were the spark to my writing fire. I love you—you are my Tony.
To anyone suffering from domestic abuse, drug addiction, or thoughts of suicide, I hope this book serves as a beacon of hope and possibility. We share a common bond. Please know that you are never alone.
E.J.Tanda, Crown of Confessions
