Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Writing a book is truly a team sport, and I feel thankful and blessed to have a number of wonderful people who graciously contributed their many talents.

As with each of the Ladies in Waiting books, I relied on the magnificent gifts of Lauren Mackay, historical research assistant and an author in her own right. She always knows exactly where to put her hands on the right material, trims overwrought language, and can dig through a heap of history five hundred years old to suggest the exact fact the book requires. This time around, Jessica Barnes, a talented longtime friend and trusted, gifted editor with Story-Driven Editorial, also stepped in to assist with her invaluable story-depth and character-development insights. The exceptional Jenny Q of Historical Editorial brought her knowledge base and amazing, intuitive plot analysis to the completed manuscript. Laura A. Wideburg, PhD, lead teacher at the Swedish Cultural Center in Seattle, Washington, was an invaluable resource of all things Swedish Renaissance. Thanks very much to Susan Hageman and the Royal Horseguards Hotel, a beautiful property located in the Whitehall district, near and dear to all British history lovers.

I truly appreciate Danielle Egan-Miller and Joanna MacKenzie, simply the best and brightest agents in the world, and their wonderful assistant, Shelbey Campbell; my confidence is bolstered knowing that they are in my corner. Thanks, too, to the great team at Howard Books who help bring these books to life and to market. Debbie Austin, as always, deserves high praise for her abilities to keep me, and the many thousands of facts uncovered, organized, and properly presented.

I could never have written this book without my astonishing husband, Michael, who did everything from reassuring and encouraging to hand-translating an entire book from Swedish to English online. Thanks, too, to my kids, Samuel and Elizabeth, who bring joy and meaning to my life. Finally, all honor and glory to God, who makes all things possible.