Acknowledgments
The list of individuals to acknowledge continues to grow as Ive met some of the most amazing people. First and foremost, I thank God for blessing me with the gift to write, the courage to pen whats in my heart, the continued growth in my career, and I thank Him for you.
My son, Jesse Bernard Byrd Jr., is absolutely amazing. I often say, God gave me the right child. Not because Jesse has written his first novel, not because he owns his clothing business ( www.OiseauChateau.com ), or that he has a degree from UC Santa Barbara, but God gave me a child who is respectful and considerate of others. Jesse is passionate about his life, hardworking, and hes fearless in the pursuit of his dreams.
Im happy my son has an awesome girlfriend, Emaan Abbass. The two of them are great together. They often plan surprise dates for one another. Ive heard my son say, If its going to bother Emaan, I wont do it. Most selfish things that couples do, in the end, isnt worth it. An ounce of prevention can save a whole lot of heartaches. Im glad my son and his girlfriend get it.
Jason Grisby, you are the man! Im proud of you. Thanks for sending me an autographed pair of Adidas tennis shoes. I love them! Ive put them on the shelf so I can tell people, I know JG.
While doing research for this novel, I stayed thirty-one days at La Maison, an urban bed-and-breakfast in Midtown, Houston, Texas. The owners, Sharon Owens and Genora Boykins, definitely made me feel at home. The chef, Sergio, prepared breakfast for me every day, and Tommi tidied my room every day. Thanks, everyone!
Preparing for the theatrical release of the movie Soulmates Dissipate, I decided to give my website a new look. Richard C. Montgomery, Fransis Young, Kim Mason, worked with Kensingtons experts, Lesleigh Irish-Underwood and Michele Santelices, to create the new www.MaryMorrison.com . I sincerely appreciate what each of you contributed.
Raynard Richardson and Donald Hogan, thanks for taking me to lunch while I was in Houston. Sharing memories of the days I worked with you guys at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development was so much fun. Ray, that hookup with Harold V. Dutton, Jr. might work out. If not, I guess youll have to find me another Houston hubby. Good luck! Dont introduce me to one of those women are seen and not heard kinda dudes. Not my type.
Clemetric Thomas-Frazier, my Facebook friend whos now like family, youre a true jewel. Im waiting for you to finish your book, chick. Stop procrastinating!
Someone old, someone new, someone borrowed, and no one blue best describes the guys I connected with while in Houston. All shall remain nameless, but you know who you are. What can I say? I love a man in a suit and cowboy boots!
To the Honorable Vanessa Gilmore, your assistance is greatly appreciated. You truly are a diva judge. I wish you and your son, Sean, the best.
I spent countless happy hours at Pappadeaux, Pappasitos, and Carrabbas penning lots of pages. Thanks to all the bartenders who served me well. Andrew Drew Coleman at Eddie Vs, I wish you the best, man, and look forward to your modeling and acting career being a huge success.
My friend since third grade, Vanessa Ibanitoru, I love you, sis. Brenda Jackson, Kenneth Todd, Bill Voget, Felicia Polk, Vyllorya A. Evens, Marilyn Edge, Carmen Polk, Malissa Tafere-Walton, Celeste Surrell, and Eve Lynne Robinson, your friendship is priceless.
Marissa Monteilh, aka Pynk, Lisa Renee Johnson, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Victor McGlothin, youre some of the most talented authors, and its truly my honor to know you.
I often wonder what it wouldve been like to know my mother, Elester Noel, and my father, Joseph Henry Morrison. Well, those are opportunities that will never be on earth. I look forward to our union in the afterlife when that time comes.
My great aunt Ella Beatrice Turner and my great uncle Willie Frin-kle reared me, and for that I am eternally grateful. Honestly, Im not sure if I could do for others what these two did for me, but Id like to believe that every day I would raise, educate, clothe, and feed four children who werent my own. God bless those who do. A special thanks to my earthly mother, Barbara H. Cooper.
Wayne, Andrea, Derrick, and Regina Morrison, Margie Rickerson, and Debra Noel are my siblings. Thanks, guys, for always believing in me. More important, I pray you guys understand that I am eternally evolving. Artists are birthed from the womb, but I swear we come from the moon.
I genuinely appreciate all of my Facebook family, friends, and fans, my Twitter followers, and my McDonogh 35 Senior High alumni. I dont know many graduates that love their high school as much as we Roneagles do. Im forever indebted to all of the teachers in my hometown of New Orleans at F. P. Ricard, McDonogh 36, Carter G. Woodson, and McDonogh 35. Many of you encouraged me to believe in myself, and that has made the difference in my life today.
Thanks to my editor and friend, Selena James at Kensington Publishing Corporation. Youre the best. Appreciation to Steven Zacharius, Adam Zacharius, Laurie Parkin, Karen Auerbach, Adeola Saul, Lesleigh Irish-Underwood, and everyone else at Kensington for growing my literary career.
Well, whats an author without brilliant agents? Im fortunate to have two of the best agents in the literary business, Andrew Stuart and Claudia Menza. You are appreciated. Kenneth Norwick, looking forward to it!
I thank everyone that is making the Soulmates Dissipate film series possibleLeslie Small, director/producer, Jeff Clanagan, CEO of Codeblack Entertainment and producer, Dawn C. Mallory, Jesse Byrd Jr., and all of you at Lionsgate. Its Hollywood, baby!
Wishing peace and prosperity in abundance for each of my readers. Dream with your eyes wide open.
Visit me online at www.MaryMorrison.com , sign up for my Honey-Buzz newsletter. Join my fan page on Facebook at Mary-Honey-B-Morrison, and follow me on Twitter, @marybmorrison.