Two-thirty eight in the morning. Finally, finished rewrite of third draft of Run or Die! Had to fix an error in the next to the last chapter. Last thing to do: check email.

Opened up my email and this is what I read: (the book she is referring to is: Sketch of a Murder)

Suzanne Eviston	9:22 PM (14 hours ago)
to me

Loving the book! Especially now as I read the killer talking in first person…it is great! and also because now that I’m a detective in the special assault unit…how timely!

I am so very proud of this young lady! (And quite honored by her words about my novel) She has worked incredibly hard to rise to her position as a detective.

In 2007, Suzanne and her K9 partner, Axel, were one team of several officers responding to the call of a burglary in progress. Her vehicle was t-boned by a stolen Jeep Cherokee driven by one of suspects attempting to escape the scene. Suzanne was in critical condition.

You don’t come back from such a vicious vehicular assault without hard work, and pain. Lots of both.

Suzanne not only came back from the assault, but as soon as she was able, she returned to work. Though she was frequently in incredible pain, you never heard a word of complaint. I truly admire Suzanne, and am honored that she  extended her friendship to me.

She’s the kind of person who quietly goes about making our world a better, and a safer, place. (Click the link below to view the vehicle Suzanne was cut out of)

….and lived to tell about it

This woman is a mini-hurricane of activity! Whenever I visit with her she is inevitably training German Shepherds, arranging delivery of dog food or dog items from her store (she is a big advocate of healthy eating for dogs and sells a wonderful raw diet), setting up puppy viewing times for the excellent babies her kennel, von Grunheide Shepherds, produces and any number of other activities. But, she has never been too busy to talk with me, to assist me with my own dogs, or to give me information on police questions–everything from homicide procedures to how does a taser hit really feel.

CONGRATULATIONS, SUZANNE!  You truly deserve all the good things that come your way!