ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I should like to extend my thanks to my dear friends, Tina Newell, Gloria-Jean Bamber and Dianne Ashton for their tireless and patient reading of each draft I produced—and there were many. To my colleagues at the Leicester Writers’ Club for their patient critiquing and helpful remarks—especially to Dave Martin. To Miss Fones, Head of English, at English Martyrs Catholic School, for her invaluable critiquing and insight into the application of this book to the educational sector, and her encouragement to make it a reality. Also to her colleague Mr Kaczmar, Head of History, who contacted me later with the names of Exam Boards dealing with this curriculum.
Thanks also to my Editor, Nancy Callegari, who returned my MS with a morale-boosting note saying:
‘Imperilled’ was an incredibly emotive storyline to work on, and so well-written I imagined every inch of the journey and the family’s battle. It made me cry, but that’s the sign of perfection – being able to convey that agony, despair, and loneliness.
To Cathy Helms of Avalon Graphics LLC for painstakingly trying to convey the above sentiments within the design of the book cover. To Maureen Vincent-Northam for reading and line editing the final manuscript. Finally, to Rebecca Emin, who not only prepared the script for publication but also for constantly being on hand to help with my queries and offering advice. How blessed was I to have found such an ‘A Team’? For this, I have to thank my fellow author, Madalyn Morgan.
Thanks also to Dr Mark Ostrowski for posting his family’s experiences at the same hard labour camp on the Kresy-Siberia Virtual Museum News Letter of December 2013, certain facts of which enabled me to further flesh out this story.
Love and thanks to my wonderful husband, Verdun, whose television viewing I blighted for years whilst working on this book, tapping away on my laptop in the armchair beside my mother so that she wouldn’t feel lonely.
Last, but not least, to my mother; a wonderful, inspirational woman who lit up every life she touched and whose smile and patience allowed this book to be.
Copyright
Imperilled
Copyright © Kristina Freer 2021
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any form of storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the author.
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Some names and identifying details have been changed