Rising Sun, Falling Shadow Page 33

  She kissed his cheek, letting her nose linger on the soft stubble. “Every so often even dreamers get it right.”

  “Look!” Hannah cried as she pointed across the table.

  Sunny turned to see Jakob wobbling upright. He took a tentative step, then another, and two more in rapid succession before toppling down onto the floor. He appeared stunned by his accomplishment, then broke into a giggle that sent a wave of laughter through the room.

  “Your first steps!” Esther cried, rushing over to scoop Jakob up in her arms and smother his face with kisses. “Oh, Schatzi, wait till Papa hears.”

  Sunny ached with joy and longing. She nestled her head into Franz’s neck. “I don’t care where I am next year as long as I am with my family. And perhaps . . .”

  A smile lit up her husband’s face as he brushed his lips over hers. “Perhaps a playmate for Jakob?”

  Acknowledgements

  As usual, I have more people to thank than space available to name them all, but I’m compelled to single out a few.

  As rewarding as I find the process, the challenges of writing a novel—particularly one where I feel such an obligation to be historically accurate—can be mightily intimidating. I wouldn’t even have attempted the feat without the uncomplaining support of my friends and family, in particular my wife, Cheryl, my mother, Judy, and my daughters, Chelsea and Ashley.

  Of course, I need more than just moral support. As with all my previous novels, I relied heavily on the insights and input of Kit Schindell, a wonderfully skilled freelance editor. I am also grateful to my agents, Henry Morrison and Danny Baror, for their wisdom and guidance.

  I am delighted to continue my relationship with the team at HarperCollins. It’s a pleasure to collaborate with consummate professionals like Leo MacDonald, Iris Tupholme, Julia Barrett, Allegra Robinson and Cory Beatty. And I cannot express gratitude enough to my terrific editor, Lorissa Sengara, who guided me through the entire process, from glimmer of an idea to final polished draft, bettering the product each step of the way.

  Finally, I have to acknowledge the people who lived and died in Shanghai during the Second World War. 1943 was a year of hardship and sorrow for most of the city’s residents, particularly the Chinese, the Shanghailanders and the Jewish refugees. Yet, the resilience, bravery and selfness so many of them demonstrated is inspiring. I hope this novel conveys a sense of my deep admiration for them.

  About the Author

  DANIEL KALLA is the internationally bestselling author of Pandemic, Resistance, Rage Therapy, Blood Lies, Cold Plague, Of Flesh and Blood and The Far Side of the Sky. His novels have been translated into ten languages. He practises emergency medicine in Vancouver, B.C., where he lives with his family.

  WEB: http://www.danielkalla.com

  FACEBOOK: Daniel Kalla, Author

  TWITTER: @DanielKalla.

  Copyright

  Rising Sun, Falling Shadow

  Copyright © 2013 by Daniel Kalla.

  All rights reserved.

  Published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

  First Edition

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