Acknowledgments
I’ve never closed a series before, so writing these acknowledgments feels both surreal and daunting. It’s crazy to think that I wrote Seducing Cinderella five years ago, and even crazier when I think about the huge success that came with it when readers discovered Reid Andrews. Now, my beloved Fighting for Love series with my MMA fighters has come to a close, and I’ll admit it felt like I was saying good-bye to my friends as I wrote the epilogue. I even cried, which—call me odd—I’ve never done while writing before. I’ve teared up a little, gotten a tad verklempt, but never truly had a good cry while trying to keep my fingers going on the keyboard. This series will always hold a special place in my heart, and I have so many people I need to thank, so please bear with me. (If I’ve forgotten to mention you, please forgive me. If you’ve helped me in any way, my heart remembers you, even if my misfiring brain does not.)
First, to Liz Pelletier, who was the first person in this industry to truly take a chance on me and who taught me how to write category romance when I asked her, “What the hell’s a trope?” She is the reason Seducing Cinderella exists and the reason Reid Andrews made his way into so many of your hearts. I will forever be grateful to her for that.
To my long-standing members of the who have been with me since before I was even published, especially my officers—Pat Fordyce (the Godmother), Laura Hampton (the Seeker), Aimee Pachorek (the Steel Wheel), Andrea Gregory (Denaro), and Angie Hocking (the Flame). The Mob is where I become friends with my readers; where I get to have fun, let my hair down, and leave the torture device known as a bra at home. They are my biggest supporters and my favorite people.
To my hero inspirations who have helped me shape Reid, Jax, Irish, and Xander—Parker Hurley, Marco Dapper, Adam von Rothfelder, and Jase Dean—and were amazingly accommodating when I asked for cover shoots and book trailers and signing appearances and so much more. (Except Marco, who was gracious whenever readers fangirled over him being Jax—I’m lookin’ at you, Aimee Pachorek—even though he was too busy with being on a soap opera and in movies to actually be Jax for me. He’s still a sweetheart and will always be Jax, even if Parker is on the cover of his book, too.)
To Josh Williams, Ross Zentner, and Scott Hoover who took amazing photos of my cover models, and to Becca Manuel who shot awesome footage and made me a couple of beautiful book trailers. Thank you for helping the images in my mind come to life.
To everyone at Entangled Publishing who as ever worked on my covers, edits, publicity, getting books into feeds, and all the other myriad of things that go into publishing a book that I blessedly know nothing about, I appreciate all of your hard work.
To Liz Pelletier, again, for being an amazing editor and helping my books reach their potential and beyond. We’ve always made a great team, and we always will, no matter what’s thrown at us.
Also to Heather Howland for stepping in at the last minute when things got crazy-pants. This book would not be half as good without your insight and suggestions. Thank you for not sleeping for four days in order to hit this deadline with me. You. Are. Awesome.
To my sister, Tricia DiPrizio, for being the absolute best sister a girl could ever hope for; for feeding me, cheering me on, giving me a quiet place to work when I need it, and for bringing me the chocolate and 5-Hour Energy Shots I needed to finish this book. Also, for giving me my nephew, Matteo, who is the light of my life right now. The daily pictures and videos you send me on the days I don’t get to babysit him always make me laugh. He’s the best stress reliever ever. Thank you for having him for me and dealing with the sleepless nights and poopy diapers so I can focus on the fun auntie stuff.
To UFC champion, Rich Franklin, whom I met in Las Vegas (thanks to Parker Hurley) and was so sweet to offer to help with any questions I had about the UFC and MMA. He graciously answered every question and never once griped about “that crazy author chick who keeps emailing.” You were an inspiration to me before I met you, Rich, and my opinion of you only skyrocketed after.
Another special and heartfelt thank you to my friend, Parker Hurley. Once upon a time I saw a picture of a hot guy in a pair of white shorts with his hands wrapped like a fighter, and that picture is what gave life to the idea of an MMA fighter as a hero. I began following that man on every social media platform he inhabited, and as I wrote the story about Reid Andrews, my hero took on more and more of the man’s personality and his idiosyncrasies, despite me trying to write him differently. Eventually, I gave in, and wrote him as he demanded—just like you. You are who more than 300,000 readers have fallen in love with in the last five years, and who they’ll continue to fall in love with for years to come. Thank you for absolutely everything: for being my cover model, attending signings, making my daughter’s 13th birthday the most memorable of her life, and remaining my friend over the years. Also, and maybe more importantly, thank you for being the man you are; the kind that young men can look up to and aspire to be like. If every boy grew up to be a #HumanHero like you, this world would be a much better place.
And most of all, thank you to my husband and my children. It’s not easy (read: damn near impossible) to live with an author, but their tolerance and support have allowed me to follow my dream and bring my stories to people all over the world. That gift is the most precious thing they could ever give me. So, to my amazing husband Brian, and my beautiful teenagers, Alyssa and Austin: thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I love you unconditionally and eternally.
About the Author
is a full-time writer, wife, and mother living in the upper Midwest, despite her scathing hatred of snow and cold weather. An avid romance novel addict, she began writing as an alternate way of enjoying the romance stories she loves to read. Her debut novel, Seducing Cinderella, hit both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists in less than four weeks, and she’s been living her newfound dream ever since.
When she’s not reading or writing steamy romance novels, she spends her time losing at Scrabble (and every other game) to her high school sweetheart, doing her best to hang out with their teenagers before they fly the coop, and dreaming about her move to sunny Florida once they do.
Visit and chat with Gina on all her social media homes: