Acknowledgments
In the entirety of this roller-coaster author life, there are two things that fill me with equal parts joy and terror: the slow, constant blink of the cursor at the start of a new novel…and the bittersweet request from my editor for Acknowledgments. The first symbolizes endless possibilities, countless stories to tell and twists to explore, and the impossible task of choosing one. The second represents all the incredible people who helped a particular story come to life—and the truly scary prospect of accidentally leaving someone out. If I do that now, please know that it is simply my homeschooling mama brain at fault, and that I appreciate each and every person who speaks encouragement, assistance, and love into my life. I’m so very blessed!
This book wouldn’t exist without Cindi Madsen. My author twin talked me through this plot during a long, fun-filled week in Vegas, listening as I went on…and on…and on about character development and talked myself in circles. Sadly, this is nothing new, as she puts up with my overthinking brain via email, text, and phone calls throughout the year, but this time I had her cornered! (He-he.) Cindi, thank you for the gift of your friendship. This journey would not be the same without you!
Rebecca Yarros and Molly E. Lee also talked me through this book that week, listening to me with wide eyes and placating smiles as I kept coming back to my heroine throwing up on the hero’s boots after their first kiss. Every book I write starts with a scene I can’t wait to write, and for whatever reason, that was the scene for this book. Thankfully, they helped me find a fun, believable, and not too gross way to make this happen. Love you girls!
One of the things I’m most proud of in this writing journey is the amazing friendships I’ve made, and Melissa West is someone who has been with me since the very beginning…over six years. Wow. Time flies! Melissa, your talent amazes me. Your heart and humor are a gift. Thank you for always being there to talk about work and life, real-life family and crazy fictional characters. Your suggestions early on made this book so much stronger, and I look forward to many more instances of spoiling “exciting news” in the future! <3
That all-important week in Vegas also had me bugging my super editors, Stacy Abrams and Alycia Tornetta, for their thoughts on my ever-changing plot over many lunches and dinners, and their endless patience and humor was appreciated as always. I don’t know what I did to deserve these incredibly talented women in my corner, but I am ever so grateful. The hilarious and wicked smart Candace Havens gave me fabulous advice, too, over breakfast while we plotted a future book, and I can’t wait to work closer with her on that project in the future. Thank you, ladies, for sharing your brilliance!
Entangled is truly the most amazing, supportive publisher ever, and I’m honored to be a part of the family that the incomparable Liz Pelletier built. Thank you for believing in me, Liz, and for making my dreams come true! Huge shoutout to Heather Ricco, the original ninja; Jessica Turner, marketing genius; and Melanie Smith, my financial goddess who has the patience of a saint and the heart of a teacher. I don’t know what I’d do without you ladies!
Staci Murden, thank you for reading these pages as I wrote them, helping with Max’s adorable lingo, and for giving me your thoughts and encouragement. You kept me going, girl, and I don’t know if I ever would’ve reached The End without your sweetly worded, gentle nudges. One of these days, we are getting together in real life!
Crystal Perkins, thank you for letting me borrow your name, and for all your help and support over the years. Tyler’s book, Accidentally Married on Purpose, wouldn’t be the same without your incredible Vegas advice and suggestions! Thank you for loving the book community and being such a champion for authors.
Cari Quinn, I’m such a fan of yours. Thank you for writing fun, sexy books that inspire me…particularly ones with kickass drummer heroines like Jazz!
I seriously don’t know what I’d do without my agent of awesome, Suzie Townsend. She has been a godsend and a blessing to me these past few years, and it’s an awesome feeling to know that someone is in my corner 100 percent, no matter what. Suzie, you are a true partner and friend, and the future looks so bright with you by my side.
My reader’s group ROCKS. The original Flirt Squad! It was fun giving you girls a shout out via Sherry and Arabella, and I can’t thank you girls enough for the funny suggestions for Hannah’s flirting attempts. You keep me in stitches, and you’re the reason I keep writing. Thank you for loving my books and characters as much as I do, and thank you for your friendship.
Everyone should have a best friend like Kim Rawls. She is funny, smart, crazy talented, and gets my brand of weird. She also cheers me on, encourages me, and graciously allowed me to pick her brain for all things little boy—something this mama to two princesses wasn’t too sure about. Luckily, she gave birth to the most adorable kid ever. Max, buddy, thank you for inspiring me, and for just being you, our sweet little monkey. You crack me up, kid! Andi, thank you for being a great big sister to Max, a loving daughter of my heart, and giving my own girls an incredible friend they can always depend on.
Every hero I write has a piece of my husband, and Deacon is no different. The way Deacon lights up when he looks at his son, the way he pushes himself so hard to be the best father he can be, and the way he protects Hannah so fiercely…that’s all Gregg. Baby, thank you for inspiring me daily, just by being you, and for answering all my random questions. You are the best sounding board in the world. SHMILY!!!
It was so fun writing Max and Lizzie, reliving my own daughters’ younger years. Jordan and Cali, as I write this you are preteens (so hopefully you won’t read this note for quite some time, ha!), but know that Mommy loves you. I cherish every single memory, every laugh, and every discussion we’ve had about books. You are both incredibly talented writers already, and I can’t wait to read your future acknowledgments! I love you most-er than most.
Finally, thank you, fabulous reader. There are so many options out there so that you chose to read my words means everything. I hope I entertained you for a short while. Thank you for every email, every review, every tweet, and post you write. I save them all and pull them back out when I get stuck or need encouragement. Thank you for making my dreams a reality. I’m humbled.