Claiming Serenity(94)
It was a sudden thought that came to her, a realization that struck her silent and Layla could only smile, close her eyes against the sensation of joy that felt all encompassing. Donovan had been hers for years. He’d said it with his attentions, with the hidden drive that urged him to focus on her, even with his harsh treatment, with the anger he wore around himself like a shield. He had been hers. It only took Layla, took Donovan, dropping those masks that blinded them, to realize how much they had always meant to each other. They only needed to look to each other, to claim what had always been theirs.
Sometimes, Layla thought, it takes a perfect mistake to remove the masks we comfortably place over ourselves to keep us from the people we are and the love we pretend we don’t want. Finding that love is one thing, keeping it is another, but Layla knew love had always been hers, just as Donovan had been. Just as she knew he always would be.
I’ve often told my friends, when they ask how I’m able to publish as quickly as I do that it “takes a village” to (self) publish a book. I don’t think that’s ever been truer than it is with Claiming Serenity. Had it not been for the awesome hustle that my street team, betas and incredible editor worked during the editing process, I would have most certainly missed my deadline.
So, first and foremost, thank you, eleventy billion times, to Sharon Browning, the amazing Karen Chapman and my “Sweet” Team and betas: Trish Leger, Judy Lovely, Carla Castro, Naarah Scheffler, LK Westhaver, Lorain Domich, Melanie Brunsch, Michelle Horstman-Thompson, Allyson Lavigne Wilson, Chanpreet Singh, Emily Lamphear, Heather Weston-Confer, Betsy Gehring, Allison Coburn and Sammy Llewellyn. I am the luckiest lady ever because you all support and encourage me every single day.
My deepest appreciation and thanks to Steve Novak for yet another breathtaking cover and to Angela McLaurin for getting this one done under the wire RIGHT before Christmas. You both are amazing.
Ing Cruz, never stop being magical. Never stop being yourself. Thank you for all your support and the maddest marketing skills I have ever seen.
A special, heartfelt hug and ridiculously inappropriate smooch to all the amazing bloggers who always help promote my books, especially Book Drug Love, Love Between the Sheets, Totally Booked, Three Chicks and Their Books, Michelle Monkou of USA Today’s Happily Ever After blog, Confessions of a YA and NA book addict and Smut Book Club. Thank you for taking a chance on me and for always stepping up when I ask for a little help. Nothing sells without bloggers. Absolutely nothing.
To my beloved readers and Facebook, Twitter and GoodReads friends, thank you so much for chatting with me, sending me notes of encouragement and coming out to say hi at signings and cons. I’m so proud to have each of you along for the ride while I navigate this crazy business.
As always, my sweet work buddies Marie, Sherry, Barbra B., Sarah and Kalpana, thank you for squeeing with me when a new cover lands in my Inbox and for sharing the love when something new comes out. I am humbled by your love and support.
Chelle Bliss, Lila Felix, Penelope Douglas and Kele Moon, I can never say thank you enough. I really don’t think there are any words written that would come close to my gratitude to each of you for your friendship. Chelle- thank you for being a Last Minute Bitch with me.
To Laura Agra, Amy Sutorius Harmon, Amanda Lanclos-Author, Amy Berteau, Amy Lynn, Kim Harnes, SJ McGran, Kellie Coakley, Vania Stoyanova, Bev Marshall, Scott Wilbanks and Sarah Leal for the laughs, for the support and the immense inspiration.
To my bints, who know who they are and to my nieces Jennifer Jagneaux, Kayla Jagneaux and Joy Chambers, who read my smoochy books and always make my days so much better. To Juli Wright, my beautiful, intelligent niece—you are my heroine. You inspire me with your love and fierce loyalty. I love you all.
To my girls, Trinity, Faith and Grace and to my Himself, Chris, who always understands and appreciates the hard work that takes me away from them. My cup runneth over because of you.
I hate cancer. It stole my daddy from us. It is a heinous, family-fracturing disease and I pray for each of you who have been impacted by it. I dedicated this book to three women who have both won their battles and are fighting them with class and grace. I encourage each of you to support various cancer charities that work tirelessly to eradicate this disease. And, if you would indulge me, please check out my sweet friend Sabrina’s fund raising effort as she tackles leukemia. Your kind words and financial support is gratefully appreciated.
Sabrina Rome’s AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) Fundraiser: http://bit.ly/16ntmQm