Dangerous Temptations(54)
She wrinkled her nose and laughed. She shifted her legs to the other side and grabbed Lauren out of her bassinet. She re-wrapped the blanket, swaddling her and tucking her into the nook of her arm. She was such a natural. Right from the start when we brought Colton home, she just knew what to do. She had been so nervous and anxious throughout her whole pregnancy, worried she wouldn't have any motherly instincts. But she worried for nothing because watching her with him, and now Lauren, was simply breathtaking.
"I love you," I said, looking at both of my girls. "I love how you love so easily. So natural."
She smiled up at me as she softly rubbed a finger against Lauren's tiny cheek. "I love you, too. Thank you for giving me a beautiful family."
I leaned in and brushed my lips against her, slowly and gently, keeping them there as I said, "Thank you for letting me."
And they lived happily ever after …
About the Author
Brooke Cumberland is a USA Today Bestselling author who's a stay-at-home mom and writes full-time. She lives in the frozen tundra of Packer Nation with her husband, 4-year-old wild child, and two teenage stepsons. When she's not writing, you can find her reading love stories, listening to music that inspires her, and laughing with her family. Brooke is addicted to Starbucks coffee, leggings, and anything sweet. She found her passion for telling stories during winter break one year in grad school--and she hasn't stopped since.
Connect with Brooke:
www.brookecumberland.com
Facebook.com/brookecumberlandauthor
Twitter @blcumberland
Instagram.com/AuthorBCumberland
Pinterest.com/bcumberland8
Other books by Brooke Cumberland
The Intern Serials
Volume One
Volume Two
Volume Three
After the Internship: A Novella
Or grab the complete box set
The Spark Series
Spark, #1
Burn, #2
Flame (Companion novel)
Or grab the complete box set
The Riverside Trilogy
Kitchen Affairs, #1
Kitchen Scandals, #2
Kitchen Promises, #3
Or grab the complete box set
Acknowledgements
This was one very long process from start to finish. This book took me almost six months, which to-date is the longest span it's taken me to complete a book. Not to mention, it's also my first true stand-alone so the pressure to give complete closure in one book was hard for me.
This book pushed me in many ways. I struggled with the plot line, how readers would respond to it, if the characters were developing correctly. I contemplated if I could even finish it.
Telling a story and making it come to life on paper is hardly a one-person job. In fact, it's much like raising kids-takes a village. There's no doubt in my mind I had an incredible team behind me in making this story become a reality.
First, my family. Thank you for never questioning why dinner wasn't made, why we were ordering in or getting takeout again, why laundry was always in piles unfolded, or why the house hadn't been cleaned in weeks. Thank you for understanding that writing is more than just a ‘hobby' but rather a passion in my life that keeps me going. I owe my parents some huge credit for picking up the slack and knowing when I need a break by taking the kids or helping me with errands and cleaning. I feel so blessed to have a very strong support system! And of course, my husband. Thank you for always telling me how proud of me you are, for reminding me how much you love me when I've been up for eighteen hours straight and a complete crazed lunatic, and understanding why I work so much. I love you!
To three of the closest author friends I've been fortunate enough to find: Staci, Katie, & Whitney. Thanks for putting up with my crazy, my stressed out mental state (only before deadlines though), and for making me laugh on a daily basis. Thank you for breaking up my stress-induced comas with awkward Tumblr pics and hilarious memes. Thank you for holding my hand through this long process and always encouraging me to keep going. Thank you for reading on demand and helping me at all hours of the day. I've been lucky to find introverts just like myself who understand my awkwardness (or at least pretend to). Thank you each for being my rock. For keeping me grounded. For encouraging and reminding me that I can do this. Thank you for challenging and pushing me to be better. This book would be a bunch of jumbled words without your support.
I owe a ginormous thanks to my personal assistant/friend, Miranda Sue Johnson. You're so much more than my PA. I can't even express how thankful I am for you each and every day. You definitely have helped me so much these past few months. Thank you for always being there, reading and ripping my words apart, pushing and challenging me to do better, and making my life a tad less crazy. Thank you for just ‘knowing' things and always being able to do them for me. I don't know how I went the first eighteen months without you, but now that I have you, I don't plan to let you go. And thank you for being my right-hand woman while writing Alex and Mac's story. Thanks for listening to my ramblings, ideas, panic outbursts, and freak out moments. Thank you for brainstorming with me and being readily available to re-read anytime I needed you to. I love you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thank you to my beta team and all the members of the Brooke Cumberland & Crew! Thanks for always being so enthusiastic about helping me out and reading my books!
I'm a huge believer in being loyal to the ones that have helped me along the way. Thank you to the bloggers that I've been fortunate to meet along the way, thank you for sticking by my side and for your support, and for sharing my sales and new releases. Thank you for supporting Indies like me.
Thank you to my editor, Rogena, for always working with my high demands and short deadlines. Thank you for being a constant in our loyal and professional relationship. I'm so glad to have you on my team!
When I started writing Dangerous Temptations, I had a cover idea in my mind that I was sure I wanted for Mac and Alex's story. After I met Lauren from Perrywinkle Photography, I decided to go with a custom shoot. Once we picked the models and the date, I flew out to Salt Lake City so I could be present for the shoot. What I had in mind and what Lauren created are so different! Turns out, the image in my mind didn't even compare to what Lauren and the models, Chase and Whitney, were able to create.
So a huge thank you to Lauren, Chase, and Whitney for giving me the most beautiful cover picture I could've asked for! For two people who just met that day, you gave the camera the chemistry and hotness level Mac and Alex deserved.
Speaking of hotness, I need to thank Sommer Stein of Perfect Pear Creative Covers for putting up with me as we designed DT's cover. You created the most gorgeous cover I could've asked for. Thank you for being much more than just my designer!
To my wonderful PR team, Christine Stanley, at The Hype PR who is a truly miracle worker. Thank you for all you do and for being a part of my team. I love you!
Bloggers, readers, author peers-this is an amazing community! Thank you for loving books, sharing about them, and networking together. This is an incredible journey, and I love that I have found some great people along the way! To the bloggers who read an ARC on short notice, thank you for squeezing Mac & Alex's story in! And for all the bloggers who share their love for reading.
And to anyone I may have happened to miss, know that your support doesn't go unnoticed!
Thank you for all!
Much love,