Andi and Carrick’s story came to me when hearing a song for the first time. You’ve probably figured out which song. If you haven’t heard me talking about it at any given opportunity, then it’s featured heavily in the book—“Dangerous” by David Guetta, featuring Sam Martin. And I know they’ll probably never see this, but I have to say thanks to them both—David Guetta, for his musical genius, and Sam Martin, for his voice. If it weren’t for their musical talents, then Andi and Carrick would never exist to me as they do now.
I want to say a humongous thank you to Trish Brinkley. Trishy, when I came to you, bursting with this story and rambling like a lunatic, you burst into it right along with me. You’ve lived this story with me for the last few months, championing it and me. From the daily word counts to lending me your ear when I was having a meltdown or when I needed to run something by you or ask a random question or show you another paragraph or blurb, you were always there. Thank you for all of that and for loving Andi and Carrick as much as I do. You’re the best friend a girl could ask for. I adore you.
And Shawn Brinkley, I owe you an honorary mention! Thank you for Mut! And for every other suggestion you send my way!
My gorgeous Sali Benbow-Powers—I literally threw this book at you with next to no time in which to do it, but as always, you jumped right into it with no word of complaint. I heart you. Your advice is invaluable to me, and you’re always bloody right. I hate that! And I will get to Australia one of these days, so I can squeeze you in real life!
Christine Estevez, what would I do without you? You make my life a million times easier. Honestly, I’d be screwed without you! Thank you for fixing all the things I don’t have the time to fix.
Surjit Harvey, that book…I will treasure it forever. You have no idea how much receiving it has turned things around for me. I truly treasure your friendship and our posh coffee chats!
Jovana Shirley, editor extraordinaire! Seriously, you take my words and weave them into magic, and no one can format quite like you can. Thank you for always doing an amazing job!
Najla Qamber, cover designer wonder woman! You literally took the image from out of my head and made it real. Thank you for that!
Lauren Abramo, my agent—We haven’t been working together long, but in the short time we have, you have guided me and given me valuable advice. When I came to you with this book, telling you the route I wanted to take with it, you supported me one hundred percent. I can’t thank you enough for that.
And finally my biggest thank you goes to you. Yes, you, the one reading this. Reader, blogger, reviewer—you’ve changed my life in a way I never thought imaginable. Thank you for taking a chance on me. Thank you for sticking with me and for supporting me. There aren’t enough words in the world to describe how much it means to me.
SAMANTHA TOWLE is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She began her first novel in 2008 while on maternity leave. She completed the manuscript five months later and hasn’t stopped writing since.
She is the author of contemporary romances The Mighty Storm, Wethering the Storm, Taming the Storm, and Trouble. She has also written paranormal romances The Bringer and The Alexandra Jones Series. All her novels are penned to tunes of The Killers, Kings of Leon, Adele, The Doors, Oasis, Fleetwood Mac, Lana Del Rey, and more of her favorite musicians.
A native of Hull and a graduate of Salford University, she lives with her husband, Craig, in East Yorkshire with their son and daughter.