First and Foremost, I have to thank Vi Keeland. I love you lady! Without your guidance, I would still be searching through articles on the web on how to’s. Your insight, knowledge, creativity, and support is irreplaceable in my heart. You’ve taken so much time with me and walked me through so many unknowns, that I would absolutely not be here without you. You’re an amazing author and your advice on edits and content was and will continue to be priceless. I am honored to call you my friend and mentor.
Kim Karr, you’ve been amazing to me. From our first few emails when I was blogging about your book and then your enthusiasm about my story, it was humbling. Thank you so much for letting me use River in my story for a cameo.
Katy Evans, you encouraged me to reach out to this community which led me to some wonderful friendships. I loved Remy from the day Real was published and continue to pimp him now.
Gail McHugh, I appreciate all the messages and advice you gave freely. I’m so proud and excited for your new journey.
Evette Ashby, you were so much more than a beta reader and I appreciate you hanging in there through so many edits, revisions, and changes. Your assistance on my synopsis, biography, and cover decisions helped me push through. There were so many times I was confused and weary and you swooped in with advice from a reader/audience standpoint that guided me to this finished product. Even though you’re a speed reader, THANK GOD for your attention to detail. If anyone ever asked me, I would tell them it is critical to have someone like you on their team.
I received so many reassuring messages from others through Goodreads and Facebook that helped me in my most insecure days. Thanks to you all.
My editors, Heather Sowalla at Windy Hill Editing and Brandy Little at Little Bee’s, your hard work is appreciated beyond belief. Thank you for taking my mess of words and making it flow through to my readers.
The ladies in our New Indies Club, your advice and continuous knowledge helped me more than you know. I appreciate your words of wisdom!
To my Beauty Beta’s, thank you doesn’t seem like enough. You let me into your reading world without a clue to who I was. Evette, Amber, Vanna, Sally, and Marcia, I am lucky to have found you! I’m not ready to share but I would recommend your knowledge and opinions to anyone.
Laurynne at CBL Book Reviews, I owe you a dinner girl! You not only supported me but helped me find the first people I trusted to read my MS. I look forward to working together on more projects.
Debra at Book Enthusiast, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your work on my cover reveal. You put me in touch with some amazing bloggers and support groups in the self- publishing community. I have made some wonderful relationships because of your assistance.
And finally, I COULD not have done this without the support of my wonderful husband and daughter. Dan, you are so loved. You have given me such unconditional support throughout this process, I can’t repay you. The late nights, the early mornings, the endless bottles of wine, and the words to help me through my meltdowns. You and AJ are the reason I want to pursue this dream.
And finally, to all the readers, I hope you enjoy this story and fall in love the characters as I have.
THANK YOU!
Please visit me online:
www.facebook.com/ahrensanders
www.goodreads.com/ahrensanders
Meet the Author
Now, meet the real me. I’m a wife, mother, and full-time Human Resource Specialist. Living on the Florida coast, my family spends a lot time at the beach which is my favorite place to get lost in books. I started writing my first novel, Surrendering, in the spring of 2013 and have received incredible support from the Indie community. I’m so excited to share my story and hope you enjoy meeting Raven, Declan and their crazy flock of friends.
Table of Contents
The Day We Met
Chapter 1- House Hunting
Chapter 2- Dinner with the Girls
Chapter 3- Moving Day
Chapter 4- It’s Him
Chapter 5- Good Morning
Chapter 6- Let’s Talk
Chapter 7- Movie Night
Chapter 8- Sparkle
Chapter 9- The Steamroom
Chapter 10- Give Me a Chance
Chapter 11- A Bunch of Firsts
Chapter 12- Let Me Take Care of You
Chapter 13- Tell Me I’m Not Imagining This
Chapter 14- Tell Me What You Want
Chapter 16- Deceive Me
Chapter 17- The Truth
Chapter 18- I’m Not Giving Up
Chapter 19- Girl’s Weekend
Chapter 20- Hoedown Throwdown
Chapter 21- Meet My Mom
Chapter 22- Thank You
Chapter 23- It’s Only You
Chapter 24- The Feeling is Mutual
Chapter 25- 425
Chapter 26- Live in a Bubble
Chapter 27- Rewarded
Chapter 28- Lucky Man
Chapter 29- Thanksgiving
Chapter 30- Birthday Weekend
Chapter 31- Atlanta
Chapter 32- Holidays
Chapter 34- Social Media
Chapter 35- Valentine’s Day
Chapter 36- Gone
Chapter 37- We’re Okay
Chapter 38- Guilt is Killing Me
Chapter 39- Cut Him Some Slack
Chapter 40- Graduation
Chapter 41- Believe in Us
Chapter 42- Leaving
Chapter 43- Surprise
Acknowledgements
Meet the Author