“Oh, in case ya haven’t figured it out . . . this party isn’t about the club. It’s our engagement party . . . we had to make it count for somethin’ in case ya said no.”
I picked her up in my arms and wrapped her legs around me. It took most of our lives to get to that moment when she said yes, but part of me knew it the second I saw the freckles sprinkled across the cute little nose. I wasn’t meant to be a priest. She wasn’t meant to be a nun. We’d been thrown out just so we could find each other.
Dedication
Psychotika—what can I say? If you didn’t put up with me and all the songs (and even start looping some of them in your own head . . . and humming lol) I don’t know what I’d do (other than suffocate you in your sleep, ‘cause, ya know—music!) Seriously, though! You’ve helped me in more ways than I can really give you credit for and I’m grateful AF for you! Thank you for helping me untangle the words from the music and my brain (and everystuff.) Just everystuff!
Proofed Positively—you haven’t even gotten your peepers on this one yet, but I already know you’ll be proud. Thank you for always pushing me to do better and to keep on doing it. You are the reason I can do what I do! Psst! You did it again!
Candi Fox! Girl! Just girrrrl! You came into my life with a bang and I look forward to a future collaboration with you. You’ve got some interesting and crazy ideas that make me want more! This should be fun! Thank you for making me buy this cover picture from James Critchley that day.
My Awesome Alphas—omg y’all! Ginger, you and I were on the same page with Crucifix from the get go in Rotten Apple. I wanted to make you happy and am so glad (and relieved) I did! Thank you for being there to help me decide on covers (and then again lol.) Tough Cookie and Alli Kat—y’all bring such different reactions to stuff and I love getting both of your opinions/feelings on everything. You’ve never let me down in all the years you’ve been reading me. I toss it out there and y’all get exactly where my head and heart are going with it. You let me know if I veer off too far or need to lean into that curve a little more. Katherine—your enthusiasm when you feel is nearly tangible! I love it! Also, thank you so much for that song! Mimi—your words always grab my attention after you’ve read. Your take away of things is always spot on with what I’m trying to do (except getting mad at Colt that time lol) and since English isn’t your first language it makes me feel even better to know I translate into your heart and mind. Y’all are so special to me!
The Malevolent Maidens—thank y’all for giving me the ideas of how to tweak things.
Viking Will—you are the bang that came into my life because of Candi Fox. There I was, scrolling along minding my own business when I got tagged on this post of James Critchley’s by Candi. I didn’t know who you were—yet—but knew for damn sure I wanted you on my cover. I knew you needed to be a character who was important to me. Crucifix is very important. You are an absolute blessing and I’m beyond grateful to have you grace the cover of this book. Thank you for being such an amazing human being aside from just an incredible picture on a cover (you’re my first book published with an actual model on it.) Also, thank you for some kick ass musical inspiration to add in (Crimson Glory, Iced Earth, and Damnation Angels were total perfection!) Then, of course—the shower scene!! Just HOLY HELL! LOL and now the latex nun (can’t wait to see that!), burning cows, and hillbillies with pitch forks (oh, and I’ve decided I want some slime green sheep—just FYI get the food coloring ready!) You just totally rock! I look forward to having you on more covers (because you can be so many characters) and then the whole kidnapping you to High Octane in Florida for 2022 (we’ll make sure to have grits and “non-toxic-green sheep” key-lime cheesecake!)
Playlist
Black Label Society -Angel of Mercy
Black Label Society -Lost Prayer
Black Label Society -Sold My Soul
Black Label Society -Suicide Messiah
Chase Holfelder- Every Breath You Take
Crimson Glory-Lonely
Crimson Glory-Red Sharks
Damnation Angels- the Longest Day of My Life
Dio-Holy Diver
Dio- Last in Line
Dio -Don't Talk to Strangers
Garbage- #1 Crush
Halestorm -Innocence
Kidneythieves -Crazy
Kid Rock -Blue Jeans and a Rosary
KISS -The Oath
Lost Boys Soundtrack and Marilyn Manson version -Cry Little Sister
Motley Crue- Like a Virgin
Motorhead -God Was Never on Your Side
Motorhead -Sympathy For the Devil
Ozzy Osbourne -The Ultimate Sin
The Pistol Annies- I Feel a Sin Coming On
The Pistol Annies -Hell on Heels Foreigner Tooth and Nail
Pucifer -Rev 22:20
Queensryche-The Lady Wore Black
Queensryche-Spreading the Disease
Queensryche-Sweet Sister Mary
Queensryche-Walk in the Shadows
SIXX A.M. -This is Gonna Hurt
Shinedown-How Did You Love
Soundgarden Fell on Black Days
Soundgarden-Jesus Christ Pose
Three days Grace-So What
Type O Negative -Christian Woman/ Jesus Christ Looks Like Me
W.A.S.P. -Breathe
W.A.S.P. -Come Back to Black
W.A.S.P. -Sister Sadie (and the Black Habits)
W.A.S.P. -Sleeping in the Fire