Текст книги "Black Number Four"

Автор книги: Kandi Steiner

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Текущая страница: 23 (всего у книги 23 страниц)

First and foremost, I have to thank my parents for this one.

Dad, you taught me how to play poker at a young age. You also made sure I knew my lucky number and I have interlaced it into my life in every way possible – from sports numbers to betting choices. Thanks for giving me something to believe in. I love you.

Mom, although Dad taught me how to play, you taught me how to play well. I can thank you for all the times I beat the boys and took their money. I can also thank you for my awesome poker face and for a whole list of other life lessons that would probably take an entirely different book to completely detail. I value our friendship more than I could ever say and for all those things I never thanked you for in life – thank you. I love you.

The characters in this book were named after a close group of friends that I met through the book world and they deserve a special shout out – Erin Spencer, Cassie Graham, Ashlei Davison, and Jess Vogel. I can still remember how excited you all were when I pitched the “girls” of this book and showed you that they would be named after you. Although these characters are so different from y’all, they’re also the same in many ways. Poor Erin, you got the crappy end of the stick with this one. But, you know that in real life, you ARE like a Big to me – my mentor, someone I look up to. I mean that. Cassie, my author little, I am so proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished so far. I can’t wait to see you excel even more. Ashlei, you and I have a special bond that I’m not sure I could ever find with anyone else. Thank you for always being there. And J-Love, I love you and your D-Runk calls in the middle of the night. You are hilarious and passionate and amazing. I love you all to death. This one was for you, thank you for helping me make it everything that it is.

To my husband, Ryan – thank you for your incredible support. Not only do you brag about me and pimp out my books, but you always bring me food for #WritingWednesday (and wine, when necessary), listen to me rant about how difficult a scene is, and even wipe my tears when I break down after writing something gut wrenching. You’re amazing and as I’ve said time and time again, you’re the reason I can write romance – because you’re my real life fairy tale. I love you.

Thank you to every single member of my family for all the little things and the big things, too. Your love, support, and friendship mean so much to me. Whether you promoted my book once or a million times, thank you.

Sasha, my best friend, thank you for making this book as important to you as it is to me. You have been through more in the past year than most people have been through in their entire life. I hope this book gave you hope and let you see that you are incredible in every single way. Skyler reminds you of yourself so much because she was inspired by you, and I know that the sun will rise again for you – and this time, it’ll shine even brighter than before. I love you.

This book wouldn’t have been the same without the amazing cover, and I have a few people to thank for that. Austyn Bynon, thank you for dedicating your incredible photography skills to me yet again. I hope I have you for many books in the future, too. Your work is inspiring and I absolutely cannot thank you enough for doing this job (especially all the editing). You are the bomb. Sydney Gray and Etienne Turner, my two amazing models, thank you for hitting the gym (hard), eating right, and being amazing. You MADE this cover. Your chemistry at the shoot was unreal and not only did you give me an amazing cover, but you gave me great teaser pictures, as well. But, your bodies and awesomeness aside, I love both of you for so many reasons. Thank you for our group chats and memories – both those of the past and those still yet to be made. I love you.

To my beta readers: Kellee Fabre, Patricia Leibowitz, Monique Boone, Maegan Abel, Danielle Lagasse, Ashlei Davison, Erin Spencer, Cassie Graham, Jess Vogel, Kristen Novo, Tisha Carter, Sara Butler, and Sanne Heremans – thank you. Thank you x 1,000. I can’t possibly thank you enough for reading and giving feedback along the way (and not killing me when I left you at the worst possible parts). You all have critical eyes, but the biggest hearts, and it’s that combination that makes you the best beta team ever. And I am 100% confident that I’m the only one who can truthfully claim that. A special shout out goes to Kellee, Monique, and Trish – you all really took the time to detail out every single emotion you went through while reading and you also helped me fix a lot of the book that needed tweaking. You were never afraid to tell me when something wasn’t working, and I love you for it. Thank you, team. You da best.

Same goes for my amazing editor, Betsy Kash. Thank you for editing my book without telling me I need to change it to fit some stereotype. This is the third book you’ve done for me now and I hope I have you forever. Your little notes make my day and I’m truly so happy to have you on my team. Thank you.

I never in a million years would have ever imagined that I would have a street team. A street team of AMAZING people who love and support my writing like it’s their job. #KandisChasers, you are what keeps me going. Your daily love, messages, posts, and pimping make me smile – and they make me continue writing, too. If no one else in the world reads this book but you do, that will be enough for me. I am forever grateful for your dedication to my work. Please know I couldn’t do this without you.

To you, yes you – the one reading this book (and because you’re awesome, you also read the acknowledgments). Thank you for reading an indie book. Please know I still read every single review you write, every message you send, and every comment on my Facebook page. I love you and I love to connect with you, too. So come find me on social media or my website, if you haven’t already. We can hang out and talk books, boys, and life in general. XO

For all the people who told me I would never amount to anything, thanks for lighting the fuel under my fire and pushing me to prove you wrong. Knowing you’re out there waiting for me to fail just makes me work that much harder.

And most of all, thank you God for blessing me with a writer’s heart and a dreamer’s soul. I am insanely blessed and I don’t thank you enough for everything you’ve given me in this beautiful life. My talent and perseverance is all because you love me.

Kandi Steiner is a Creative Writing and Advertising/Public Relations graduate from the University of Central Florida living in Tampa with her husband, Ryan Steiner. Kandi works full time as a social media specialist, but also works part time as a Zumba fitness instructor and blackjack dealer.

When Kandi isn't working or writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys beach days, movie marathons, live music, craft beer and sweet wine – not necessarily in that order.

Connect with Kandi:

www.KandiSteiner.com

www.facebook.com/KandiSteiner

www.twitter.com/KandiSteiner

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