So, let them ridicule me for the truth, and I’ll gladly wave the white flag and declare that I know with certainty that my heart is in exactly the right place—with you.
Forever,
Katy
According to The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans make up one-third of the nation’s homeless population. They estimate 200,000 to be on the streets and in shelters on any given night. Approximately twenty take their lives every day.
If you or someone you know is a veteran struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help.
Veterans Crisis Line
www.veteranscrisisline.net
1-800-273-8255
Learn how you can help support your veterans through The Wounded Warrior Project.
“Every warrior has a next mission. We know that the transition to civilian life is a journey. And for every warrior, family member, and caregiver, that journey looks different. We are here for their first step, and each step that follows. Because we believe that every warrior should have a positive future to look forward to. There’s always another goal to achieve, another mission to discover. We are their partner in that mission.” -The Wounded Warrior Project
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Acknowledgments
Heather M Orgeron
Thank you to my husband, Adam, and to my children for suffering through my absence for the sake of my dream. You are my greatest supporters, my biggest cheerleaders. I am nothing without you. I love you more than life.
Kate Stewart, my partner in crime and long-time friend, you believed in the idea of this story from day one. You believed in me. From the moment I called you hyperventilating and squealing, you were wholly invested in this book. As time went on, I realized that not only did I need your passion to keep going, but Briggs, Katy, Gavin, and Noah needed it as well. I will forever be grateful to you for agreeing to pen their story with me. At a time when I felt lost and like I had nothing more to give, you gave them your all. There isn’t another person I’d have entrusted with my words or their journey. Together we made magic, and whether ten, or a hundred, or ten thousand people read this book, I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished. I love you so very much. I know I promised you a dedication, but you’ll just have to settle for your name on the cover.
To my alphas (It’s high time I give you two a bigger title) Nicole and Dani. I’m running out of ways to say I love you and thank you. Five books later and you’re still here, willingly, counseling me, plotting with me, and encouraging me. You shared in every high and all the lows throughout this process. You believe in me when I don’t. You push me when I want to quit. You are so much more than a part of my team. You’re a piece of my heart. I love you both beyond words. Thank you.
Lo and LK, I don’t know how I did this authoring thing before you. Thank you so much for always being here to encourage me, to guide me, and to hold me up when my world is crashing down. You are so vital to my process, but more importantly to my life. I love you both to pieces.
My beta readers, Nicole, Dani, Sara, Michael, Lo, LK, Maria, and, Franci. Your feedback, as always, was invaluable. Thank you for lending your time and expertise to help us make this novel the best it could possibly be.
Thank you to my brother in law, Michael for entertaining a couple of crazy writers. Your first-hand knowledge was key to giving this book the authenticity we strived for.
Thank you to our editors, Kiezha and Christine, for making our words pretty.
Thank you, Donna, for your attention to detail and for giving our book a final polish.
David Wagner, you brought my vision to life with this cover image. From casting the model, to involving me in the shoot, you made this experience which could have been insanely stressful, fun and exciting. Here’s to many more. Thank you.
David John Craig, thank you for answering that casting call and for capturing every bit of the emotion requested so perfectly. Thank you for being the face of Briggs—the face of Heartbreak Warfare.
To my reader group, Heather’s Hunnies. I’m so thankful for each and every one of you.
Thank you to Kate’s betas and proofers. I don’t want to even attempt to name you all, because I am sure to miss someone. I’ll let her handle that part, but please know that I’m so grateful.
Thank you, readers and bloggers, for taking a chance on a book that means the world to us. We know Heartbreak Warfare isn’t an easy read, and as I’m sure you can imagine, it wasn’t easy to write. The emotional turmoil we suffered in the penning of this story will have these characters etched on our souls for eternity, and we hope they’ve left a lasting impact on yours as well.
Kate Stewart
To every reader and blogger who took a chance on this book. Your support means so much to us, with grateful hearts we thank you for giving our words purpose and more meaning. This outstanding community is nothing other than remarkable, and I’m so grateful you let me be a part of it
As I emerge from this writing coma completely in love with the American soldier there is only one hand I want to reach for, and it’s yours, Heather Orgeron. In all my days of writing, I’ve never been so immersed in a book, in its characters, and I have you to thank. It’s unbelievable how this finished story came to be. As your imagination went wild, mine did too. I’m so glad you asked me to look it over, then managed to have the strength and patience to deal with my creative crazy and let me take some liberties NO ONE else would have ever had the patience for. In the end, I can say I’ve never been prouder of a book because of the ways it brought us together and how this one will stay with me, forever. Thank you for sharing this with me, I’m forever grateful.
Donna Cooksley Sanderson - you are a godsend. Not only are you the best of friends but you helped me live through the process of writing one of the most difficult books I’ve ever helped to pen. I love you. Thank you for pulling me from the sand when it was over and dusting me off.
Thank you to my amazing betas - Bex Kettner, Ella Fields, Rachael Robinson, MJ Fields, Stacy Hahn, Leigh Shen, Maria Black, Marissa D‘Onofrio, Christy Baldwin, Angela Scott, Alta Scott, Jessie Soto, Patty Tennyson, Kathy Sheffler, Malene Dich, Dani Fuslier and Maiwenn B. Without you I would have suffered through this alone and I can’t imagine finishing this book without your help. You ladies are outstanding friends and have been an unbelievable aid in finishing this novel.
A million thanks to my PA, Bex Kettner. In case I haven’t made it abundantly clear, I appreciate you every single day, and I’m so happy you’re a part of mine.
Thank you to my kick-ass proofers Bethany Castaneda, Joy Kriebel-Sadowski, Grey Ditto, Marissa D’Onofrio, and Donna Cooksley Sanderson. Your eagle eyes saved our asses, and your reactions as you read have added to some of my favorite moments. XO
Thank you to my dear friends Ella Fields, MJ Fields, Kennedy Ryan, Leigh Shen, and Emma Scott, for being there when shit gets the most hectic. I’m forever grateful I’ve got you, and you damned sure have my back. Just know my shirt is always yours.
Thank you to the ladies of DHI, for being the most amazing and supportive group. I’m so lucky to know every one of you. And this year as our friendships have started to blossom, I’m in awe of you all with profound respect.
Thank you to my dear friends and family for sticking around when I go AWOL. I can’t imagine doing any of this without your support.
Thank you to my amazing husband, Nick, who helplessly watched me cry for endless days wondering if the sky was falling. I can’t imagine trying to face either world, real or fictional, without you.
Thank you to my amazing friend Christine Estevez, for the second look, for the unbelievable support. I can’t imagine this novel without your eyes on it. You really are such a spectacular help and friend.
Thank you to my amazing army of one, Autumn Gantz, my true Jerry McGuire, and one of the people I trust more than most and not because of what you do for me, but because of who you are. You have a lot of heart, and I’m so
happy to know it. You are the ambassador of the Quan!
About The Authors
Heather M. Orgeron
Heather M. Orgeron is a Cajun girl with a big heart and a passion for romance. She married her high school sweetheart two months after graduation and her life has been a fairytale ever since. She’s the queen of her castle, reigning over five sons and one bossy little princess who has made it her mission in life to steal her Momma’s throne. When she’s not writing, you will find her hidden beneath mounds of laundry and piles of dirty dishes or locked in her tower (aka the bathroom) soaking in the tub with a good book. She’s always been an avid reader and has recently discovered a love for cultivating romantic stories of her own.
For more information at Heather
www.heathermorgeron.com
Facebook | Heather’s Hunnies (FB Reader Group) | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter
Other titles available by Heather
Vivenne’s Guilt
Boomerangers
Breakaway
Doppelbanger
Kate Stewart
A Texas native, Kate Stewart lives in North Carolina with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. She pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense because it’s what she loves as a reader. Kate is a lover of all things ‘80s and ’90s, especially John Hughes films and rap. She dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity, and on occasion, does very well at whisky.
Other titles available now by Kate
Room 212
Never Me
Loving the White Liar
The Fall
The Mind
The Heart
The Brave Line
Drive
The Real
Someone Else’s Ocean
Romantic Comedy
Anything but Minor
Major Love
Sweeping the Series
Erotic Suspense
Sexual Awakenings
Excess
Predator and Prey
Let’s stay in touch!
Facebook | Newsletter | Twitter | Instagram | Book Group | Spotify
Sign up for the newsletter now and get a free eBook from Kate’s Library!
Newsletter signup
Heartbreak Warfare Page 34