by C. R. Asay
“Thanks.” I pressed his hand to my lips. “I’ll try to keep the swearing down to a minimum . . . or get Caz to, rather.”
“Caz?”
“Yes, Caz. The DCC Slayer.”
With a sour laugh, I plucked the silver chain from the bed.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
They say it takes a village to raise a child. The same could be said about a novel. Heart of Annihilation would never have made it past the dark, creative recesses of my mind without the host of very fine people in my life encouraging me onward and upward.
My parents, who filled my mind with knowledge and imagination from the day I was born. They gave me unlimited time and love and books. Let’s not forget the books.
My husband and children, who have been the best cheerleading squad a girl could ask for. They’ve packed my life with adventure and joy while patiently allowing me to hide behind my laptop as I pursued my dream of publication.
And who could survive the storms of the publishing industry without the support of a very special group of friends and fellow writers. Thank you, Angie, Kate, Callie, Terra and Meghan for endless reading, editing and discussions that helped grow this book. For patting my sad, little head every time my writing world crashed down around me and for celebrating with me when the sun returned.
Thank you to WiDo Publishing for providing my precious manuscript with the very best chance in the big bad world. And my editor, Amie McCracken, for taking my humble novel past ordinary to extraordinary.
Lastly I’d like to acknowledge my friends and former comrades in the U.S. military, and all the service men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom. You are my heroes.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
C. R. Asay joined the Utah National Guard at the age of seventeen. After spending time in the 625th Military Police Corp she transferred to the 19th Special Forces group as a counterintelligence agent. She retired from the military after marrying her best friend and graduating from college so that she could embark on the most exciting adventure of all; being a mom.
The short story version of her first novel, Heart of Annihilation, earned an honorable mention from the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest. C. R. Asay currently resides in West Jordan, Utah, with her husband, four children, and a dog. There is always a dog.