All Who Dream (Letting Go)

by Deese, Nicole

  As Cody sang his sister a song in the backseat and Briggs and Jackson laughed in the front, a thankful tear escaped as I reflected on a poem I’d written nearly a decade ago.

  All Who Dream

  There’s a time and place for dreaming

  A melody within life’s meaning

  You search and seek and pray and pine

  Yet in the end its hope you’ll find

  Some days are bleak while others bare

  Some feel rooted in deep despair

  But don’t lose faith and don’t lose sight

  For dreams will come to those who fight

  If chance is slim and risk is great

  Remember the reward at stake

  The test is found in how you fail

  For joy itself cannot turn stale

  This truth and hope act as a team

  They light a path for all who dream

  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope…”

  Romans 15:13

  Author’s Note:

  As I reflect on the Letting Go series as a whole, my heart is filled with so many emotions. I have loved these characters like friends, laughing with them, crying with them, and at times even learning from them. Though it’s difficult to say goodbye, I am overwhelmed with gratefulness for you, my readers.

  I am not the same woman I was in January of 2013 when I self-published my debut novel, All for Anna. My dream was to write a love story that was dipped in the raw truths of recovery; the ups and downs, the hurts and heartaches, and the hope that comes when we look beyond ourselves. Never in my wildest imagination did I envision how All for Anna would so radically change my life.

  Writing is my passion, but the beauty of love’s transforming power is what stirs my soul.

  Thank you for taking a chance on me. Thank you for sharing this series with your friends, and thank you for your emails, messages, and posts of support and encouragement. Without the inspiration of my faithful readers, my stories would have never come to life.

  So, from the deepest corners of my heart, thank you.

  More From Nicole Deese

  All For Anna – Letting Go – Book One:

  http://www.amazon.com/All-For-Anna-ebook/dp/B00B4XI0SG

  All She Wanted – Letting Go – Book Two:

  http://www.amazon.com/All-She-Wanted-Letting-ebook/dp/B00D2IBTCK

  Website:

  http://www.nicoledeese.com

  Facebook:

  https://www.facebook.com/nicoledeeseauthor

  This author is represented by Jessica Kirkland of the Blythe Daniel Agency.

  All media requests should be directed to: http://www.theblythedanielagency.com

  Acknowledgements

  These are the major ingredients that make up the recipe of an author. Each of you are vital to my writing, to my voice, and to my passion. Thank you is simply not enough.

  God, you are my hope.

  Husband, Tim Deese, you are my heart.

  Family, you are my anchor.

  Friends, you are my sanity.

  Agent, Jessica Kirkland, you are my encouragement.

  Beta readers, you are my support.

  Editors, Julie Gwinn and Jill Elizabeth Nelson, you are my rescue.

  Cover artist, Sarah Hansen @ Okay Creations, you are my vision.

  Readers, you are my inspiration.

  Special Thanks

  Jessica Kirkland, Literary Agent at the Blythe Daniel Agency: I could write a book on the phraseology of Jessica Kirkland. Between your southern “might cans, might shoulds, might coulds” and lovely encouragements to “beef-up the romance, Nicole!”—not to mention your flowery revision comments (ahem...cough, cough)—your knowledge of what makes fiction great, is truly exceptional. It’s borderline superhuman, actually. You are so much more than my agent, Jess. I count you as one of my greatest blessings. I’m so grateful for our divine appointment last fall, and for the friendship we have since established. Thank you for taking a chance on me, and thank you for believing in my voice. I love you.

  Julie Gwinn, Editor: Thank you for your thoughtful insights, critiques, and suggestions. I value every comment and track change, and I feel so blessed to have worked with you on this manuscript. I hope we can have a cup of coffee together at next year’s conference (and maybe a plate full of chocolate, too) so we can discuss our love of romance and literature. <3 I heart you, Julie! <3

  Jill Elizabeth Nelson, Editor: When I entered the silent auction last fall, I never could have guessed that the editorial package I won would include an author, mentor, editor and friend. Your skillful eye for detail has made me a better writer. You have taught me SO MUCH! (And yes, those caps are just for you! Hahaha!) Truly, I am so blessed to know you, Jill. Thank you the hours you poured into me, and into this novel.

  Beta Readers: Amy Matayo, Aimee Thomas, Ashley Thomas, Kim Southwick, Renee Deese, Nicki Davis, Kacy Koffa, Rebekah Zollman, Bethany Deese, Britni Nash, Jenny Knudsen, Kim Crank, Jessica Kirkland, Desi Brown, Lara Brahms, Kristin Avila. Thank your for your hours of devotion and loyalty to these characters. I love each of you!

  About The Author

  Nicole Deese is a lover of fiction. When she’s not writing (or listening to the voices in her head), she can be found curled up on the sofa, reading. She often fantasizes about reading escapes, which look a lot like kid-free, laundry-free, and cooking-free vacations. A girl can dream, right?

  Her debut novel, a contemporary romance, All for Anna, was released in January 2013 and has hit multiple milestones, including a 4.6 star rating on Amazon and over 150,000 downloads on Kindle. She has since completed the Letting Go series, and a Christmas novella, A Cliché Christmas, which will be released in November 2014.

  Nicole lives in Frisco, Texas with her hunk-of-a-husband Tim, and two rowdy boys, Preston and Lincoln.