—WALDEN’S STORY—
Fun fact: Walden was real!
This sweet, old pup was our sanctuary foster—which means, when we fostered him, we knew we were going to be his forever home. His health was declining, and he needed a warm, loving place to lay his head during the final few months of his life.
When Walden first came to us, he was in bad shape. His hair was falling out and extremely patchy, he was malnourished and frightened, and he preferred to keep to himself, tucked away in his dog bed in the corner of the house. But as the days turned into weeks and we spent every waking moment loving on this sweet soul, trying to acclimate him, the most amazing transition occurred before our eyes.
His hair started to grow back in. His wobbly walks morphed into happy sprints in the backyard. He followed us around the house and snuggled with us on the couch.
This wilting dog bloomed before our eyes.
We had Walden for a little over one year. Saying goodbye was one of the hardest things we ever had to do, as this pup left a very profound impact on our family. We learned the true power of love, and the physical manifestations that come with it. In Walden’s final hours, his fur was thick and healthy, his eyes were alight and vibrant, and his heart was very full.
When I began outlining this book, I knew that Walden was going to be the perfect companion for Parker.
I’m so happy I was able to immortalize this precious animal with words. His time with us was short-lived, but his spirit is long-lasting.
We miss you, Walden.
—ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS—
Acknowledgements are always the very last thing I write.
And that’s not because they are the least important—it’s because they are the most important, and I never feel like I’ll be able to express my immense gratitude in only a few paragraphs.
But I’m sure as hell going to try.
First, thank you to my husband for giving me the time and space required to mentally retreat and bring this story to life. Writing is emotionally draining, it’s isolating, and it depletes me just as much as it fills me up. The balance between reality and my imaginary world is a difficult one, and I’m very appreciative of the understanding and grace my family provides me. Thank you for the brainstorming, the brilliant ideas, and the unwavering belief that I am meant to do this.
Thank you to my ride-or-die, Chelley Schultz. Seriously, this book would probably be trashed, right along with my sanity, if it weren’t for you and your wisdom, selfless support, and perfectly timed Sesame Street and cheerleading GIFs. I feel like this book was a mutual journey. You were there from the initial plotting, to the very first words, to the massive direction changes, to the final, teary-eyed end. Thank you for believing in my ability to bring these characters to life and stay true to their story. You have a way of turning my doubt into determination, and I’m so happy our paths have crossed. (Even though the Charlies of the world may disagree.)
Thank you to E. R. Whyte for being there every step of the way, for the little love notes and wonderful suggestions, and for being the best editor ever. You were my very first author friend, and I can’t imagine this adventure without you. You inspire me.
Thank you, Vanessa Sheets, for your warmth, light, and positive spirit. You keep me going and smiling. And huge thanks to the rest of my awesome beta readers: Amanda Jesse, Jillian Cunningham, Autumn Black, Amy Waayers, Lyndsey Farrer, Amber Kristyn, and Megan Lick.
Speaking of Megan Lick, this girl gets a big shoutout. You’re my beta-reading bestie, and truly, you were the one to trigger my creative spark with this book and spin the story in a direction I never anticipated. Thank you for going on this adventure with me. Thank you for going on all of life’s adventures with me.
Huge thanks to my cover model, Rhylan Streloff, and photographer, Justin Dube, who brought my cover vision to life so expertly. You have both been a joy to work with, and I’m so grateful that our professional paths have crossed.
Thank you to my incredible fans and friends in my reader’s group and promo team for cheering me on with my writing journey, and with life in general. This community means everything to me. Thank you for the messages, the tags, the comments, and the sweet, encouraging words. Thank you to my early readers for showing your love for this book with shares and reviews. I don’t feel worthy, but I feel ridiculously blessed.
Lastly, all the thanks in the world to my amazing children and family for always pushing me, believing in me, and keeping me inspired. You are my greatest gift.
This was a love story, but it was also a “love your life” story.
And I hope you do.
Every damn day.
—PLAYLIST—
Listen to the playlist HERE
“Displaced” — Azure Ray
“Drown” — Seafret
“Get Hurt” — The Gaslight Anthem
“Afraid” — Sarah Fimm
“Colorblind” — Natalie Walker
“Letter Never Sent” — Young Summer
“Out of This World” — Bush
“Angel of Small Death” — Seafret
“Here Comes the Rain Again” — Hypnogaja
“Not In Love” — Olin and the Moon
“My Skin” — Natalie Merchant
“Weightless” — Black Lab
“The Other Side” — David Gray
“Winter In My Heart” — Vast
“It Is What It Is” — King Henry (Megan Lick)
“Fade Into You” — The Moth & the Flame
“Make This Go On Forever” — Snow Patrol
“Sympathy” — The Goo Goo Dolls
“Cancion De La Noche” — Matthew Perryman Jones
“Quiet Lies” — Matthew Mayfield
“Speechless” — Morning Parade
“Boxes” — The Goo Goo Dolls
“Unchained Melody” — The Righteous Brothers
“See You On the Other Side” — Brian Fallon
—CONNECT—
If you enjoyed this story and would like to chat more about it, check out The Wrong Heart Discussion Group on Facebook!
And feel free to join my reader’s group:
Queen of Harts: Jennifer Hartmann’s Reader Group
Follow me and stuff:
Instagram: @author.jenniferhartmann
Facebook: @jenhartmannauthor
Twitter: @authorjhartmann
No pressure, but my heart explodes when I see a nice review.
Leave your thoughts on Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub!
♡
www.jenniferhartmannauthor.com
—MORE FROM JENNIFER HARTMANN—
THE DUET SERIES — ARIA & CODA
When the lead singer of his rock band starts falling for a pretty waitress, Noah will do whatever it takes to make sure she doesn’t get in the way of their dreams.
But it would be easier if that waitress didn’t accidentally spill her darkest secrets to him one night, triggering a profound connection neither of them saw coming.
CLAWS AND FEATHERS
Small town cop, Cooper, is intrigued by the mysterious new girl who walks into his father’s bar, but the last thing he expects is for her to go missing that same night.
Finding Abby is just the beginning. The only way to truly save her is to unravel her secrets—a task that proves to be more challenging than he could ever anticipate.
STILL BEATING
#1 Amazon Bestseller in three categories!
Curious about The Matchmaker killer Parker referenced in chapter twenty-three?
When Cora leaves her sister’s birthday party, she doesn't expect to wake up in shackles in a madman’s basement.
To make matters worse, her arch nemesis and ultimate thorn in her side, Dean, shares the space in his own set of chains. The two people who always thought they’d end up killing each other must now work together if they want to survive.
LOTUS
To the rest of the world, he was the little boy who went m
issing on the Fourth of July.
To Sydney, he was everything.
Twenty-two years later, he’s back.
This is Oliver Lynch’s story…
This is their story.
DESIRE AFTER DARK ANTHOLOGY
Over twenty of your favorite authors have come together to bring you your next book boyfriend… the hot bad boys you can’t resist, the swoon-worthy heroes that will sweep you off your feet, and all the sexy studs you’ll meet between the pages.
This and more awaits you in the Desire After Dark anthology, a collection that proves boys are better in books and desire really is better after dark.
WHAT WE DESERVE — COMING SOON!
When Evan discovers his wife is having an affair, he’d much rather get even than get over it.
For this scorned, newly-single dad, the plan is simple: seduce the wife of the man who ruined his own marriage.
Fall for her along the way?
Not part of the plan.
—ABOUT THE AUTHOR—
Jennifer Hartmann resides in northern Illinois with her devoted husband, Jake, and three children, Willow, Liam, and Violet. When she is not writing angsty love stories, she is likely thinking about writing them. She enjoys sunsets (because mornings are hard), bike riding, traveling anywhere out of Illinois, binging Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns, and that time of day when coffee gets replaced by wine. Jennifer is a wedding photographer with her husband and a self-love enthusiast. She is excellent at making puns and finding inappropriate humor in mundane situations. She loves tacos. She also really, really wants to pet your dog. Xoxo.
The Wrong Heart Page 37