by Ashley Nixon
“I will remind you,” he said, brushing his thumb over her lip. “Once I told you my heart was the only thing I was loyal to as a pirate.” He grasped her hand and pressing her fingers to his lips, whispered, “And after all of this, it has finally chosen you.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CUTLASS is a book I’ve been with for almost nine years. I’ve been writing for ten of those. This book has seen many versions and many edits. What it is now is, I think, exactly what CUTLASS was meant to be. And while I am happy to move on to something else (like the second book in the Trilogy), I am also a little sad.
I have so many people to thank. The first is my Dad and Mom. I remember when I was young, I asked my Dad if Elves existed because I really wanted them to exist and he told me yes. He might not remember that, but I do. My parents fueled my imagination, and they completely and utterly believe I can be whatever I want, no matter how hard. I cannot thank them enough for believing in me, and reminding me everyday that I’m going to be a New York Times Bestselling Author.
Next, I have to thank my boyfriend, Armand. He, like my parents, has always been supportive of my dream and has helped me with that dream by learning Photoshop, formatting, and whatever else he needed to do to ensure my book had its best chance. I could have never asked for a more gifted and awesome person to be by my side during this process. I love you!
Next, my second family: Shryl, Allan, Shelby, and Strider. It all began with Shelby, who is such an awesome brother, he has saved nearly EVERYTHING I have ever written (which is also embarrassing), and then Shryl and Allan just adopted me. You guys are so amazing and so supportive.
To Mrs. Applegate - I cannot thank you enough for everything you’ve ever done to encourage me. I will always owe the greater part of my success to you. Thank you for reading my work from the beginning, for giving me a chance, and talking to me all those days at lunch about writing. As your former student and friend, I can say that, without a doubt, you are a prime example of what all teachers should be.
To my best friend Emily - Thank you for all your encouragement and reminding me of my purpose in life. You have talked me through the bad, and made this journey so much easier. Thank you for making sure I didn’t settle and for listening to me complain a lot. In your own words, you are a B.A.M.F!
To my best friend Crystal - You’ve supported my dream since the beginning with small but important things like asking for my autograph. Thank you for your encouragement, and always believing in me. Thank you for reminding me that the decisions I make are never bad ones.
To Barbara - All your feedback and support has been amazing, and I’m not sure I would be without you! I know you always say I would be exactly where I am now, but I don’t believe that. You are why CUTLASS is in this form! Thank you for all your suggestions, your resources, and your friendship! I love you and I love your books!
To Anne - Thank you for letting me share my story with you and sharing yours with me.
To Jason, Capri, and Elijah—Thanks for being my first #1 fans. You guys are awesome!
Thank you to my editor, Jena O’Connor! I’m so grateful I found you and that you were able to help me offer up the best version of Cutlass! You are wonderful and fast and sweet!
Thank you to all my friends, family, and fans who have supported me forever. You all know who you are. I love you.
©Ashli Amador Photography
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ashley was born and raised in Oklahoma, where the wind really does sweep down the plains, and horses and carriages aren’t used as much as she’d like. When she’s not writing, she’s hard at work on her Master’s degree in Library Science and Information Technology, working out, or pretending she’s Sherlock Holmes. Her obsession with writing began after reading the Lord of the Rings in the eighth grade. Since then, she’s loved everything Fantasy--resulting in an unhealthy obsession with the ‘geek’ tab on Pinterest, where all things awesome go.
www.ashley-nixon.com
Table of Contents
Chapter One – The Engagement
Chapter Two – Silk & Lace
Chapter Three – Sail Ho!
Chapter Four – Setting the Stage
Chapter Five – Sink Me!
Chapter Six – Jonathon Kingsley
Chapter Seven – Lights & Lungs
Chapter Eight – Old Salt
Chapter Nine – Changing Tides
Chapter Ten - Lessons
Chapter Eleven - Constellations
Chapter Twelve - Privateers
Chapter Thirteen - Recovery
Chapter Fourteen - Conn
Chapter Fifteen - Promise
Chapter Sixteen - Thief
Chapter Seventeen - Estrellas
Chapter Eighteen – The Assassin
Chapter Nineteen - Hemlock
Chapter Twenty - Stranger
Chapter Twenty-One - Betrayal
Chapter Twenty-Two – The Lyric
Chapter Twenty-Three – The Past
Chapter Twenty-Four – The Cape
Chapter Twenty-Five - Mutiny
Chapter Twenty-Six - Storm
Chapter Twenty-Seven - Graveyard
Chapter Twenty-Eight - Truce
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Table of Contents
Chapter One – The Engagement
Chapter Two – Silk & Lace
Chapter Three – Sail Ho!
Chapter Four – Setting the Stage
Chapter Five – Sink Me!
Chapter Six – Jonathon Kingsley
Chapter Seven – Lights & Lungs
Chapter Eight – Old Salt
Chapter Nine – Changing Tides
Chapter Ten - Lessons
Chapter Eleven - Constellations
Chapter Twelve - Privateers
Chapter Thirteen - Recovery
Chapter Fourteen - Conn
Chapter Fifteen - Promise
Chapter Sixteen - Thief
Chapter Seventeen - Estrellas
Chapter Eighteen – The Assassin
Chapter Nineteen - Hemlock
Chapter Twenty - Stranger
Chapter Twenty-One - Betrayal
Chapter Twenty-Two – The Lyric
Chapter Twenty-Three – The Past
Chapter Twenty-Four – The Cape
Chapter Twenty-Five - Mutiny
Chapter Twenty-Six - Storm
Chapter Twenty-Seven - Graveyard
Chapter Twenty-Eight - Truce
Acknowledgements
About the Author