Her Perfect 10
Page 34
Each with our own perfect ten.
Dedicated to Fate,
the pushy bitch who made me reluctantly find the
love of my life.
Thank you for not giving up on us, even when we did.
SD & 736
Thank you for reading!!
Parents aren’t supposed to have favorites, and the same goes for writers, who feel like each book they create is a baby without a heartbeat. But Her Perfect Ten is definitely my favorite story—at least so far. Sadie and Owen were both such strong voices in my head, it was downright fun to see what they were going to get themselves into next. I hope you loved them, or at least tolerated them, in all of their imperfect glory.
I also hope you’ll leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads, so other people can find their story as well. Reviews have a very powerful impact on people considering reading a book—even the negative ones. Do you often, or ever, start a book that has hardly any reviews? Most people don’t. The easiest way to support an author is to leave an honest review where possible future readers can find it. Thank you to those who do!
People often ask where I get the ideas for each story, and for this one, my husband deserves all the credit. Whenever I try to brainstorm with him about anything involving writing, his advice is ALWAYS to “describe the penis.” Even if my question is regarding a name, the main conflict, or how a guy would react to something, his words are always the same: “Describe the penis.”
I’m a firm believer that penises should absolutely NOT be described in romance books. Erotica, maybe, but that’s not my genre. A dick description would distract me from the actual story…and make me cringe. So, while I didn’t exactly describe Owen’s package—he’s grateful for this, by the way, he was quite uncomfortable with how far Sadie went with her first impression—I did come up with an idea about a girl that was very willing to not only describe a penis in her LBB, but also rate them, and how well their owners used them.
The hard part was imagining a guy that didn’t find that to be a deal-breaker.
I figured he would have be someone willing to dig into her reasoning as to why she would ever rate penises in the first place, so he had to be a nice, compassionate guy at heart, but one who was always trying to better himself at the same time.
Sadie and Owen were born shortly after, and they took over every aspect of my life!
Even after the book was written, after a million self-edits, and pouring over every word choice and every reaction they had, and then breathlessly handing it over to beta readers to scrutinize… This book was my entire life for a long time.
So much so, that they stayed with me, long after I handed it off to the editor and decided their story was complete. These characters live on—in my head—as friends. Who had imaginary friends as a child? I have them as an adult!! LOL Anyway, I love them so much, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
I’m still not ready.
Which is actually good, because I wrote them a second book, one that’s not ready to share with you yet. At least as of April 2020, the first publication of this story. Check my website at www.BriannaCash.com to see updates as to when it’ll be available.
Acknowledgments
So many people to thank this time!
First and foremost, of course, thank you to my husband. You take care of me when I don’t realize I’m not doing it myself, you gave me the idea for this book, you pick up my slack and don’t hate me for occasionally neglecting you and our home, and you are honestly the best thing that has ever happened to me. Thank you. For loving me. For letting me live this dream. For believing in me and being my biggest supporter. And for always being yourself, because we balance out each other’s imperfections. I love you and our life more than you will ever know, and I’m thankful for how effortlessly you love me. Especially when I’m being a total bitch.
Secondly, to all the people who directly helped with this book.
To K. Hart. (She provided the painting in this book, the one for the 10th assignment, explain the meaning of this image as if you’re the painter.) YOU ARE AN AMAZING ARTIST! I could stare at some of your work for hours and still not get enough. You are talented, and smart, and kind, and I’m honored to have your work in my book.
My alpha-reader, Kate. I would be a frazzled mess without you! Thank you for listening to me drone on and on for so many months about these characters and their problems. Thank you for lifting me up when I’m feeling insecure, and pointing out how ridiculous I sometimes am.
My critique partner, Craig. You made me laugh so many times with your comments and provided such insightful feedback. This book wouldn’t be what it is without all the time and effort you put into helping with this project.
My beta readers. You guys get the story before it’s polished, and I thank you for being able to see past the blurry edges and stained surfaces. Thank you for loving this book before I made it pretty.
My editor, Pam Ebeler. This was my first time working with a professional editor, and you made it an easy and positive experience. Thank you for helping me make this story shine.
My proofreader, Julia at Luna Imprints Services. I can’t believe how many mistakes you caught that I couldn’t see. Thank you for being so fantastic to work with. I can’t wait to work with you again on my next project.
My cover designer, Cole Gordon. Thank you for still taking orders from me! I’ll probably cry when I contact you to help with my next cover and you tell me you don’t have time, or you’re doing bigger and better things. You’ve helped me in so many ways, and you provide me with amazing covers!
To all my family and friends. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t be the person I am, I wouldn’t think the way I do, I wouldn’t feel like I could possibly do something as crazy as trying to be an author… I don’t say it near enough, but guys. I love each one of you, and I’m so grateful to have your support. It means everything to me. Even if I’m being an ungrateful sister, daughter, cousin, friend, etc. I hope you know that I still appreciate you and you have a huge impact on me.