I got picked up for assault last night. I guess KL decided to file charges. He really is a pussy, but right now I have bigger issues to worry about. I need to get the fuck out of here. That’s why I used my phone call on her, and she didn’t even ask any questions or hesitate. I see the guard approach, a surly looking fat guy who looks like a guy they’d cast in the role of a cop on some bad TV show.
“Chase, Colton?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re free. Let’s go.”
They process me at the front desk. It only takes a few minutes. I’m exhausted from being up all night surrounded by some pretty shady individuals, all of whom were looking at me like they wanted to beat my ass. I need to go home and take a shower. As I walk towards the front I see Harley waiting for me. It’s weird, I barely know this girl—literally met her twice—but she’s the one I thought to call right away. Even in the state of mind I’m in right now I notice how beautiful she looks. More than that, I’m just really excited to see a familiar face.
“Hey there,” she says, grinning at me like I’m in trouble or something.
“Hey.”
“Who’d you kill?”
“No one, unfortunately. Just a minor beating.”
“Is that an oxymoron?” she asks.
“Actually, not in this case. It could have been a much worse beating for him, trust me.”
“You’re kind of hot when you’re tired, mad, and just released from prison, you know that? You wear the outlaw thing well.”
I know she’s joking, but I’m not in a joking kind of mood. “I’m not an outlaw. This whole thing is stupid. I need to contact Mike and Gray and tell them what happened.”
“How about breakfast first. You’ll need some calories to confess to your best friends. That, plus I’m really being selfish because I’m starving. There’s a diner around the corner, what do you say?”
“I say yes. Do I smell bad, though?”
She leans in and sniffs me. “Not to me. But this place does, let’s get out of here before I start to smell like a criminal.”
We walk outside into the cool mid morning air. I take a deep breath like I’ve been doing hard time or something, but the smell of fresh air is weirdly comforting at the moment. “Where’s this diner?”
“Just over here. It’s on me, just like your bail.”
“Oh, I’ll pay you back for that, I promise.”
“You can pay me in some signed books—the ones I didn’t get from the signing.”
“You got it. Speaking of signing, it’s not too long to RAAC. Shit. I have a lot to work out.”
“Before you call your boys, how about you confess to me? It can be part of the debt you owe me.”
“Now I’m in debt to you?” I joke.
“Yeah,” she answers, smiling. “That’s how it works, but this will be easy to pay back. Just get me some signed Colton Chase originals and confess your crimes over pancakes. Easiest debt to get out of.”
“Alright. I hope you have a few minutes.”
“Colton, if I were busy I wouldn’t be hanging out with you outside a jail I just bailed you out of. So silly. Let’s start walking, it’s this way.”
“Life takes us in strange directions sometimes, doesn’t it?”
“Sometimes?” she answers. “Try, all the time. But I’ve learned to go with it. I’ve been where you are.”
“You mean jail.”
“It’s not my time to confess yet. Show me yours and maybe I’ll show you mine later. Pancakes first, of course.”
“I don’t even know how I got into this shit. I mean, I do know. It’s my fault, obviously, but still, this feels super confusing.”
“I’m sure it does,” she says. You’ll tell me about it over some coffee.”
“There’s one thing that I do know.”
“What’s that?” she asks me innocently, stopping right outside the diner.
I feel a sudden rise in my throat, and I look up at her. “This isn’t over between the Wordsmiths and the Brotherhood. No. This is fuckin’ war.”
Coming Soon
If you enjoyed Knight’s story and you’d like to pre-order “Colton” — the follow up to “Knight” and book 2 in the Wordsmith Chronicles, just click this link—> http://a.co/dy2Ojmq
I had nothing until I had her.
Harley. My Muse.
I used to remind myself to never let my feelings get too intense or serious. Not over a woman. Never. That’s not the man I am. But she changed everything.
It all started with a single stolen glance at my book signing. My gaze never left her that afternoon, and an innocent meeting ignited a spark inside of me that I still haven’t recovered from.
The words that filled the pages of my novels, words that had ceased to exist, starting pouring from me when I met her.
But the ghosts of my past have crept back into my life unexpectedly, jeopardizing my ability to be with her, and the future I know we can have together. I want to fight for her—for us—and to be the man I know I can be.
I’m a Wordsmith.
Let me tell you our story.
Afterword
This is a series about us—the indie book community. As you just read, a lot of the characters are based around real people who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with, and real experiences that I’ve been lucky enough to have. For each of the books in this series I’m going to include some spotlights of the people who helped make each book possible, either directly or indirectly. It’s my way of honoring those involved. I think you’ll know most of them pretty well.
Golden Czermak
Amazing Author/ Great Photographer/ Cool Motherfucker
Golden is not only a colleague, he’s also an amazing human being and one of the nicest people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in this community. On top of that he takes some great photos (seriously—if you’re an author get after @furiousfotog), including the cover images for this series. I had the honor of meeting him in person and hanging out with him over a weekend at the Gettysburg signing. His books include: The Journeyman Series, The Secret Life of Cooper Bennett, Cade (The Agency Book 1), The Swole Series, and others.
From Golden,
“In the beginning, I worked the standard corporate rat race, completed college for a Chemical Engineering Degree, and if that wasn't enough to fill anyone's plate, began a small photography company on the side. Since then, and with the growth of the FuriousFotog brand, I became an internationally published modeling/fitness photographer with a following that reached 2 million fans worldwide. Eventually, I began working as a book cover model (after getting bitten by the gym bug - you are what you immerse yourself in I suppose. LOL)
Having been in the industry for at least six years, I've interfaced and networked with countless authors and other clients. As part of my work as a photographer, I've worked with them to capture and create book cover images - now numbering over 550 at the beginning of 2018. The cover of this book is one of those special images, and it's an absolute honor to have my work grace the cover of Chris' novel. However, the model is another matter entirely, causing me to break out in sweats and heavy panting every time he looks at me with "those eyes." Thank goodness they are closed on this book cover, otherwise, we would all be in trouble and Chris' words would be forever locked away behind Josh McCann's stare. I must take steps in future to prevent the threat of that happening...
Learning the ins and out of the book world, along with being an avid reader and storyteller myself, I also decided to write and publish my first book, Homeward Bound, in 2016. 16 have since followed in a surreal adventure that Chris also has the pleasure of experiencing. But enough about me, let's return this book to Chris where it belongs. Follow me on social media below for more.”
www.onefuriousfotog.com(Photography)
www.facebook.com/furiousfotog
www.goldenczermak.com (Books)
www.facebook.com/authorgoldenczermak
Josh McCann
>
Cover Model—Knight: Book 1 in the Wordsmith Chronicles and many, many others.
Josh is one of the most popular cover models out there. A great guy who’s been a pleasure to talk to, I couldn’t be happier to have his image be on the flagship book of the series.
Jessica Hildreth
Cover Designer/Formatter/Swag Designer/Mother of Dragons/Breaker of Chains
Chronologically I haven’t known Jessica that long, but it feels like I’ve known her forever, and she’s already become an integral part of my books. My cover and swag designer since Calem, Jessica (like Golden) is one of the best people in the industry. Professional, easy to work with, and great at her job. I can’t imagine my books without her. You can see all of her wonderful work at www.jessicahildrethdesigns.com
Lauren Lascola-Lesczynski
PA Extraordinaire/Beta Reader/Dispenser of Wisdom
Lauren is everything noted above and more. An inimitable part of the success of the R&E Fraternity and my career, she’s been supportive in all the ways I’ve needed her to be. Hyper organized, critically minded, and always available, she’s one of the best in the business! Thanks to Lauren for all of her help!
Stephanie Albon
Beta Reader
An avid reader, I first met Stephanie at the Gettysburg signing. I can’t thank her enough for taking the time to read Knight, offer me some critical feedback, and help catch my mistakes. Thanks again!
The Readers
Like an Oscar speech, there are too many people to name and upload pictures of individually, but the sentiment we feel towards all of you is the same: you make this possible. With every page turn, book purchase, like, comment, share, ARC read, blog review, and other types of support, you make events like Gettysburg manifest—a thing that can exist. Without you, the simple truth is that there would be no such events.
Personally, the greatest inspiration that I took outside of the amazing conversations I had with other authors was getting to see readers in person. That may sound silly, but we’re visual creatures, and being in an environment like that - my first- where there was nothing but love and support, put human faces to what is far too often just a series of icons on a social media page. Interacting with readers on any level—whether it was just signing a mug, or taking a picture, or going in depth over the plots of my books—made this all real, it made me feel successful, it made me want to write more stories for everyone.
Though I speak for no one but myself, always, I’m certain that the BT, Jackson Kane, Golden Czermak, Mickey Miller, Rob Somers, Seth, SD Hildreth, Derek Cromwell, and all the guys share in these sentiments - without you we’re just a bunch of guys with a laptop and a dream. With your support, however, we’re authors, capable of publishing book after book, story after story, knowing that there’ an audience who appreciates the labor put into our work as much as we appreciate the labor you put into reading it and helping us. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Not only those who attended the signing, but everyone. But to those at the signing, in particular, thank you for making manifest what was simply just a dream not too long ago. Stay tuned.
Acknowledgments
So many people inspired this work—readers and writers alike. All of them deserve to be thanked. So, here it goes, in no particular order.
The members of the Romance and Erotica (R&E) Fraternity who I got to meet and talk with during the Gettysburg signing— BT Urruela, Scott Hildreth, Golden Czermak, Seth King, Derek Adam, Mickey Miller, Rob Somers, Chris Genovese, and Jackson Kane. Our talks inspired these words, and for that I’m eternally grateful.
To Harlan’s Readers and the loyal supporters of the R&E Frat—your support of this book will help keep my fingers poised over the keyboard for the next few books. Keep reading and I’ll keep writing.
Ellen Farrelly, Jennifer Beeley, Elizabeth Gray, Nora Fresse, Debbie Victorino, Crystal Shunk, Mary Dikeman Probst, Ches Daniele, Mandy Tregaskis, Heather Schrader, Monica L Murphy, Katie Sullivan, Angel Davis, Mindy Knadler, Kristina Olsen, Kimberly Field, Lyn Liddell, Michelle Lambert, Julie Jacobus, Erin L. Grant, Amy Darragh, Jennivie Wirries, Maria Nevarez, Cindy Hughes, Liz Black, Christina Burrus, Jill Bourne, Julie JA Lafrance, Maria Rivera, Misty Yancey, Kellie Conway, Lisa Pleines Cochran, Tiffany Greene Elliott, Linda Rimer-Como, Raven Johnson, Marla Corniels, Melinda Evans-Mcleroy, Amber Marie Brazell, Selena Lanovara Scott, Heather Swan, Connie Walsh Beeson, Clare Fuentes, Athena Engel, Lea Winkelman, Crystal Matz PA,Denise Long, Courtney Fogle , Elise Heness, Danielle Brass, Tammy Dalton, Karla Monahan, Dawn L. Roether, Mina Parmar Kalidas, Sonya Hardin, Angi Burns, Jennifer Rusher-Minton, Cindy Bearor, Deanna Wilson Thompson, Elizabeth Bell, Gina Marcantonio, Samantha Beson, Melissa Eastep Myers, Heather Fueger, Angie Davis, Jessica Seibel, Jenn Haines, Amanda Wilson, Michelle Titherington VanDaley, Carrie Spear Trupp, Kristen Lee Kucera, Joanne Coughlin, Amanda Cunningham, Heather Rollins Himmelspach, Claire Jenni Alexander, Katie Hindmarch, Nadine Keedy, Deb Meade Cechak, Sarah DeLong, Charlotte Isaac, Sharon Aldrich, Debbie Herron, Mike Urbat, Elaina Lucia, Kathy Lemecha Brown, Melanie Stevenson, Keri Roth, Jamie Spencer Harbison, Cathy Lane-Zaffuto, Suzette Prescott Dynko, Angela Crowell, Lauren Mitchell, Lisa Hemming, Diana Green, Laura Albert, Debbie Eichler, Cassy Kubehl, Shirley Werner, Joann Sterns, Stephanie Starkel, Kari Ann, Stephanie J Bird, Jessica Laws, Tiffany Reed, Teri Ditchman, Luetta Lyons, Monica Randau, Chris Cox, Lg Reads
Meghan R. Deppenschmidt, Any Jenkins, Lisa Carotenuto-Mark, Cat Wright, Shelly Reynolds, Jennifer Willison, Kelly Vidito, Marcia Gray, Jamie Marguilis Speck, Julie Leopold, Carol Lynn Scheufler, Jodie Coman, Mina Parmar Kalidas, Tammy Lynn Cuppett, Kristina Bonham, Kristi Van Howling, Sara Miles Mason, Megan Asmus, Brenda Pratt, Sharelle Lovato, Catherine Ingalls Hussein, & Beverly Gordon.
My ARC TEAM
And, finally, to the members of my ARC & Beta teams, who took the time to read, review, spell check, and offer feedback before it was released! Without you the book wouldn’t be what it is.
Lauren Lascola-Lesczynski, Stephanie Albon, AR Bailey, Amanda Lee, Amanda O’Brien, Amanda Rambusch, Amy Horton, Andi Smith, Andrea Flatness Kollmer, Angel Davis, Angi Burns, Ann Leeson, Ann Zimmer, Anna Lee, AnnaMarie Hay, Arien Johnston, Bente Elin Bendiksen, BiancaMarie Brown, Bonnie Bracken,Carly Pedersen , Carol Lynn Scheufler, Carolyn Nunley, Cat Wright, Catherine Ingalls Hussein, Cathy Lane-Zaffuto, Ches Daniele, Chris Cox, Chriss Prokic, Christine Valentukonis Geier, Cindy Hughes, Clare Fuentes, Crystal Matz PA, Danielle Brass, Darlene Carroll, Dawn Brian Roether, Deanna Hunt, Debbie Eichler, Denise Fackler Van Plew, Dora Harvey, Elizabeth Bell, Hanna Abskharon, Heather Swan, Ingrid Duebbert, Janet Clark, Jenni Copeland Belanger, Jennifer Rusher-Minton, Jessica Estes Ingram, Jessica Laws, Joann Stearns, Julie Leopold, Karen Tartaglia, Kathy Webber, Katrina Haynes, Keri Roth, Kristen Erickson Eckard, Kristi Van Howling, Lacy Laurel, Lacy Mercado, Laura Albert, Lauren Mitchell, Leanna Cummings, Lesley Robson, Leticia Hernandez, Lg Reads, Linda Rimer-Como, Lisa Hemming, Lisa Pleines Cochran, Mandy Demaree, Marcia Gray, Maria Nevarez, Maria Rivera, Megan Asmus, Melanie Stevenson, Michaela Zankl, Michelle Lambert, Mina Parmar Kalidas, Missy Noecker, Misti Jo Runyon, Monica Cottrell Randau, Monica L. Murphy, Nichole Watson, Nikki Wilson, Nora Fresse, Phyllis Smith, Samantha Beson, Sandra Cohen, Sandra Foy, Sara Gross, Shaleen Gray, ShannonChris Colin, Shelly Reynolds, Shirley Werner, Stephanie McKnight-Bailey, Stephanie Starkel, Stephany Snell, Sue Ouellet, Susan Duran, Suzette Prescott Dynko, Syndi Hutchinson, Tammy Lynn, Teresa Guthrie Lara, Teri Ditchman, Tiffany Greene Elliott, Tina Laurelli, Tori Jo Carlson, and Vickie Beams.
Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. #potato
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Knight: The Wordsmiths Book One Page 24