Patrick laughed, and I gaped at both of them in awe as he turned casually to the portal of light. I moved to do the same. While we both stared into the pulsing blaze, his fingers gently grazed the palm of my hand and then laced through mine. A shock of unwavering confidence and steadfast security rippled throughout my body and soul. I peered into his deep green eyes, imagining how bright, literally and metaphorically, our future would be, and found myself filled with a supernatural joy and peace that overwhelmed and conquered any uncertainties.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Patrick asked. He squeezed my hand and beamed at me with the excited yet nervous look of an adrenaline-seeking groom before jumping out of an airplane with his bride after taking their vows.
I felt invincible, more self-assured than ever, and just like the bride in the airplane. I nodded swiftly with a wide grin. I faced the brilliant, glowing aura with Patrick by my side, and together we took a running leap into the light.
Acknowledgments
I have too many people to thank as I have had a tremendous amount of help and support from so many people along the way! First, I want to thank my friend, Ashley, for suggesting the outrageous idea that I write a book in the first place and helping me as I formulated the basic plot and characters. Second, I need to thank my other inspiration for writing this novel: my always faithful, always merciful, and always loving God. Third, I seriously have to thank my sister Erin, my friend Kelsey, and Katie for being the first to read and critique Shadow Eyes when it was still being written and very much in need of revision. Also thanks to my mother, Sheila, and my friends Katrina and Becca who also helped with revision, and to my friend Jana who helped make the beginning of the book worthy enough to be accepted by such a fine publishing company. Fourth, thank you to my amazing editor, Meredith, who truly helped turn this book into the jewel it is now. Fifth, I owe so much to the many students who helped me make the most awesome book trailer in the history of book trailers! Specifically, major thanks goes out to Erica and Brooklyn who put a tremendous amount of effort and work into making it the very best it could be! Sixth, I have to thank my students in the 10/11 and 11/12 school years for encouraging me and putting up with my excessive book talk…and because they’d harass me if I didn’t acknowledge them. Lastly, I want to thank my wonderful husband, Clayton. Thank you for not giving up on me and for enduring my being glued to my laptop for the last year or so. I love you more than you’ll ever know!
About the Author
Dusty Crabtree has been a high school English teacher since 2006, a challenge she thoroughly enjoys. She is also a youth sponsor at Cherokee Hills Christian Church in Oklahoma City and feels very blessed with the amazing opportunities she has to develop meaningful relationships with teens on a daily basis. She resides with her husband, Clayton, in Yukon, Oklahoma, where they often serve their community as foster parents. Apart from the obvious reading and writing, she also enjoys serving on the praise team and drama team at church and watching movies. Shadow Eyes is Dusty’s first novel, but there will definitely be more to come!
Be sure to “Like” Dusty Crabtree’s author page on Facebook and check out or follow her blog at www.dustycrabtree.wordpress.com. She would love to hear your thoughts on the book or just talk about life with any of her readers.
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