Everyone came out today for my birthday, but this is normal for us. We always have an excuse for a cookout or meal out. We don’t need an excuse, our friendship is our bond. Our strength. I’m blessed to be a part of it. Responsibilities change as life happens, but we all grew up together and began our transition into parenting, marriage and ‘adulthood’ around the same time. As our priorities shifted, our love for one another remained forefront. Family isn’t always blood, but it’s who is in your heart, and these people are embedded in mine.
Dakota
Almost twenty years of friendship is in this room. Lisa, Heath, and Lynsey were added later but are one of us. Time and tribulations couldn’t separate us, we are like the Musketeers . . . one for all and all for one. We’re there for the big moments and the little ones. In the darkest times of my life, they were all there, and space and distance didn’t tarnish our friendships.
I watch my four-year-old son, Adam, run around chasing Bianca’s daughter and have to hold back a laugh when I see Heath getting testy. That won’t be a relationship made in heaven and never will her parents bless it. Lisa and I decided one child was enough for us, and he’s proved to be everything we needed. He’s hell on wheels, no holds barred, all boy. Drives his mother nuts but she wouldn’t trade a minute of it.
My grandparents passed away last year, and I was grateful they got to spoil Adam and start a journey as grandparents and not pseudo-parents. The joy he brought them allowed us to bury everything. Any lingering bitterness disappeared the day Adam was born. The love you feel for your child dulls everything else in your life. It’s your saving grace, your second chance. I’ve had many chances, and I’m lucky to get this one right. With Lisa by my side, she constantly guides me.
Lisa
I’m still overwhelmed by this group. It’s unconventional, but it works. The love and laughter shared is the glue that holds us together. Disagreements begin and end as soon as a cross word leaves our mouths. Our kids play together, pitch tantrums with one another, and if one does, the other four follow. It’s a mess, but it’s one I revel in. The dirt of life is the best for growing lifelong friendships, and that’s what we all have.
Heath
If Dakota doesn’t get his son away from my Princess, I’m going to beat the ever-loving shit out of him and then teach Angelina how to do the same to Adam. Bianca rests her hand on my shoulder and shakes her head. She knows where my head is, but that’s my baby girl. She may look like me, but she is her Momma’s daughter through and through. “Stop it. I’m telling Nana!” my little girl screams at her cohort. I wonder where she got that.
Marriage and fatherhood are everything I dreamt and more. Each day is still a challenge with my wife, but I knew that when I dove head first in love with her and wouldn’t expect anything less. Not from her. Not with her.
We visit my dad often, but with the addition of our kids, he is here a lot. It’s good to see the joy on his face and hopefully it eases some of the past regrets. We all have them, and learning to leave them behind is a lesson we all struggle with. It nearly destroyed my life once, and I learned then to move on from them. Family and future are what I live for now.
Bianca
Holy shit people need to sew their vaginas shut. No more kids. Five. Count them if you can, but they move too fast. And the noise they make. I secretly love it, but I can’t let anyone know that. My little boy, barely walking, struggles to squirm out of my arms to go wrestle with the rest of them. Lorenzo looks like Heath and my dad. He has his dad’s personality, and I thank the heavens above because my little tyrant Angelina is me . . . and it isn’t pretty at my house on most days. The shit she says . . .
I listen to Bronson bitch about the latest NASCAR schedule and something about points to the chase . . . I swear he’d bitch if you hung him with a new rope. Always something to gripe about. In all fairness, we aged him faster than normal. I look at Lia and Angelina and giggle when I catch Callie’s eye. Oh yeah, it’s on. Those girls are going to kill their daddies.
Darkness and light were created and extinguished in this group. Through it all we managed to hang on. We are ride or die bitches. All in. Hard core. But follow that shit up with a pedicure and massage. I’m not totally thug. Dr. Adams still hasn’t responded to my demand letter, but I still haven’t written a book. Maybe I will if I can talk Callie into doing it with me. If not, she can go fuck herself.
Lynsey
I sit back and observe. That’s what I do, and boy have I learned a lot. I’ve learned what I want from life when I look around at this group. They are family. They are united. I have a mouth like a steel trap. I don’t share. But maybe one day soon I’ll have enough to say to fill a book. #comingsoon.
Playlist
Fix You by Coldplay
Secondhand Smoke by Kelsea Ballerini
Breathe Me by Sia
Let it Out by Mia Sable
I Got the Boy by Jana Kramer
Angel Eyes by The Jeff Healey Band
Acknowledgements
This never gets easy. I'm always afraid of leaving someone out. I already gave Stephie her kudos but she's greedy and will want somethiing else . . . so to you- I flove you. It's that simple.
My readers- THANK YOU! I published two years ago not knowing anything and I'll be honest I never expected it to be this hard to get my name out there, have someone take a chance on my words . . . so those of you who did I am beyond grateful and in love with you. XOXO
Bloggers- I hate that term. It sounds like it's less than it is. You tirelessly support us, help get the word out, buy, read, review . . . and lets face it, there are some assholes out there who want to ruin it but THANKS for sticking it out and doing what you love so we can continue to do what we love.
My betas- Your notes kill me, just like my misplaced commas and mispelled words kill you. I love getting your notes and thank you for not telling me I suck.
Ummmm- I think I'm out of words so for anyone I've slighted or forgot, I own it, I'm completely unorganized and write this on the fly because no matter what I say, who I thank it isn't enough. THANK YOU!!!!
Other Works by Leigh Ann Lunsford
Not Enough (Parker Siblings, #1)
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QQcy8Z
GR link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18777327
Brielle Parker has her life in front of her; she just does not know how to live it. After years of not being enough for her parents, or the dreams she once had, how did one man Colby James show her she was actually more than enough?
Raised by her grandparents with her three siblings, Brielle was loved, no doubt. However, her grandparents were taken too soon, and she was left with her older sibling to try to raise her younger ones. She couldn’t help but let the doubts take over her life. Would she ever be enough? Then Colby walked in and changed everything, and just when she was facing her fears and falling in love for the first time, Colby ripped her heart out.
Will they be able to get past their mistakes to live the life they both want? Did Colby finally break Brielle when all he wanted to do was protect and love her? You can rebound from some mistakes, but some you just have to learn from and walk away. The love they have is true and pure, but will they finally be enough for each other?
Not Leaving (Parker Siblings, #2)
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NEi8Ls
GR link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20562403
Addison Parker has loved one boy all her life, Tyler James. She met him the first day of school after moving to Tennessee to live with her grandparents. Through death, raising her younger siblings, betrayal, and heartbreak, he has been there. She has forgiven him for many things, but this time when he leaves, she decides he is not her future anymore.
Tyler James loves Addison Parker. He has made mistakes, but his love is always constant. He wants to be with her, but through lies and misunderstandings it doesn’t seem possible anymore. When a single moment changes his future, will he be able to come back and pick up the
pieces of their relationship, or did he finally break all of her faith in him?
Not Hiding (Parker Siblings, #3)
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QQcHJM
GR link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21857409
Cambree Parker has finally flown the nest and headed off to college in a different state, truly alone for the first time. Trying to escape from her sisters shadows, she runs from the lies and deceit that have plagued her family for years, and from the boy who stole her heart and shredded it in the process. Once there, she realizes her freedom is not all she hoped it would be. She misses her family, thinks of Max daily, and when she decides she wants to take control, she is attacked, leaving her family to fear for their safety. Can she protect her heart and remain safe when the source of her heartache has taken up permanent residence by her side?
Max Baird knew he messed up. His guilt over Cambree being attacked makes him doubt if he is good enough for her. He just knows he can’t walk away. She has told him she hates the lies, but the one he is keeping can blow her family apart, and he doesn’t know if she will ever forgive him. He has seen his share of sorrow and heartbreak, but he refuses to allow Cambree to suffer at his hands anymore. He will prove to her they can work. Hopefully he isn’t too late.
Not Over (Parker Siblings, #4)
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NEimSN
GR link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22586439
Dustin Parker had life and love in his grasp until the moment she disappeared without a good-bye. He has watched his sisters struggle, fall in love, and find a happily ever after. He thought it was his turn, but fate had other plans. Leaving the family again, this time to attend school across the country, he will play soccer, and try to keep her off his mind. All of a sudden in walks someone to occupy his bed but not his heart. Why is he promising her forever?
Teryn Hall has suffered years of abuse, held a prisoner in her home by the one man who should have nurtured and loved her. Her scars run deep, and when her pain bubbles to the surface she can’t control the memories and the anguish. She thought she was doing the right thing when she walked away. She thought he would wait for her. Didn’t he promise her forever? Right when she thinks things are back on track, the news of Dustin moving on could derail her.
Can love really survive anything?
**This is fourth book in series**
***Due to strong language and sexual content not intended for anyone under age of 18***
****This book does reference abuse****
BOX SET OF ALL 4 Parker Siblings
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QQcUww
Pieces of Paisley
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QQd1bo
GR link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22918259
Paisley Hull fell in love at sixteen; the forever kind of love: unexpected, passionate, consuming - her first. She never thought she could walk away from that kind of passion. Ignoring her heart, guided by her head, she never looked back.
Blindsided by the beauty of a tiny, hazel-eyed vixen, Jake Grant fell head over heels in love, vowing to keep her protected and not let his past taint her. He may have been overzealous in his attempts to show her how much he cherished her but he never thought she would walk away without a fight.
Nine years later, a now divorced Jake has a chance encounter with an engaged Paisley just a few short weeks before she is set to walk down the aisle. Wondering if they gave up too easily, the two embark on a journey through the jagged edges of their past. Can they overcome the obstacles to finally become one or is it too late for their second chance?
Brisé
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/1QQd1bo
GR link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24630189
He was seven. She was four. Neighbors and best friends. He was her protector. She was his reason. Each had their battles but they fought them together. He had a plan. She wasn’t aware.
She was seventeen. He was twenty. Tragedy strikes and their life is derailed. She leaves to heal and fulfill a dream to dance on stage. He is left behind and forgets how to live.
He stops searching. She begins looking. Can they ever set one another free, or does fate have something else in store for them?
Promise and Protect
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NEiQbC
GR link: http://tinyurl.com/qaxt84k
District Attorney, Jessa Pierce, has the chance to make her career with a high profile case. To take the devil himself off the streets is the one thing she is focused on. Never taking into account the danger she put herself and those close to her in, tragedy strikes and derails her triumph. Forced into protective custody after an attempt on her life, the guilt of what has happened weighs on her. She is determined not to allow another person to be put in danger because of her decisions.
Detective Dalton Avery is the only man for the job of protecting her. He has a personal stake in this case and feels indebted to Jessa. Having watched her for years, never making his attraction known, he finds himself drawn to her when they are in close quarters. He tries to break through her walls, and each time he thinks he removes a brick, she puts two more up.
All he wants to do is protect her. Promise her a future. All she wants to do is have this nightmare over and keep Dalton safe. When their guard comes down and they succumb to their attraction, the devil isn’t very far behind. The passion, danger, and love they experience is just an added bonus.
Bellissimo Fortuna
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NEiXnA
GR link: http://tinyurl.com/qe8foph
Fierce, good-looking, loyal, son of a crime boss, Bronson Agosto is what every girl dreams of. Devoted to one girl and willing to do everything in his power to ensure her safety.
Beautiful, trusting, damaged, daughter of the underboss, Callie Locati has Bronson’s heart. She gave herself to him when they were kids and will sacrifice all she is to protect him.
Divided by the greed of one of the most trusted members of the familia, a father’s sins, and secrets kept, they struggle to overcome the obstacles life has thrown their way. Is their bond strong enough to conquer the forces trying to keep them apart? Is a father’s betrayal more than their love can survive? Will the family secrets ruin them or will their devotion stand the test of time?
Bellissimo Lotta
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QQdiLk
ALL TRAILERS ON ONE CHANNEL
http://tinyurl.com/nk7brnz
About the Author
Leigh Ann Lunsford is a stay at home mom turned author. She writes Romance/New Adult and loves her happily ever after in all books and movies. She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs in Fleming Island, Florida. When she isn’t writing or reading you can find her stuck in front of really bad reality shows or watching Sons of Anarchy. Leigh Ann has a filthy mouth and a huge amount of sarcasm that knows no end. She hopes to give the voices in her head an outlet with many more novels to come.
FB Author Page:
https://www.facebook.com/leighannauthor
Amazon page:
amazon.com/author/lalunsford
Twitter:
@AuthorLeigh
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7382702.Leigh_Ann_Lunsford
Email:
[email protected]
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