by Karina Sharp
When Journey came back into my life, and I was reminded of exactly what my life had been missing, I vowed to myself that I would never take it for granted ever again. I want all of my family to know that every moment of every day with them, I spent walking in fields of gold.
As I tuck our daughters into their beds for the night, my littlest princess asks, “Daddy, will you tell us a bedtime story?”
Halia adds, “Oh yes! Please, Daddy!”
“Okay, but Alissia, you’ll need to come into your sister’s bed, so Daddy can hug both of his princesses.”
Alissia giggles and scurries over to Halia’s larger bed. We gave them the option to have separate rooms, but they chose, at least for now, to stay together in one room, which warms my heart a little more each night when I see them retire to the same bedroom by choice. I help Alissia, in her footed pajamas, climb up into Halia’s bed.
“Can we go visit Grandma and Grandpa tomorrow?” Halia asks.
My parents moved into the renovated guest house shortly after Journey and I married, and have been active, happy, and an integral part of our lives ever since.
“Of course we can, Sweetie.”
Both girls get under the blankets while I stay on top of the comforter. I lie in bed, between both of my daughters, and put an arm around each one. Feeling their heat as they snuggle against my side, I kiss each one on the top of their head, appreciating how wonderful life is and how fortunate I am to have not one, not two, but three angels living in my home. They are my everything, and when I am with them, I couldn’t ask for more.
I look up to the glowing stars, projected onto the ceiling by their favorite stuffed turtle, and take in a large, joyful breath.
“Once upon a time, there was a very unique girl who fell in love with a boy named Jack. They also met a lovely girl named Jenny. Although they didn’t realize it at the time, Jenny would turn out to be angel…
Acknowledgements
I can’t believe I’ve published one book, much less two! Writing and publishing a book is a process that involves so many fantastic people!
Yet again, thank you to my friend and favorite graphic artist Carrie Ann Foster with Good Girl Graphics for the amazing cover design. You saw my vision and took it to another level. This book would not be so pretty without you!
To my Beta Babes:
Melissa Fantauzzi- Thank you again for jumping up and being the first person other than me to ever read this work. You look past my typos and spelling errors and see the heart of the story. Your positive words are ever encouraging, and I am lucky to have you involved in this process.
Emily Cottle- You also read my writing in the roughest of states and always have great comments to help me to improve my writing. Who knew that I when I randomly asked for beta readers for my first novel, a complete stranger who lives around the corner from me would volunteer? Thank you for your input. I better see you in Zumba again soon!
Kristin Delecambre- Not only were you an awesome beta reader again, but you took the time to read through my rough draft five times and edit it! Your proofreading saved me so much time and effort. You understand my goal of improving my writing with each novel and your comment of “This is…I don’t know, it’s just more,” comparing this novel to Arielle was perfection in conveying your understanding. I don’t know how I managed to find another grammar nerd in this world who enjoys editing others’ work for fun, but I’m so happy I did. Grammar nerds = awesome sauce!
Allison East- my fellow Zumba instructor extraordinaire –thank you for encouraging me to start this entire author thing in the first place. Even though you say, “I’m not a good beta because I think everything is good,” you’re instrumental because you’re a great friend and an asset to the entire writing community. You’re always positive and supportive of all authors, and your continued enthusiasm helps me keep going. At least you didn’t have to come up with a title for this book!
I’m so fortunate to have not one, but two talented and best-selling authors as beta readers. They’re amazing authors and awesome people whose books everyone should check out. I wish you both continued success and I hope to have you both involved in many books to come.
Chelle Northcutt- You managed to find time to thoroughly read my book while your debut novel was becoming a best seller. Your notes and feedback were so thorough and helped bring Jack and Journey’s story to life in a way that is better than I thought I would be able to do. I love that we seem to be on the same brainwave and you managed to highlight and discuss all of the details I was apprehensive about without my telling you. Your real time commentary as you read make me smile. I know I made you cry- hashtag sorry, not sorry.
Stacey Grice- You sent your comments and feedback to me and I let out a sigh of relief. I thought you were going to rip this thing to absolute shreds! Your comments of “No,” and “NO,” were fantastic! I appreciate you seeing a lot of the little things that I missed and the compliments were an added bonus! If you haven’t read Stacey’s books, you need to!
Special thanks to my NaNoWriMo buddy, Mia Sheridan. You listen to me whine about working on multiple projects at once. When I send links to random, indie songs that I love, you always listen to them. And when I was feeling particularly discouraged, you sent me memes of handsome men telling me I could do it. Thanks for being an amazing writing buddy and sounding board. I’m a little jealous your NaNoWriMo project “Kyland” (which everyone should read) is complete, and mine is still hanging out in WIP land, but I finally put Journey out in the world, so onto the next project!
I have much gratitude for an awesome Facebook group of volunteer, advance readers and reviewers. You ladies are awesome! A super special thanks goes out to Karn Jones and Karen Glaze whose eagle eyes helped find some of the finer typos and errors.
To my pal, Lee- Thank you for your support not just in my writing endeavors, but also in protecting our home front. I don’t know how you stand wearing khaki every single day, but somehow you do it and manage to stay sane. You’re the only other person I know who loves gummy bears with their favorite alcoholic beverage like I do. Keep up the love of whiskey and gummy bears. The Middle East better be good to you. Oh, and make sure you protect yourself from Trench Foot.
The Thelma to my Louise, Shelley Brooks- Your enthusiasm and support as well as friendship are amazing things. Even with the million things on your plate, you always manage to find time to ask me about my progress or make me laugh. Being in the ICU with you and cracking up all of the nurses is one of the scariest, but best memories I will ever have. Being able to add one of your best quotes as you were wearing your oxygen mask into this book is even better.
My sister Lisa Manning- Your laissez-faire attitude is always encouraging because you err on the positive. Your quotent quotables include, “If you only make $10, that’s $10 more than you had before,” and, “I was worried that it would get draggy when she became a party girl, but her top went back on as quickly as it came off, so it was good.” It’s been many years since we used to snuggle up with a Koosa, but you still get me.
To my husband Doug- I’m eventually going to run out of ways to say how wonderful you are. The moment I knew this book was worthy for public view was when you messaged, “I stayed up all night reading your book. I couldn’t put it down.” Most might assume that you’re biased, but those who know us, know how we roll. You never shy away from brutal honesty and would be the first one to tell me if something is crap, thus I did a major happy dance when you got caught up in my writing. Thank you for hanging out in the middle of the ocean with a bunch of dudes for a month at a time so that I can hold down the fort here and type away. I love you more than I love grammar and cheerleading combined.
About the Author
Karina Sharp was born in Southeast Texas, but has lived all over the country. She holds a Master’s of Education in Counseling Psychology from the University of Louisville and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu. She is a former
Navy spouse and Navy Command Family Ombudsman.
Karina has worked with a diverse population of clients- from convicted felons to the severely mentally ill to adolescents who have been placed in the care of the Child and Family Services. She uses her experiences as inspiration to help give others a voice.
Karina is passionate about creating stories telling of relationships with strong female characters who not only find romance, but also learn about themselves in the process. When she is not writing, Karina teaches fitness classes and runs races. She has also danced burlesque.
Karina lives in Louisville, KY with her husband, their two children, two chocolate labs, and two turtles.
Karina can be found online at: www.facebook.com/karinasharpauthor
www.twitter.com/thekarinasharp