I freshened up and changed into one of my new miniskirts. I chose the black-layered lace one with black tights and my simple black flats. For a top I went with a soft pink fitted knit one with a shirred bodice. If my dad could seek help, then I could wear a skirt. He’d wanted me to dress up like a girl once in a while. What better day than today to show him?
When I met him at the car he smiled again. I loved to see him happy.
“My beautiful Lacey,” he said as we got into the car. “It’s been years since I’ve seen you in a skirt.”
The last time anyone had addressed me like that was Mom. I’d been “Sweet Pea” to Dad. Maybe he was opening his heart to heal.
“You’ve seen me in ball gowns, Dad,” I reminded him.
“Not the same. Julie would fall off her chair too.”
I swallowed, putting my fingers over my mouth. Did he just say my sister’s name?
“You can breathe, Sweet Pea.”
Every ounce of adrenaline drained from me as we drove to Dr. Davis’ office. I thought about where I started, close to a year ago. Actually, the funeral had been in early January. Immediately afterward, the nightmares began along with anxiety attacks, panic attacks, and blackouts. Now nine months later I still had all those symptoms of PTSD, but I knew with Dad getting help, my new friends, and Kade, I could handle life a little better. Would I ever overcome PTSD? Maybe with time. Maybe if I had closure with Julie and Mom’s deaths.
For now, I had a guy who loved me and opened my heart to love again. I was going to play baseball again, and Dad was on the road to recovery. I couldn’t ask for much more out of life.
Dear Reader:
Thank you for taking the time to read Dare to Kiss. I hope you enjoyed the first book in the Maxwell Series. The second book, Dare to Dream, is the continuation of Lacey and Kade’s story. Expected release date will be Spring 2015.
If you have moment to spare, I would super appreciate a short review. Your help in sharing your excitement and spreading the word would be greatly appreciated.
Sign up for my NEWSLETTER:
http://author.sbalexander.com/contact/
You can connect with me:
Website: www.sbalexander.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sbalexander.authorpage
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sbalex_author
Google+: www.google.com/+SusanAlexanderauthor
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/sbalexander
Friend me FB: www.facebook.com/susan.alexander.14473
Acknowledgments
Writing a book takes a team effort. It’s not just the writer who pours her life into a story. It’s also the team behind her. Without a fantastic team, I wouldn’t be publishing. Red Adept Publishing, wow! What an awesome team of editors. I love you gals. Thank you for keeping me on the straight and narrow.
Katey Coffing, you’ve been a wonderful inspiration and coach through my entire journey when we met two years ago.
Streetlight Graphics, thank you for always producing amazing covers.
Terri Valentine, you are a great teacher and editor.
To the ladies and gents of the Kastle, thank you for being great listeners, for giving me encouragement, for making me laugh when I was sad, and for always having my back. You are all beautiful and I love you.
Tracy Hope, this book is dedicated to you. You’ve been with me from the moment my first book was published. Your advice keeps me sane. Your encouragement motivates me and your honesty helps me to get better as a writer. You’re a great friend, and I love you.
Finally, I am grateful to my husband, Bill, for his love, support and encouragement every step of the way.
Dare to Kiss Playlist
Music tells a story, defines a mood, makes you laugh, cry, dance, scream at the top of your lungs and most of all it grabs your soul. When I write, music does all that to me. It helps to define my characters and their moods.
“We Don’t have to Look Back” by Puddle of Mud.
“All of me” by John Legend
“Bound to You” by Christina Aguilera
“Gone to Soon” by Daughtry
“Broken Ones” by Jacquie Lee
“Drops of Jupiter” by Train
“Say Something” by A Great Big World
“Not Ready to Make Nice” by The Dixie Chicks
“Life in the Pain” by SafetySuit
“Demons” by Imagine Dragons
Other books by S. B. Alexander
If you love paranormal and urban fantasy check out:
On the Edge of Humanity – Book 1
How far would you go to save a loved one?
Natural-born vampires are born not made. Some humans, who roam the earth, are not even aware they carry such DNA
Sixteen-year-old Jo Mason is lost in a world where traipsing from one foster home to another is normal. She hates her life, she hates school and on most days, she hates living.
Her normal world shifts when she discovers her twin brother Sam has gone missing between Anger Management class and History Class.
She’s called to the principal’s office to meet Lieutenant Webb London, a Navy SEAL who is part of a secret team of natural-born vampires. His mission is to protect the twins from an evil cartel, but he’s too late. With Jo now under his protection, his team searches for Sam.
However, finding and rescuing Sam from the evil cartel may be the easy part. Jo learns she carries a dormant vampire gene that, if activated, could save him. As her normal world fades even more, pushing her closer to the edge of humanity, Jo must decide if her human life is more important than her twin brother
An Urban Fantasy that will immerse you into a different world of vampires and the paranormal.
Amazing, exciting and intriguing
Intended for Young Adult Audiences
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/TUx18YDbvnw
FREE at the following e-book retailers.
Amazon US:
http://www.amazon.com/B00ATVDEHQ
Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ATVDEHQ
ON THE EDGE OF ETERNITY – Book 2
How far would you go for your first kiss?
New vampire Jo Mason had never imagined life with fangs, or drinking blood as her main meal. She has, however, dreamed of her first kiss, her first date and her first high school dance—but for a new vampire, none of those firsts come easy. Humans now tempt her appetite for blood and the Plutariums, a rogue team of vampires, want revenge against her family.
When her human friend Ben Jackson asks her to the May dance, Jo struggles to abide by vampire law. She isn’t sure if she wants to kiss him or taste his blood. She’s even more confused by the mixed messages coming from Vampire SEAL Webb London. The way he looks at her makes her want to jump off the nearest cliff and into his arms at the same time. Her guy problems, however, become the least of her worries when the deadly ones take center stage.
The Plutariums abduct and drug her. She wakes alone with Ben, stranded on an abandoned yacht in the middle of a storm-tossed ocean. Worse, she struggles to keep her bloodlust sated and it will be a battle to see who survives.
Vampires with hearts and souls. Intrigue and action packed.
Amazon US:
http://amzn.com/B00FPA6EW8
Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FPA6EW8
Who are you?
By Wendy Kupinewicz
Who are you? Wait, do you know?
Are you defined by where you go?
Or what you say, or wear, or be?
Or where you live or what you see?
Or what you drive or what you need?
Or what you want or what you read?
If you changed what�
�s at your core,
Would those who love you, love you more?
Would you love you differently?
Would you see the you they see?
Maybe not and maybe so.
Perhaps less is more, you know?
So…
Love those we love for love alone.
Increase our kindness, soften tone.
Be ourselves, and soldier on.
Keep living ‘til the life is gone.
Be proud of all you are and do.
I love you all for being YOU!
Wendy, thank you for allowing me to use this poem. There’s so much meaning to every word and every line. You’re an inspiration, a poet and a great friend.
Dare to Kiss (The Maxwell Series Book 1) Page 36