by C. C. Brown
"I haven't been avoiding you--,"
"Bullshit," he interrupted, laughing slightly. "From the night I first saw you at Ada's, there was a spark rocketing between us. I've been thinking about you ever since those intriguing, grey eyes locked with mine."
His seductive smile made me hold my legs tightly together. Watching him move his lips in such a sensual manner unleashed an explosion of sensation rippling from my heart down to the soft spot in between my legs. I noticed my chest moving up and down, and I worked hard to try and slow it. Grayson watched me intently, taking pride in the fact that he had me riled up, and I was doing a piss poor job of hiding it.
"Grayson--"
He held up his hand and stopped me.
"I'm not asking you to dive in head first, Dallis. I'm just sick of acting like feelings aren't there. We both have them and it feels good getting them out in the open."
I ran my hand through my hair, feeling a bit agitated and aroused at the same time.
"You might be right, but like I said, you don't want to get mixed up in my shit."
He rubbed his stubble and slowly licked his bottom lip before saying, "I'll be the judge of that."
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Where You Can Find Me
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Acknowledgements
This is always the hardest part of writing a book. There have been so many people who have played an instrumental part in helping me continue my dream of being a writer, and excuse me if this gets long, but I have thank everyone.
First and foremost, I want to thank, you, my readers. I sat in my house one day, after reading indie book after indie book and thought, why can't I do this? So, without a clue as to how the indie world worked, I sat down and wrote Red Flags. I didn't contact a single blogger, I didn't do any marketing, I didn't do anything right. I wrote the book, created my author page the day I published, then prayed someone would pick it up and read it. The response I've received thus far has been incredible. Because of you, your willingness to take a chance on me, and your wonderful ability to spread the word, my little book has received more love than I ever thought possible. To those readers who hated Red Flags, voiced their opinions (virtually), and bashed me, I have to thank you, too. I took every piece of criticism and used it to help me learn and grow. It was hard, and I don't think I will ever get used to it, but it helped, and for that, I am thankful. I appreciate you all, and I hope to be able to write for you for many years to come.
To my beta readers: Lisa, Bella, Cord, and Brittany, thank you. I had no clue what a beta reader was when I started this crazy journey, but I quickly figured it out, and I'm thankful that you all took this opportunity to help me tell my story. Lisa and Bella, extending yourselves to a stranger shows the good in a person. You ladies are amazing, and your input, criticisms, highlights, and encouragements are definitely appreciated. Cord and Brittany, your desire to see an old friend succeed has touched me in so many ways. Cord, thank you for picking up something outside of your preferred genre. Your input was immeasurable. Brittany, your love of books, and the want to see me develop as a writer, helped me more than you will ever know. Thank you all.
How can an indie succeed without the help of bloggers? It's damn near impossible. Thank you so much to First Class Books. Trev, I don't think you understand the depth of my appreciation that you sought me out, read my book, and pimped it the best that you could. Thanks to you the word got out, I met more incredible authors, and I gained my confidence back when bad reviews were beginning to knock me down. I'll never be able to truly express my gratitude for your kind heart.
Books, Babes, and Cheap Cabernet, you gave me Bella, and I am so thankful. Not only did she read and review Red Flags, but I've forged a friendship and I am eternally grateful.
The Indie Bookshelf, thank you for taking the time to read and review my little book. Janna, when I received your response saying you would be reading and reviewing, I was over the moon. The fact that you liked it was icing on the cake.
Reality Bites, Becky, you made me tougher, and I appreciate that. You didn't love Red Flags, but you stuck with me and challenged me. I truly feel like it made me dig deep while writing Enlightened. Your brutal honesty, while hard to hear, was needed. I was so thrilled to hit the jackpot with you in book two. Thank you for being you.
Sugar and Spice, thank you for taking the time to read and review. The fact that I changed your minds in book two means the world to me.
Swoon Worthy Books, Ena, you have to be the most charismatic blogger I've met, and I love it. Your infectious love of Jason, flaws and all, made me believe in my character. Thank you for spreading the word.
TheSubClub, thank you beyond words. Your love of my story, your spotlights, and your overall support of me and my work, put me out there with some of the big dawgs in the indie world. Your belief in my story sent so many more readers my way. I appreciate everything you ladies have done for me.
Book Addict Mumma, you picked up my book, liked it, and continued to follow me. Thank you for your support.
Momma Romance, thank you for making me your first, official, blog review. To this day, I am honored to hold that title.
Book Reader Chronicles, your time and insightful review of my work is greatly appreciated.
The Rock Stars of Romance, what the hell can I say? Your page took me on before anyone really knew me, and you've been some of my biggest supporters. I can't thank you enough for you page, your passion, and your support. You ladies ROCK!
Reading Delightz, Angie's Dreamy Reads, and Have Book Will Read, jumping on my train to help me get the word out is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Last, but certainly not least, Jessica and Lyndsay of The Little Black Book Blog. Oh. My. Gosh! I contacted you ladies after a not so pleasant experience with a blogger and when your page was in its early stages. You ladies picked up my book, enjoyed it, then formed a friendship with me that I cherish dearly. Your love of my work, your belief in my abilities, and the time and effort you put into Enlightened did not go unnoticed. If I could fly you ladies out to Hawaii for some rest and relaxation, I would. You deserve it. I hope to see your blog grow, and I hope you will continue to have me.
To all of you bloggers, thank you so much for your passion. Without you all, I'm not sure I would have the little success that I have today.
Shanora Williams, my idol, my friend. I thank you for being so open and receptive to this strange girl contacting you, asking a million questions about even the most simple of things. You have helped me guide my way through this crazy world, going above and beyond for me. You believed in Red Flags even when I didn't, and your words of encouragement have helped me through so many rough days. See you in Chicago. Be ready for me to fangirl the hell out of you.
My book bitches, who welcomed me in, allowed me to rant and celebrate, gave words of encouragement and pimped the hell out of me, I love you all tremendously. S.L. Jennings, Madeline Sheehan, E.L. Montes, Karina Halle, T.K. Tuitt, Gail McHugh, M.J. Abraham, Nicole Deatherage, Emma Grayson, Michelle Valentine, Claire Contreras, L.B. Simmons… *whew* Signed or not, bestseller or not, a million Facebook LIKES or ten, you ladies have been a solid core of authors and I am so grateful to have gained your friendship. I've learned so much from each and every one of you, and when I thought I should throw i
n the towel, it was your words that pushed me forward. When we all get into one room, I'm going to break my rule and tightlyhug every single of one you, but if anyone licks my face, you're getting punched. To the rest of the crew, you know who you are, I just want to say, thank you. I love you all!
Dawn Martens… WTF???? Worst couple in history. LMAO. You were the first non-favorable review I received that I actually laughed at. Your honesty knows no bounds and I can't thank you enough for it. Don't lose that trait, no matter what people say about it. I hope Book Goddess Reviews blows up and you become an in-demand blogger. I'm still bringing you my books, whether you like them or not. LOL
Stephanie White, you are a freakin' genius. Your work is amazing and sells my books. Thank you for taking me on as a client. Your covers kick ass.
Jennifer Roberts-Hall, you are amazing. You stepped in for me in a pinch, turned my story into something beautiful and coherent, all while making it easy for me. You can edit any and all books that I write. Thank you.
To my family and friends. Your support has been amazing. You sometimes expect the people closest to you to automatically support your endeavors, but sadly, that doesn't always happen. Those of you who have read my work, spread the word, and encouraged me--I don't have the words to properly thank you. Hopefully one day, this little desert girl will make it big, and I will personally thank every single one of you for helping me on my way to the top.
Finally, to my husband and kids, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to chase this little dream of mine. I know some days I am stuck in front of my computer and the house gets neglected, instant meals are made, and it seems that I no longer exist, but I couldn't do what I do without the love, patience, and understanding from the three of you. I promise, I am working hard to make a better life for us. Please stay on this ride with me, I'm hoping to make it worth your while.
I love you all and I will continue to write the stories that bang on the walls of my head. I hope you will all continue to ride along with me. Thank you!