by Nicole Deese
“Chapter One . . .”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for your never-ending, all-consuming love that brings both purpose and passion to each manuscript I write. My life is yours.
Thank you to my husband, Tim Deese, who continues to set the example of unconditional love in our home on a daily basis. You are my heart.
Thank you to Kristin Avila, who listens and supports my ridiculously dramatic (and usually impromptu) story ideas while waiting in dark parking lots, eating in breakfast diners, and soaking our feet at our favorite nail salon. I love you oodles, friend!
Thank you to Britni Nash, who continually talks me off the ledge and leads me back to solid ground. Our Nutella Nights must never cease. I’m so grateful for friends who feel like family.
Thank you to Amy Matayo, who chats with me, laughs with me, commiserates with me, and most importantly, mentors me in this unique and crazy art of writing. You are fabulous, and I will never stop fan-girling over you. Ever. I heart you!
Thank you to Lara Brahms, who wins the award for most read-throughs of A Cliché Christmas. I love the way you discuss my characters like real people. Your texts and e-mails are my delight!
Thank you to my BFFs: Kacy Koffa and Kim Southwick. For being there—before, after, and during. How did I get lucky enough to have two besties? I’m still not sure, but I’d never trade either of you. You’re my constants.
Thank you to my wonderful family—the Thomases and the Deeses—and to my faithful friends, who are scattered all over the world. Your encouragement, love, and support have meant so much to me this last year. Your comforting arms have been my anchor as I’ve grieved the loss of my baby sister, Aimee Thomas, who died on November 25, 2013, in a car accident. I love each of you deeply.
Thank you to my beta readers: Amy Matayo, Ashley Brahms, Breana Lewis, Britni Nash, Jennifer Fromke, Kacy Koffa, Kimberly Crank, Kim Southwick, Kristin Avila, Lara Brahms, Nicki Davis, Nancy Kimball, Rebekah Zollman, Renee Deese, Tammy Gray, Varina Denman. You complete me. (Insert cheesy smiley face here.)
And last, but by no means least, thank you to my readers. You inspire me to write stories from my heart by allowing me the opportunity to win yours each time you pick up one of my books. Thank you for taking a chance on me once again. I’m forever in your debt.
SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you to my editors: Georgia Varozza for an awesome first read-through edit, and Kristin Mehus-Roe at Girl Friday Productions for her expertise and time as she worked out the kinks so this final product could shine.
Thank you to Tammy Faxel and Dan Byrne at Waterfall Press for one of the best phone calls of my life. Your words of validation and enthusiasm for my future as an author are forever etched upon my heart. I’m humbled and honored to be working with such an amazing publishing house.
Thank you to my agent, Jessica Kirkland at The Blythe Daniel Literary Agency, who is one of the greatest and multifaceted blessings in my life to date. Your wisdom, your determination, your attention to detail, your faith-filled heart, and your encouraging friendship are just a few of the reasons I’m honored to be represented by you.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1869.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2014 Renee Deese
Nicole Deese is a lover of fiction. When she isn’t writing—or daydreaming about writing—she can be found curled up and reading on a sofa. She often fantasizes about “reading escapes,” which look a lot like kid-free, laundry-free, and cooking-free vacations. A girl can dream, right?
Her debut novel, an inspirational contemporary romance, All For Anna, has hit multiple milestones since its release in January 2013, including a 4.7 star rating on Amazon and more than 150,000 downloads on Kindle. She has since completed the Letting Go series and is elbow-deep in a new series featuring both sisterly love and swoonworthy romance.
Nicole lives in Frisco, Texas, with her hunk of a husband, Tim, and her two rowdy boys, Preston and Lincoln.