The Perception
Page 31
“How are my girls?” Max drawled out behind me.
“We’re good, aren’t we, Faith?”
She blew a raspberry, making me laugh.
I bent down to get her diaper off, my shirt riding up. Max’s hand was on the bared skin immediately. I looked at his wrist, seeing the arrow tattoo he had inked shortly after we had gotten married. Unlike mine, his had an endpoint on one end, marked with a “K,” and an arrow tip on the other. He said that he wasn’t looking back; this was his reminder that his life started with me.
His palm laid against my new ink. It was a vine, similar but much smaller than Max’s. Incorporated in the design was a purple orchid, a daisy, the birth flower for Faith, a “Q” for Quinn, and a compass for Max.
I had agonized over what to put to symbolize Max on the vine; nothing felt right. The night before my appointment, I was tracing the compass on his back and it hit me.
Max was many things to me. He was my friend, my lover, my soulmate.
My guiding force.
Just like a compass, I could turn to him to find my way home.
To him.
Because Max Quinn was my home.
I’m a bit overwhelmed.
I never thought, in a million years, I’d be writing the acknowledgements for my second novel. But I am. And for that, I have you to thank.
Yes, you.
I know you have a ton of choices out there and I appreciate you giving me a chance. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I’m going to thank my family and then go alphabetical because I get all nervous about trying to prioritize these type of things and, let’s face it, my nerves are shot.
Mr. Locke & the Little Locke’s—My life. My world. You’re everything to me. I can’t say it any other way. Love you most.
Mom—Well, you’ve read my work. Not only that, you seem to have a real affinity for Max, giving me storyline ideas and offering to make our family dinner while I write. You’re the best. I love you.
Peggy & Rob—I thank my lucky stars every day that I have you. Your excitement when you found out I was writing, your unending support has been more than I could ever imagine. I love you guys.
Kari—There just isn’t enough space to say all the things I want to say. I appreciate you, I respect you, and I love you. I hope you like your story (and sorry the sangria scene didn’t make it!). :(
Annette—Thank you for finding time to beta for me. Your input was incredibly helpful and I appreciate your attention to my project.
Beverly—You have been so good to me. There is something so honest and genuine about your spirit that I’ve always been pulled to. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and believing in me. It means the world to me to have you in my corner, not necessarily as a writer but as a true friend.
Chandra—Every time I turn around, you’re tagging me! You make me smile every day with your relentless enthusiasm for Cane and Max. Thank you!
Christine—Once again, you made my words beautiful. I can send you my files and know you’ll make them more appealing than I even imagine. I appreciate you. *squeezes you*
Dawn—My beautiful friend, thank you for always checking on me and having a second to calm me down when I’m panicking. I appreciate you. *clears throat* You should really write your own book. ;)
Heather—Thank you for your absolute honesty when it came to The Perception. You push me, keep me grounded, keep me in line and in-the-know. Quite frankly, I couldn’t function without you. For real. (And you can thank me later for making sure your phone auto-corrects properly.)
Jamie—From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all you do for me. Even more, thank you for who you are. There’s no other way to put it.
Jennifer—Ah, sistah. I’ll always link this book with you and our conversations, arguments, battles, and laughs. It’s cliche, but I honestly couldn’t have done this without you. I know it’s been a long year for you, but remember that the Patriots won the Super Bowl. It’s a sign from above. <3 Oh—when Boston finds other things to do, you know it’s not too late. . . . Ha!
Jillian—My sweet friend, my sissy!, thank you for . . . everything. You encourage, support, and cheer on those you love without fail. Your friendship is pure and I’m lucky to have you in my corner.
Joy—I think you might just have been Max’s first lover! Your messages, “I see we have been adding to the playlist,” make me laugh and smile. Thank you for encouraging me and staying so involved in what I’m doing. You’ll never know the difference it’s made.
Kristi—You are seriously so sweet. You are such a good person and such a fantastic blogger. I love your optimism and love of books, your kind heart shows in all that you do. I love you.
Julie—This book brought us closer together. Not just through your beta notes or love for Max, but on a personal level. I love you and your heart. Forever.
Lara—One of the best cheerleaders out there! Thank you for your phone calls, for finding time to read, and for encouraging me to publish. And, of course, for “Lara’s Notes”! ;)
Laura—What do I thank you for first? For finding time to fit me in your crazy busy schedule, maybe? Or the notes that really shaped this book? Or the laughs or just the fun conversations we’ve had? Either way—thank you. <3
Lori—Thank you for reading during your kitchen renovation madness and falling in love with both my boys!
Mandi—How do I love thee? Let me count thy ways . . . I’d say you are my sprinting partner or my Pres or a variety of other things and none of them would capture all you are to me. But we have the new admin, so there’s that. ;) I love you and that’s a #fuckfact.
Mary B—You have been such a support to me, believing in me and showing me such friendship throughout this. I’m so glad we met through these crazy books.
Mary Ruth—You blow my mind with your quote pics and your sweet disposition. I love you and could never explain how many times I’ve smiled because of something you’ve posted or messaged me. I wish I could rock red lipstick like you, by the way.
Michele—You’re getting better at taking a thank you, so we’ve made progress through this process! Ha! You are a great beta and a great encourager, but you’re an even greater friend. Books or no books, you’re in my life to stay.
Missy—You didn’t kill me! LMAO! Thank you for your eye and attention to detail and for working me in your schedule at the last minute. I’ve learned so much during this process, including to be prepared when I open your messages! ;)
Misty—Every morning I log on and you are sharing the Cane and Max love! I don’t know how I got so lucky to find you, but thank God I did. Thank you for all you do for me.
Ninfa—My sunshine! You are such a bright light, such a pure, genuine, passionate person that I look up to. Your optimism and faith, your strength is something I lean on probably too much. Thank you for carrying me when I get tired.
Robin—Thank you for your unending support! You are always willing to help a girl out and I could never thank you enough for that.
Seraphina—The Blurb Queen! :) You’ve welcomed me into your world with open arms. You’ve included me in things when I felt so left out I nearly cried. You are so amazing in so many ways. Thank you for being my guide, my mentor, but most of all, my friend.
Susan—I’ll never forget the night you called me. I was folding clothes and you basically talked me out of scrapping everything I’d written. You take the time to go beyond the “beta” or “Facebook friend” and I could never find the words to describe my appreciation for that and so many other things. I love your face.
SE Dean—Oh, lady. I’m laughing as I type this. God knows you deserve a medal for answering my crazy questions during this book! I owe you so much. *squeezes you tight*
Shaunda—You’re such an asset to the book community and to my life. You’ve created such a warm group, Smut Sisters Orgasmic Book Club, and never hesitate to help out those you love. I love you.
Stephanie—I don’t even know where to st
art. I could say I’m blessed to know you, but that would only scratch the surface. You are such a beautiful woman and a beautiful soul. Thank you for always asking how I am, for answering all my questions (I went with tamales), and for being TejasGirl. <3
Tori—My #click! I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we are on the same path, almost day-for-day. I look up to you, admire you, and hope to be half as strong as you some day.
My Instagram Girls—
@charliehunnamforever,
@kinkygirlsbookobsession,
@bitches.love.it,
@fernandezfamily,
@73jem,
@bookit18,
@book_ish_life,
@read.all.the.books,
@love50shadesx,
@tiffany.the.bibliophile,
@carolinegurgel,
@evajez,
@authorellymarin,
@crayal,
@reader_luv_books—,
@tmunn396,
@sanddraxo,
@cozy_dita,
@bookobsessedgirl,
@deedeelb66,
@s.n.m.23_31,
@heatherlynb1988,
@4marylee13,
@lovebooksquotes,
@sucker_for_books,
@bookangels_,
@lovekellankyle, and @jengare.
You ladies make my life silly, inspiring, hot, and just . . . better. Keep bringing it every day! Instagram is my new favorite because of you! <3
Books By Adriana Locke—My girls! You all have been so, so enthusiastic about getting Max’s book. You’re an amazing group of women that I am so humbled to have around me. Thank you for the comments and posts, for the laughs and smiles. I’ll never be able to thank you for the brightness you bring to my life.
Last but certainly not least, there have been a number of bloggers that have went out of their way to get the word out:
Summer’s Book Blog, ABWO, J&J Southern Spice, Love Between the Sheets, The Review Loft, Booked Every Night, Those Naughty Girls, The Book Bellas, Kristi’s Book Cellar, Two Book Pushers, Reading in Sarah’s Corner, Our Bookstars, Fictional Rendezvous, Rumpled Sheets, Megpie93, Babbling Chatter, Author Groupies, Endless Epeolatry, Book Bud, Blushing Babes Up All Night, Book Lovers Obsession, Two Crazy Girls, 1 Chick and her Kindle, Ms. C’s Diversions, The Book Nuts, Cool Hookers, Sweet & Sassy Bookaholics, East Coast Book Chicks, United Indie Book Blog, Undercover Book Reviews, Sassy Divas, Eskimo Princess, Angie’s Dreamy Reads, Crazii Bitches, Books & Beyond FSOG, Besties and Books, Red Cheeks Reads, New Chicks on the Block, Night & Day Book Blog, Smut Book Junkie, Uniquec’s Book Blog, Wine & Relax, Chicks 4 Books, Geekery Book Blog, One Chick, BestSellers BestStellars, Book Gurus, Lookin’ for a Bookin’, Smart & Sassy with Stephanie, Trulee V's Spot, All I Read, Love Memories, FMR Book Grind, Sugar Shack, Ninoshkka, New Chicks On The Block, Kylie's Fiction Addiction, Cool Hookers, Fictional Mens Room for Book Hos, The Divas Book Lounge, One-Click Addict Support Group, Book Whores For Life, & Smut Sisters Orgasmic Book Club and the multitude of other blogs that have so generously given their time and effort in support of me and my writing.
I love you all.
xo,
Addy
Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.
She lives in the Midwest with her family and spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. Her favorite things include sunshine, candy, and random quotes.
The Perception is her second novel. The Exception, her first, is available on all platforms. Sacrifice, a standalone, will be released Summer 2015.
Purchase The Exception from Amazon
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