All The Letters I’ve Ever Read
Page 17
“And I vow to always. You took a piece of my heart then I slowly started giving the rest over. Now all I know is that I never want it back. I want you to hold it in your callused hands in the tender way you hold me.”
I hook my free pinky into hers so we’re facing each other and only entwined with the softest and slightest of touch.
“I vow to love you, Mina, the way you love me. With easy understanding, and patience. Making sure that the love I give lifts us both and lights the world on fire.”
Her shoulders shake as she tucks her chin to hide her tears. I reach up with my finger bent and raise her face to meet mine. I’ve saved her letters all these years, the ones that I was able to find anyway, even the ones from Tanner, and I’ve saved her words for last.
“Mina, I vow to love you in the quiet moments most of all.”
I always find acknowledgements insanely hard to write. I dunno, maybe it’s because they end up sounding the same because my team is fantastic and I’ve only added more exceptional people to it in recent months. Maybe it’s because I can’t truly express the depth and breadth of my gratitude and love—what can I say, personal feelings are hard…
I’ll give it a shot though—no one reads acknowledgements anyways, right?
First and foremost, I have to thank my meow-meows. I wrote these books after a very difficult time in my life and my girlfriends are the ones that got me through. Courtney is a very real human and one of the best friends I could ever ask for. Not only does she show endless love and support for me, my work, but SHE SHOT ALL MY COVER IMAGES! And before I knew what I needed. It’s like we share a little piece of the same soul. She is there any time, for any reason, and believes in surviving and thriving on creativity; she constantly pushes me to keep going and be better. Mandy is my nurturing mama goddess force that believes in my even when I don’t. The warmth that surrounds her is incomparable and her loyalty is unequaled. There are no two better women, let alone friends. They inspire me. Along with Sasha and Kellogg these guys have my whole heart. I make it through because of them. These books made it through because of them.
Dyllan, Harloe and Jill are the holy trinity of book friendships (and please note, they’re no different then real friendships, these three just like my books more than my other friends). Together they form this amazing and awe inspiring trio of cheerleaders that make my work better and make me bolder. They guide me and reinforce my path. They are unwavering in their support and strength. I literally could not publish books without them. I refuse to find out what that might be like.
Amanda, KC, Karrie and Morgen are such delights in my life. Both new friends and old friends, they all took the time to read these books, digest them and help me make them better. Their reading eyes, kind words and loving hearts help power this journey in a way I hope they realize. In a way I hope I genuinely express. I am grateful for each of them.
Kathleen, my editor extraordinaire, is brilliant and kind but I promise not to tell anyone. I wouldn’t want to ruin her reputation. Suffice it to say that I refuse to write books without her or her opinions, guidance and wisdom. Though as much as I love her, I’m not going to stop putting puke in my books ;)
Talia is a wizard. She makes beauty so accessible so flawlessly. It’s an honor to have her work on my covers. No one has ever captured my visions so flawlessly and improved my concepts in a way that is utterly breathtaking and seamless.
Stacey also makes amazing and beautiful things. She’s a new friend but an incredibly valued one. Thank you for making art of my words quite literally.
My husband and my family don’t read my books, they definitely won’t read this far, but they are unwavering pillars of love and support. They blindly believe in my talent and that says something absolutely wonderful about all of them. I’m grateful that they put up with the endless plinking of keys late into the night or during their favorite TV shows. I’m grateful for them, plain and simple.
To my readers… where do I even start with you guys? Sometimes I feel like I only exist because you guys read my work. Please know I read each review, see each edit, and treasure them. I treasure you. I meant it when I said that you guys inspired me to get back into writing even when the words wouldn’t come. Your patience in 2019 was unending, your support too. I can only hope that my first books back in 2020 lived up to your expectations. They’re first and foremost for me, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say they are dedicated to you because of all you’ve done.
Ace Gray is a best selling author, self-proclaimed troublemaker and connoisseur of both the good life and fairy tales. After a life-long love affair with both books, she undertook writing the novel she wanted to read. Ten books later, she’s gotten to live in the world of billionaires, twisted murders, and sweet small towns. She’s made her heart race both with suspense and serious swoon and wouldn’t trade one minute, one word of it.
When she’s not writing, she owns a taco truck in a ski town in Colorado even though she can’t cook a lick (that’s all her husband). She loves paddle boarding, snowboarding, camping, basically anything outside… and hosting dinner parties (though she’s only in it for the drinks). Oh, and of course, writing more words.
Ace is the author of Strictly Business, Bad For Business, Family Business, Twisted Fate, Twisted Death, A Twisted Love Story, Twisted Secrets, Of Smoke & Cinnamon: A Christmas Story, Pretty Young Things, All The Letters I’ll Never Send You and All The Letters I’ve Ever Read. These titles are available on Amazon.
Ace’s Mailing List
Ace’s Reader Group, The Ladyfaces
On Facebook
On Instagram
On BookBub
On Goodreads
On Amazon