Surrendering (50 page)
Authors: Ahren Sanders
Tags: #Romance, #Musicians, #adult, #contemporary romance
*****
Finn
She’s so beautiful when she sleeps. Well, she’s beautiful all the time. But when she sleeps, she looks serene. I know I’m a bastard. And I’m pretty sure when she finds out why I’m here, she’ll kill me, but I can’t stay away. I was willing to walk away and let her have her happily ever after with Declan Collins, but he did an epic job of screwing that up. As soon as she told me what was going on with Declan and Paris, I called James and asked him to get me involved with this summer project. James was curious at first, but I think he finally figured me out. Shit, it took me long enough to admit it.
I told the guys shortly after. Out of all of them, Robbie was the most encouraging. His only concern was Raven’s happiness. Truth be told, that’s all that matters to me too. If she chooses to go back to Declan, at least I know I tried and I laid out all my cards. I am in love with Ravenel James Hayes and I have almost two months to prove to her how much.
Acknowledgments~
When I stared this journey, I was naïve enough to think I could write a book, create a cover, and self- publish without breaking a sweat. Boy was I wrong! Suddenly I became nervous about putting my story out there with all the amazing up-and-coming authors. Then I sat back and thought through what I wanted my story to portray. I wanted an extreme make up of secondary characters and family lives. I wanted to touch on families and friendships that are relatable. And I WANTED to show the heartbreak that first love can cause.
I had some incredible support from the beginning from the few people who knew I was going to follow this dream. Even if I never hit ‘publish’ on the screen, my story was going to be written. Michelle and Jennifer, I hope you know how much your support pushed me forward.
Writing the story was just the beginning because I knew I needed help to get the best end result possible. I started following more blogs, watching the social media sites for ideas and contacts, and reaching out to Authors for advice. For those of you that responded, I am forever grateful and truly respect you and your work.
First and Foremost, I have to thank Vi Keeland. I love you lady! Without your guidance, I would still be searching through articles on the web on how to’s. Your insight, knowledge, creativity, and support is irreplaceable in my heart. You’ve taken so much time with me and walked me through so many unknowns, that I would absolutely not be here without you. You’re an amazing author and your advice on edits and content was and will continue to be priceless. I am honored to call you my friend and mentor.
Kim Karr, you’ve been amazing to me. From our first few emails when I was blogging about your book and then your enthusiasm about my story, it was humbling. Thank you so much for letting me use River in my story for a cameo.
Katy Evans, you encouraged me to reach out to this community which led me to some wonderful friendships. I loved Remy from the day
Real
was published and continue to pimp him now.
Gail McHugh, I appreciate all the messages and advice you gave freely. I’m so proud and excited for your new journey.
Evette Ashby, you were so much more than a beta reader and I appreciate you hanging in there through so many edits, revisions, and changes. Your assistance on my synopsis, biography, and cover decisions helped me push through. There were so many times I was confused and weary and you swooped in with advice from a reader/audience standpoint that guided me to this finished product. Even though you’re a speed reader, THANK GOD for your attention to detail. If anyone ever asked me, I would tell them it is critical to have someone like you on their team.
I received so many reassuring messages from others through Goodreads and Facebook that helped me in my most insecure days. Thanks to you all.
My editors, Heather Sowalla at Windy Hill Editing and Brandy Little at Little Bee’s, your hard work is appreciated beyond belief. Thank you for taking my mess of words and making it flow through to my readers.
The ladies in our New Indies Club, your advice and continuous knowledge helped me more than you know. I appreciate your words of wisdom!
To my Beauty Beta’s, thank you doesn’t seem like enough. You let me into your reading world without a clue to who I was. Evette, Amber, Vanna, Sally, and Marcia, I am lucky to have found you! I’m not ready to share but I would recommend your knowledge and opinions to anyone.
Laurynne at CBL Book Reviews, I owe you a dinner girl! You not only supported me but helped me find the first people I trusted to read my MS. I look forward to working together on more projects.
Debra at Book Enthusiast, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your work on my cover reveal. You put me in touch with some amazing bloggers and support groups in the self- publishing community. I have made some wonderful relationships because of your assistance.
And finally, I COULD not have done this without the support of my wonderful husband and daughter. Dan, you are so loved. You have given me such unconditional support throughout this process, I can’t repay you. The late nights, the early mornings, the endless bottles of wine, and the words to help me through my meltdowns. You and AJ are the reason I want to pursue this dream.
And finally, to all the readers, I hope you enjoy this story and fall in love the characters as I have.
THANK YOU!
Please visit me online:
www.goodreads.com/ahrensanders
Meet the Author
Ahren spent her formative years living in an active volcano. There her family made collectible lava art. She studied rock collecting at the Sorbonne in France. There she met the love of her life-her pet pig Sybil. She returned to the states and started writing. She is happily married to a guy who used to live under a bridge and she met while pole-dancing. They have one amazing daughter.
Now, meet the real me. I’m a wife, mother, and full-time Human Resource Specialist. Living on the Florida coast, my family spends a lot time at the beach which is my favorite place to get lost in books. I started writing my first novel, Surrendering, in the spring of 2013 and have received incredible support from the Indie community. I’m so excited to share my story and hope you enjoy meeting Raven, Declan and their crazy flock of friends.
Table of Contents
Chapter 2- Dinner with the Girls
Chapter 12- Let Me Take Care of You
Chapter 13- Tell Me I’m Not Imagining This
Chapter 14- Tell Me What You Want
Chapter 24- The Feeling is Mutual
Chapter 38- Guilt is Killing Me