Take Heart (22 page)

First and foremost, let me start by thanking the incredible Lisa Cerasoli. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I couldn’t have asked for a better editor. You’re absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for all of your notes, dedication, hard work, honesty, and praise. You repeatedly pushed me to do better, and the book greatly improved because of it. Also, a big thank you goes out to your fabulous assistants, too! Thanks, Danielle, the book looks great.

To Stephanie White of Steph’s Cover Design, who created the most beautiful masterpiece in the history of all book covers. I’m absolutely in love with it! It’s not what I imagined it would be...it’s even better.

To Dr. Ken Atchity, who accepted Lisa’s pitch and took a chance on me and this crazy book. I’m well aware that many people never get this opportunity, and I don’t take it for granted. I’m so thrilled to be involved with Story Merchant Books, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us!

To the various bloggers who have supported me along the way. You ladies have been a HUGE help and an invaluable asset—specifically; True Story Book Blog, Chicks Controlled by Books, Sassy Divas Book Blog, Mean Girls Luv Books, Hooked on Books, The Book Bellas, and Bare Naked Words. And thanks to all you future bloggers, too!

To my closest girlfriends; Vicky Stafford, Rikki Schechinger, and Jamie Melton—for your continued support throughout the years, and for the time you’ve spent reading and critiquing this novel—you are the best kind of friends that anyone could ever ask for. I’m so lucky to have you in my life.

To my parents, who taught me from a very young age that I can be whatever I want to be as long as I’m willing to work hard for it. Mom—the reason I dream so big is because of you. Thank you for being my biggest fan and loudest cheerleader.

To my brother, Zach Smith, for the advice, encouragement, critiques, and for being the primary inspiration for Chase and Meg’s sibling dynamic. Your review of my work still makes me laugh:
“Everyone in this book is crass as fuck.”
From you, that’s a compliment. Thanks, bud. For real.

To Ben Pratt, who was there through all the smiles, the tears, the hard work, the venting sessions, the elation, the drunken blunders, and the dream chasing. Thank you for taking me seriously from the start, and for always sticking by my side. I love you, babe.

To all my other family members and friends—what an amazing support system—I love you all dearly.

And last, but most certainly not least, thank you to every reader who took a chance on this book. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Your support means the world to me. Without you, I would not be able to do this. Thank you for making my dream come true!

Lauren Michelle Smith was raised in the small Midwestern town of Alleman, Iowa—a town where everyone knows everyone, and where detasseling corn is just another summer job. To the surprise of many of her Cyclone-cheering friends and her family, Lauren eventually found herself in the metropolis of Iowa City where she studied Psychology at the University of Iowa. The notion of becoming a published author was put on the back burner. Then during one of many cold, autumn night study sessions, a seemingly platonic friendship with her nerdy roommate blossomed into something more.

Two semesters and a Bachelor's degree later, Lauren drove a thousand miles to Austin, Texas to chase the love of her life. She applied to Graduate school with hopes of breaking into the field of therapy, but was kindly turned away. This would turn out to be a blessing both financially and artistically.

While the view out her window changed from horizons to highways, books remained a constant in her life. She began writing with hopes of giving other people the same inspiration, connection, and escape that reading has given her, using her own life experience as a loose template.

When she's not reading or writing, Lauren is the nanny to two adorable little kiddos. And by day’s end; a hot pizza, an ice cold beer, and snuggling with her man to a great movie is her version of paradise.

You can find Lauren on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorLaurenMichelleSmith

Email:

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Follow her on Goodreads at: www.goodreads.com/author/show/8184326.Lauren_Michelle_Smith