Above the Noise (53 page)

“Now, I
absolutely
want to hold that baby! Sheesh!” Samantha huffed, walked right over and stole Abby from Gracie and we all laughed.

If the love that was held within our little living room that day could be bottled, there would be world peace. But, I’d settle for it simply being our little piece of Heaven.

Absolute.

I LOVE YOU
, Ken Brownlow! Yeah, you’re the reason I have the nerve to put my heart on paper and send it out to the masses. Thank you, for encouraging me and supporting me and listening to hours and hours of one-sided conversations with myself as I hash out a plot twist. I’m living my dream because you believe in me.

Thanks to my family for always asking about my progress… it’s what keeps me going. Tiff, it thrills me to no end that you love what I do. And thanks, Mom and Dad, for being proud of me, even when I write the “spicy” scenes.

Matthew and Emily, I couldn’t have named all the characters and bands without you.

Izaiah, you’re only eight and you already “get” what I do. And when you’re frustrated with me and yell, “Mom! Just go write your book!” to get me off your back, I have to admit, I love it!

All the artists that make the amazing music on the playlist for this book have the MKB seal of approval (like they need it that from ME). Especially, to the men of Pearl Jam, thank you for making music that touches lives and inspires the soul and thank you for being the inspiration for this series!

Pete Griesbach, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my very own ROCK STAR RESOURCE! I couldn’t have gotten all the details right without you! Sidebar: If you’re reading this book and you’re a Pearl Jam fan, be sure to check out Pete’s Pearl Jam tribute band, LAST EXIT, they’re from Long Island, and they’re super awesome!

A huge thanks goes out to the bands of State College, past and present; Bones, Man Alive, and Spider Kelly for your inspiration for Alternate Tragedy. And Eric, thanks for being the inspiration for Calon.

Michele, Nicole, and Joe Joe, thank you for all your knowledge and answers to my Down syndrome questions and for the inspiration for Abigail. Love you.

Todd, thanks for being my SWAT COP RESOURCE. You really come in handy. Hope all my texts didn’t keep you from hauling in the bad guys.

A huge thank you to all my friends and acquaintances who inspired this series’ cast of characters! Ken, Jeni, Lauren, Todd, Mike, John, Shirley, Todd P., Michelle (RIP), cheers to each and every one of you for the parts you’ve played in my life! I can’t thank you enough for your friendship and love.

Ashley Erin, thank you for being Sam’s girlfriend! <3

Bruce, thanks for the
badum-ching
lesson a la Gene Krupa.

Thank you to all my fans who ask for more on a daily basis and to all my author friends who answer my questions and breathe life into my creativity when I need it. And thank you to the authors I fangirl over… you inspire me!

And to my BEAUTIFUL BETAS—Jenee Gibbs, Heather Davenport, and Holly Baker—I love you all SO FREAKIN’ HARD for the passion you have for romance and the love you have for my little group of characters!

Thanks to Heather at Book Plug Promotions for all the work you put into my launch, cover reveal, release and book tour. You’re amazing at what you do, and I’m thrilled we are friends. Thank you, Liz at Book Peddler’s Editing, for all the time you spent editing this book. Your editing talents far surpassed anything I expected. And, thanks to Angela at Fictional Formats for your beautiful formatting talents. It’s business owners like the three of you who make our dreams reality! Thank you!

And, of course to the gorgeous “Lorenzo C” for his beautiful face that graces this cover.