Read Catch a Falling Star Online
Authors: Unknown
nings. Even when other people thought we were writing them
wrong. I didn’t know if Adam and I could make our separate
worlds work in the future, but for today — we had a tour to
finish.
Not everyone liked a Hollywood ending.
But I did. As long as it was
my
Hollywood ending.
Adam tilted his perfect movie-star head and gave me his signa-
ture brand of puppy-dog eyes. “Come on. What can I say, Carter
Moon? I missed you.”
I melted. “Where’s Mik?” I tossed the rag I’d been holding
onto a nearby table.
“I gave Mik the day off.”
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“Isn’t that a security problem?”
“I’ll risk it.” He held out his arms, and I walked through our
gate and into them.
Adam pulled me to him, and his scent of spice and clean
soap engulfed me. I inhaled as he bent down to me. When he
kissed me, his lips covered mine, warm and real, my body, my
heart, everything — fireworks. And I knew this kiss was real.
That it was meant for me. Not Small-Town Girl. Not Tabloid
Girlfriend. Me.
No, this moment wasn’t a movie.
It was better.
Because this moment was mine.
So I leaned into him and kissed him back.
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acknowledgments
in life, we have our little galaxies sparkling with the stars who
love and support us. And I couldn’t have written
Catch a Falling
Star
without my shining stars. . . .
First, a huge thank you to my agent, Melissa Sarver, who,
when I said, I want to write about a small town, and our cultural
obsession with fame and achievement, and, oh yeah — I want to
make it a love story . . . and feature Christmas . . . and stargazing,
didn’t blink before encouraging me, and then guided me through
so many drafts of this novel. You’re amazing, Melissa. I’m also
grateful to Molly Jaffa and everyone over at Folio Literary
Management for their ongoing support.
I found my dream editor in Jody Corbett. Jody, you elevated this
book in your own swoon-worthy way. Also, thanks to the whole
team at Scholastic, with a special shout out to Roz Hilden, Elizabeth
Starr Baer, and Yaffa Jaskoll. As Jody says, it truly takes a village to
make a book. This has been an exceptionally nice village to dwell in.
And to my first readers: Michael Bodie, Gabrielle Carolina,
Kirsten Casey, Erin Dixon, Tanya Egan Gibson, Alison Jones-
Pomatto, and Loretta Ramos — you were all generous and honest
and kind in your early feedback of this book. I’m so grateful.
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I’m thankful to my two writing groups. My Monday mornings
with Annie, Jaime, and Kirsten — ladies, you know how much I
love you. And a group-hug to Mark, Bev, Jeff, Brad, and Annie
(you poor souls read too many openings of this book to count).
Also, thank you to Angie and Kit and everyone at The Book Seller.
I’m a lucky author to have a bookstore like you in my corner.
There were many elements of this book I couldn’t have tackled
without the support of the following people who were willing to
share their expertise: Chris Lewis (law enforcement); Emily
Gallup (understanding addiction and rehab cycles); Wendy, Santia,
and everyone at Center Stage Dance Studio; and Michael and Loretta
(your Hollywood and film knowledge saved me!). Any mistakes
are mine and not theirs.
As for the celestial details, I wanted to mention how much I
relied on NASA’s website as well as Universe Today to solidify the
random star facts swimming around in my brain that I’ve picked
up over the years. Extra thanks to Krista Witt for her science eye,
and also, thanks to the many friends and family (too many to list)
who sent me little anecdotes and star facts as I was writing this.
Carter has wonderful parents and I’m lucky to have the ones
who raised me as well as the ones who got stuck with me because
I married their son. Bill and Linda Culbertson and Dick and Daisy
Sagebiel — there is nothing quite like having people believe in you
unconditionally. Thank you.
And finally, the biggest thanks to Peter and Anabella, my star-
gazing companions. There is no one else with whom I’d rather
watch the sky.
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about the author
kim Culbertson is the author of
Instructions for a Broken Heart
,
a
Northern California Book Award winner; and
Songs for a Teenage
Nomad
. When she’s not writing young adult novels, she teaches
high school creative writing. Kim lives with her husband and
their daughter in Northern California. For more about Kim, visit
www.kimculbertson.com.
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