Searching for Tomorrow (Tomorrows) (29 page)

Highlands, NC is a real town, and most of the businesses mentioned exist there. If you were so inclined, you could trace Tripp and Wrynn’s trail from Bridal Veil Falls to Dry Falls, and all the way to the top of Jones Knob. As far as I know, Mother Tidw
ell does not exist
.
At least we can hope so. The panic attacks described in this book are based solely on my own personal experience. If you’ve never had one, be thankful. They are as scary as they sound.

Wounded Warrior Project (
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
) is committed to serving wounded veterans of this generation that bear both the visible and invisible wounds of wars from burns and amputations, traumatic brain injuries and paralysis, to combat stress, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Continuity and consistency of care are important components of their recovery and these components were threatened by the government's inaction. Every day the shutdown continued, it diverted attention from important areas of veterans care that require our immediate focus and attention including access to mental health care, the now increased backlog of claims and other issues of long-term care.
(This information was taken from the website.)

Locks of Love (
http://www.locksoflove.org/
) is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers. Our mission is to return a sense of self, confidence, and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need. (This information was taken from the website)

In doing research, I found tons of information about the U.S. Army, and spoke with two gentlemen whose wisdom and knowledge show up in these pages. If the information is correct, Marcus Craig and Randy Underwood get all of the credit. In the event the information is wrong, I promise you that’s entirely all my fault. At times, I stretched things just to fit the story line, and in no way, shape, or form should this deviation be considered disrespect for the military. I am thankful for each and every person who has answered the call to defend and protect this great nation, and please know that I pray for you and your families daily.

Ava Smith and Jane Barron
helped me with Mr. Jasper’s Scottish. Again, any errors made there were made by me. I was told it needed to be Americanized a little bit, so I’m pretty certain I probably messed it up. Regardless, a Scottish brogue is so freaking dreamy, so even if it’s wrong, it still sounds good in my head. Thanks ladies for helping a stranger!

Gosh, don’t you just hate tho
se author acknowledgements that just won’t stop! It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. Let me tell you something. It takes a village to raise an Indie author. This has been one of the most exciting and scary journeys that I have ever been on, but I wouldn’t change one thing.

Thanks to my Heavenly Father who has richly and abundantly blessed me.

Jennifer Heatherly and Wendy Thomas, my personal Jen and Wendy, two-thirds of the Three Musketeers. Thanks for being there from start to finish, for early morning bagels and coffee, for playing taxi and hostess to my Elizabeth, and for loving me enough to force me out of the house when anxiety and depression become almost too much to bear. Your encouragement and support has meant everything to me, and my world would be a much darker place without the two of you. When you say you love me, I know it’s a fact because you put feet and hands to your love through your actions. Wherever life may take us, know that I am truly your friend for life, kinda like that gum that is stuck to you shoe. I love you both!

JB McGee is the first person I met on my Indie journey, and I can tell you right now, I would not have started this book without her encouragement, support, and advice. I will forever be in her debt for pushing me to ‘just sit down and write. Worry about the rest of it later.’ Wise words!

Crystal Spears was the second person that I met. She is officially my baby girl and I’m her Southern Mama. Girl, you have put up with me through so much, and you’ve never once left my side or let me down. Thank you will never be enough to express my gratitude. You’re not only my peer, you’re also one of the bestest gals that I know, and I love you! Never forget that.

Debi Barnes, or as some of us know her, Dominatrix Debi. You’ve never once hesitated to tell me to shut my whining up, but you’ve also been the glue that has held me together. You’ve managed my time for me, and given me goals and encouragement.
When I’ve needed to shut down and back off, you’ve stepped up to the plate to make sure that everything is covered in my absence. Girl, you keep cracking that whip. We’ve got another book to write, so get ready! I can’t do it without you! I look forward to talking to you EVERY morning.

Lori Underwood. OMGosh! Girl, I don’t even know where to start with you. You’re like in my brain or something and that is so
, very scary! Just saying. Your sarcasm and wit keep my world turning on its axis, and I love the way you keep me up to date with Baby Leah. Yes, I am going to paint polka dots on her nails, so just get over it. And, she and I are gonna whip your tail at UNO. Seriously, though, you are amazing and wonderful, and I am so glad that we met. I can’t imagine going through all of this without you!

Lea
Burn or whatever your name is today! You have spent so much time brainstorming with me to make this story line work. AND you spent so much time cleaning up my errors. She’s beautiful, and I thank you for that. Thanks for being my cheerleader and companion on this journey. Now, if I’m not mistaken, there is a story or two in your head that need to come out. Trust me, you just need to sit down and write. Worry about the rest of it later. I promise that I’ll hold your hands like you’ve held mine, and we’ll walk the path together.

Lara Feldstein, you convinced me that Liam (Zack)
needed his own book, so you’d better get ready to see your name in lights. Thanks for all the awesome pictures when my brain paused and providing music to inspire me. You’ve kept me motivated and excited, and I couldn’t have done it without you.

Julie Deaton, you’re my twin. You get me like no one else does. Your constant encouragement is a true blessing, and I can never thank you enough.
Just know that all your hard work and willingness to help doesn’t go unnoticed. We’re GRITS, right? Love ya!

Sloan
Johnson or whatever you’re calling yourself today. Yeah. I went there. You are a fierce defender and an amazing friend. Thanks for letting me bend your ear and for talking me off a ledge or two. You rock, sista!

Kicking beta readers make the world go round for me. I would like to thank the following people for ALL of your hard work, dedication, and help to make SFT what it is today. Your suggestions were so amazing, and I loved working with each of you. I hope you’ll stay on for Liam’s story, because I KNOW that I’ll need your help! These names are in no particular order
. (Yes, I copied them from the beta group page. Y’all know me too well!) Julie Deaton, Lea Marika, JC Emery, Jennifer Diaz, Kristina Amit, Amber Vaughn, Debi Barnes, Elle Wilson, Kathy Kindler, LU Ann, Lara Feldstein, Nicki DeStasi, Stacia Newbill, Mel Ballew, Jessica Louise, and Kimi Flores.

Last, but certainly not least. Jennifer Diaz and Amber Vaughn sure as heck know how to put together an efficient street team. I truly could not do this without you girls. As of right now, the street team members are as follows: Author L. Chapman, Jennifer Diaz, B.A. Wolfe, Kimberly Trivette, LU Ann, Kris Chipman, Ann McBride, Amy Garland, Sarah Larson, A.J. Warner, Kathy Kindler, Amber Vaughn, Nicki DeStasi, Julie Deaton, Loretta Richardson, Beverly Jenkins, and Susan West.
Thank you so much for believing in me enough to want to be here with me. Good things are coming, and I can’t wait for us to get to experience them together
.


If you are reading this, I think you should know that ‘About the author’ sounds so very pretentious to me. I guess that is what I am supposed to write about, so here it goes!

Kathryn is a simple country girl who likes to spend time with her hubba, hunka hubby, her three kids, and her friends. She loves to cook and really loves to eat! During the spring and summer, you will more than likely find her outside puttering around in her garden. When the veggies start coming in, she will probably be sweating over a hot canner in the kitchen, canning all the goodies she is blessed with. Kathryn likes to hike and go camping, and as a Girl Scout leader, she gets to do this pretty often! On cold winter nights, you will probably find her wrapped in a warm blanket, lost in a good book, while sitting in her rocking chair on the front porch!

Kathryn was born and raised in North Carolina, and while she loves to travel, she can't imagine ever leaving the mountains that she has come to call home. Not a day goes by that Kathryn doesn't thank God for abundantly blessing her. He has been so good to her, and she is very grateful. She holds Jeremiah 29:11 very close to her heart and believes it with every fiber of her being. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Kathryn loves flip-flops, chocolate, sweet tea and dirt between her toes. As far back as she can remember, she's had a book in her hand
s. Reading has carried her to places she will never go. It has introduced her to people that she will never meet. When life is great and when it is rough, she's always been able to find a book to carry her through. She finally decided to write down some of the stories in her head (yes, be scared) and heart after dawdling around and wasting years dreaming. She hopes you enjoy reading those stories as much as she loves writing them!

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/KathrynMCrane

Website:
http://kmcrane.blogspot.com/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/KCrane_katiemac

November 2013

If the decisions you make don’t define you,

What price would you pay to change them?

“Close your eyes. This is the darkness I see, I feel, I live because of my choices."

I spent my life running. Running from my past. A past that changed my life, robbed me of my childhood, and bound me for a life of silence. Silence protected me from further hurt. When I couldn't control my life, I found reprieve in my silence. Dark, cold silence. I’m trapped, trying to find my way out, trying to make a stand, trying to finally live; but is it too late?

Lacey Edwards fought emotional turmoil most of her life. She made choices that unknowingly put her through more painstaking heartache. She found bits and pieces of happiness in all the wrong areas except for one. This one gave her hope for a fresh new life full of promises. Could she hold onto it, or would it slip through her fingertips?

***Warning*** Mature content. Not appropriate for audiences 17 years and under. This novel contains explicit language, sexual situations, abuse and social issues that some might find offensive.