What the Heart Takes (45 page)

Authors: Kelli McCracken

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What the Heart Takes
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to join my street team. There are perks to joining the team, so please come help us spread the word about the series.

Thanks again for taking this journey with me. Stay tuned for the rest…

About the Author

As a curator of characters, you’ll normally find
Kelli McCracken
sitting at her desk, working hard on her next novel. When she’s not arguing with those persistent people inside her head, you can find her hanging out on
Facebook
, chatting with readers about books and upcoming writing projects.

“It seems like all I ever do is write...and listen to Layne. He's always whispering something naughty in my ear, like being dipped in

chocolate. Now I'm craving a Kit-Kat. Welcome to my zany life, where sanity is optional, romance is required, and liquor is most definitely quicker. Jack Daniels keeps me sane, my characters, not so much.”

Kelli lives with her husband, four children, and her German Shepherd in the Ohio Valley Region in the United States. If you’d like to learn more about Kelli, please visit her on the Web at
www.kellimccracken.com

Contact Information

Kelli McCracken

Website

Dream Team (Street Team)

Facebook

Series Fan Page

Author Fan Page

Dylan McBride Fan Page

Layne Perry Fan Page

Twitter

Goodreads

Acknowledgments

Writing is a long, stressful process that is not as glamorous as some may think. The hours are grueling, the stress is horrendous, and there are days I’d like to hide under a rock. At the same time, it’s beautiful madness. It’s taking an idea and creating something that is moving and magical enough to transport readers to another place, another time. I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.

For me, writing is a remarkable journey that continues to grow every day, and that wouldn’t happen without some pretty amazing people in my life. Words can never express my gratitude to each and every person who has helped me along the way, but please know how much each of you mean to me.

To my husband, for changing my life from the very day I met you, for loving me when I’m very hard to love, and for helping me be all that I can possibly be. You are my rock, and I don’t know where I’d be without you. I love you, always.

To my children, for the hours of free entertainment, for teaching me patience, for smiles that brighten my day, and most of all, for reminding me there is so much more to life than what is on my computer screen. I love each of you so very much, and no matter what happens in life, I’ll always love you.

To Amber, my career coach, for your helpful advice, for encouraging me to keep writing, for our chats and silly conversations about hot men, good music, and chocolate. Thank you for sticking by me through the rough patches. Your friendship means a lot and always will. I lunar you…

To Rhonda, for your keen eye and good grammar. To my beta review team, for your loyalty, discretion, and amazing feedback. To my readers who I interact with every day, for your endless support and encouragement.

To my Dream Team, for all those hours you spend promoting me, for taking a chance on a new author you knew nothing about until you read my books, and for reminding me why I’m on this crazy journey—because my stories hold a special place in your heart. You ladies are my rock stars who I can never repay with anything other than kind words and gratitude of the deepest level. You each brighten my day, every day.

To Lisa, for taking the notion to befriend a stranger, for the long chats we have about Layne, for all the kicks-in-the-ass when I’m in a mood, and for not allowing me to give up. I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through writing this book without you. I value our friendship and want you to know that I appreciate all that you do. I’m proud to call you my friend.

And to Elena, I always save you for last, not because you’re at the bottom of my list, but because you can’t build anything in life without a good foundation. You are my rock in this crazy industry. You’ve made me smile more times than I can count and have been by my side through good and bad. Thank you for being there for me, thank you for ‘getting it’ more than anyone I know, and thank you for being the one person I know I can always trust. I love you, my soul sister. I’m very grateful those ‘angels met in heaven’. No one could have a better best friend than I do, because my best friend is you.

This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, places, and dialogue are from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Twin Flames Press

Nook Edition

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Table of Contents

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10