“I love you too.”
Falling isn’t always failure. Sometimes the biggest victories only happen when we’re brave enough to let go and give in to the pull.
The End
Acknowledgments
First, thank you God for giving me the opportunity and ability to write stories and share them with the world.
To my husband, thank you for your support and for doing your own laundry when I’m stuck behind the computer, lost in the writing.
Thank you to my girls who are a constant inspiration and bring me more joy than I could imagine.
To my family, thanks for supporting me from day one and helping when I need it. Whether it’s been a motivating shove in the butt or someone to watch the kids, you’ve never let me down.
Thank you to Evelyn Johnson for dropping everything when I need to travel, keeping my schedule so I show up places on time, organizing everything from my brain to meet and greets, but, most importantly, thank you for being a loyal and loving friend. I’d be lost without you . . . literally. But you already know that.
I’m forever indebted to my amazing crew of critique partners. Sharon Kay, Claudia Conner, Racquel Reck, and N.J. Layouni. Thank you for pushing me to be my best every single time. Your friendship means the world to me, and I don’t know where I’d be without you.
To my partner in crime, PI Ninja, Maya Banks stalker, and all things in between buddy, Cristin Harber. Honest to goodness, my world would not spin without you in it. I cherish our friendship and our working partnership more than words could say. I will forever be ready in all black with a beanie cap for barrel rolls . . . anytime, anyplace.
I can’t thank my PIMA, Amanda Simpson from Pixel Mischief Design, enough. You have been there from day one and are the creative force behind my brand. I’m forever grateful for everything you’ve taught me, but most importantly I’m honored by your friendship. If all this ends tomorrow, I know I’d have a friend for life in you. Thank you for allowing me to be your PITA.
Thank you to Elizabeth Reyes for all your guidance and advice. It’s been an amazing year; meeting you and getting the opportunity to sign with you was the highlight. I cherish your friendship and look forward to many more opportunities to hang with you in the future.
To the Goddess of the Alpha Male, Kristen Ashley, thank you for your friendship. I’ve worshipped your writing since the beginning of your career and to think that I’d ever be in a position to call you “friend” would’ve seemed like nothing more than the fantasy of a romance junkie. You’re the most down-to-earth person I’ve ever known, and it’s your staying true to you that sets you apart from the rest. I’m absolutely honored to know you and blessed by your friendship.
Thank you from the bottom of my soul to every single Fighting Girl who has tirelessly pimped my books. To all the girls in The Fighting Girls Fun Cage, thank you for being there for each other, for showing the world what it means to be a woman: that we can be strong and compassionate, that we have integrity, and that we’re always there to lift up someone who is suffering. Not a day goes by that I’m not proud beyond comprehension of what you girls have created in that group. The love and support you show each other is unparalleled by any other I’ve seen, and my prayer is that it continues and spreads like a virus because the greatest of these is love.
Thank you to all the bloggers who’ve supported The Fighting Series. Your promotions, reviews, and constant pimps are absolutely vital to Indie-published authors. I would not be where I am today without your support. I’m so incredibly grateful for each and every one of you.
Huge thank you to Lael Telles, Lauren McCullough, and Chris Jackson. You guys rock!
Thank you to my editor, Theresa Wegand, for taking on the challenge of this book and steering me in the right direction.
This book wouldn’t be what it is without the infinite wisdom of Scott Tannenbaum at the TNT MMA Training Center. Thank you for taking the time to indulge me with my list of questions, follow-up questions, and follow-up-follow-up questions.
Last but never least, thank you to every single woman out there who has a passion for romance novels. Doesn’t matter if you read mine or not; just the fact that you read them keeps the genre alive and thriving. Romance readers are the most passionate people and make this place a better world.
Love and infinite gratitude,
JB
Fighting the Fall Playlist
“Remember the Name” by Fort Minor
“Gone too Soon” by Simple Plan
“I Can Wait Forever” by Simple Plan
“How I Go” by Yellowcard
“Terrible Things” by Mayday Parade
“A Drop in the Ocean” by Ron Pope
“Stay on Your Feet” by MxPx
“I Wanna be a Warhol” by Alkaline Trio
“Don’t Push” by Sublime
“21st Century Digital Boy” by Bad Religion
“Chasing Rainbows” by No Use for a Name