The Do Over

For nine months, I had been kissing my prince. He was an amazing man and a loving partner. Neither one of us was perfect, but we were just right for each other. Together, we had a connection that was deep and electric.

After he grabbed the remote and muted the TV, he turned back to me, and our eyes met.

"I plan on giving you the world," he promised.

When his tongue slowly swept along my collarbone, I gasped, and I moaned softly.

"You were made for me, and I was made for you."

My body relaxed at the sound of his words, and a shiver coursed through my body.

"Last night was just the beginning," he said.

Our entire relationship flashed before my eyes, the good and the painful. We had both chosen to fight for each other. We had been unwilling to give up. We loved each other. It wasn't just the Hallmark card gooey love. It was also the real kind that overcame our inadequacies and imperfections.

Relishing the memory of last night, I closed my eyes, pinned under him. He had given me a sunrise and a sunset. He was the love of my life, the man of my dreams, and every one of my book boyfriends wrapped into one.

After I slowly opened my eyes, I stared into his blue ones as I seared this love into my memory. My heart beat wildly in my chest. When I fisted his shirt, I admired my sparkling ring as I brought him closer to me.

"It's just the beginning." I bit my lower lip. "I love you, Liam, always and forever."





I'd like to thank God for not only giving me a vivid imagination, a flare for the dramatic, and occasionally, a way with words but also for the humility to know that writing a novel doesn't happen in solitude. I found myself surrounded by people who I can only refer to as angels. Those angels came in and sometimes out of my journey. They blessed me as they were a source of encouragement and motivation to be the best that I could be. I learned a great deal from every one of them.

Thank you, Crysti Perry and the Kindle Buddies, for a prologue contest—which I lost—for stirring the fire, and for encouraging me to finish what I started.

To Claire Contreras: You pulled out your red pen and gently showed me the way. I will forever be grateful to you for your encouragement, pep talks, and honesty. You're a great writer and friend. Thank you so much.

To Lisa Harley and Megan Hand, THWC: You ladies have been my constant. I appreciate the daily chats, kicks in the butt, laughter, and most of all, your love and support. You ladies totally rock. I am so blessed to call you my friends.

To Daisy Esquenazi, Jennifer Rached, Lily Yanes, and Ana Torres.: You put up with talking about my story every single day at work. I appreciate you for letting me bounce ideas off of you, for sharing in my excitement, and for wallowing in my self-pity with minimal to no eye rolls. You ladies are great! And, of course, to Michelle Machin who was the first person to read the first six chapters.

To TWOTDO—Antoinette, Beth, Chandra, Ciara, Dyann, Elizabeth, Gina, Jaime, Jennifer B, Jennifer D, Judy, Keri, Kimberly, Kristina, Nicki, and Stacy Thank you ladies so much for rolling up your sleeves and reading The Do Over. Thank you for your honesty, kindness, and enthusiasm. Words cannot begin to express how grateful I am for each one of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To the ladies of Ain't Nobody Got Time for That: Thank you for welcoming me into your fold and for allowing me to glean from your greatness. I'm honored to be surrounded by such amazing talent from the most hilarious and kind-hearted group of women I know.

To The Indie Chixx: You ladies are the most supportive, loving, and inclusive women I know. Thank you for answering my questions and for going above and beyond with your kindness and generosity. We might be independent, but we don't do it alone!

To The Writer's Block: Thank you for your kindness, support and offering a place to learn the ropes.

To Robin Harper from Wicked by Design: You're an amazingly talented and patient woman. Thank you for answering my never-ending questions and for your flexibility in dealing with my perfectionism.

To Jovana Shirley from Unforeseen Editing: Thank you for taking my baby and making her the best that she can be. I never thought I'd be so happy to see an explosion of purple lines—it looked like a bad case of varicose veins. I loved your notes and comments. They served to both teach and encourage.

To Angela from Fictional Formats: You are a talented artist. Thank you for taking my manuscript and making it a beautiful work of art.

To my readers: Thank you so much for embarking on the journey of The Do Over. I hope and trust that you love the characters and their story as much as I do. Thank you.