Dearest Clementine (41 page)
Read Dearest Clementine Online
Authors: Lex Martin
She squeals, but her laughter quickly fades as she nestles closer and grips my shoulders.
Her breath quickens and her blue eyes darken. I tangle my fingers through her long hair, gently tugging her to me until our mouths seal together.
She sighs against me, and I feel it too. How right we are together.
Because I know that there is nothing on this planet as perfect for me as this woman.
And you can bet your ass I plan to give my girl a happily ever after. Starting right now.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -
My first shout-out is to AJ Pine, my hand twin. I'm so glad you saw my Facebook comment that day and realized I was attempting to write. I'd still be screwing around with those ten thousand words if it weren't for you. How did I not realize you were my soul sister when we worked together? Thank you for running this marathon with me!
The puzzle of my writing life wasn't complete until AJ and I met Megan Erickson and Natalie Blitt. Girls, thank you for all of your amazing writing insight, encouragement and dirty jokes. You three are phenomenal writers, and I'm honored I get to read your books before anyone else!
Being totally new to self-publishing, I turned to two writers whose work I love and admire. Krista and Becca Ritchie, thank you for answering all of my newbie questions, for teaching me how to format, and for loving Charlie Dalton as much as I do. Your books are like crack, and if I fangirl anymore over your work, people are going to think I have a problem. Please consider grafting me on as the triplet in the Ritchie family tree. xoxo!
RJ Locksley, thank you for your amazing copy edits. I'm so glad I found you! (Big hugs from the states!)
I have to thank Taryn Albright for her suggestions to improve Clementine. Taryn, your ass kickings always hurt, but I'm a better writer because of it.
I've also received so much support from my FebNo and NAAU friends. You guys are awesome! I've learned so much from you.
My number one reader is Taylor Hyslop. Tay, thank you for your enthusiasm, even for my early stuff that will never see the light of day. I love when you send me messages in the middle of the night, freaking out over my characters. Sorry I made you ugly cry on the subway with Dani's story! Because of you, I wrote Jax's book next instead of Daren's, which was the right thing to do. You're the best!
To my friends who read Clementine–Barb, Patisa, Helen, Sabra, Sue Ellen, Russ and Scott. Thank you for all of your love and support! Russ, you get a special shout-out because you're the first guy to read Clementine. Thanks, buddy.
I'd be remiss not to thank my Chicago crew who supported my early work and inspired me every step of the way. Gary, Tony, Kevin and Henry, you have no idea how much you've impacted your students and colleagues. I'm honored I got to work with you. Antonette and Laura, I miss you every day.
We all have teachers who inspire us. Mine were Mr. Lubbering and Mrs. Mengden. Mr. L, thank you for teaching me to draw outside of the lines. I try to remember that every day with my own students. Mrs. Mengden, you were the best AP English teacher. Thanks for loving my poetry and teaching me the value of re-writing.
Even though I haven't seen my Texas family in forever, I miss them so much! I have a crazy huge extended family that is unruly and awesome and never follows the rules, and I can't imagine my life without them. I want to thank my cousin Lisa who read my YA novel and has been an awesome cheerleader. I have so many aunts, uncles and cousins I should mention, but I'd need several pages to do that properly, so I'm simply going to thank them with hugs and kisses. Love y'all!
This is where I thank my kick-ass parents. My mom used to tell people I was a writer, and I'd think, "Mom, why are you lying?" lol. Even after I got a degree in journalism and freelanced for a few years, I didn't think that about myself. Mom, thank you for your vision and all of your help these past few years! Kerry, thanks for letting my mom visit so often. You're the best step-dad ever!
Dad, you're my biggest inspiration. I love your positivity and focus. You taught me that I could learn anything from a book. Thanks for always kicking my bootie if I tried to do anything "half-assed" and for working two and three jobs to put me through all those great schools. I know Boston University cost a helluva lot of money, but you never complained. I know the sacrifices you've made for me, and I hope I can be the same kind of parent to my girls.
To my husband and daughters... Matt, you're the reason I embarked down this path three years ago. Thank you for doing everything when I'm in my writing cave. You're still my Huckleberry. You only teased me a little for writing a sappy romance novel. Okay, you teased me a lot, but I also feel your admiration and respect. I mean, you just surprised me with a brand new Kindle Paperwhite because you said I'm a real writer, and I need to see what my books look like. I heart you so much! There's no one else I'd want to do this with. Girls, I'm sorry I'm always preoccupied with the stories in my head. Thank you for your patience. I love you scads! Please don't read Mommy's books. Ever.
And, of course, to the amazing bloggers out there who reviewed Clementine. Thank you for giving a new author a chance. Your kind words mean the world to me. And to the awesome Natalie, Jennifer, Dina and Meagan at Love Between the Sheets. You guys rock! Natalie, thank you for holding my hand as I wade through these crazy waters!
Lastly, to my readers. I hope I gave you a little angst, a little love, a few laughs and some warm fuzzies. You'll never know how much your support means to me! I love hearing from you and reading your reviews. Thank you for taking the time to reach out to me.
xoxo,
Lex
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OTHER NOVELS BY LEX MARTIN -
If you enjoyed Clementine’s story, Jax and Daren have their own books coming out later this year. Look for
Finding Dandelion
in June and
Kissing Madeline
this fall.
Finding Dandelion Synopsis:
When Dani Hart and Jax Avery collide on his twenty-first birthday, the rules are obvious. Or at least they should be. No names. No strings.
Jax has never had a problem with a hit-it and quit-it before… until he kisses the beautiful girl dancing in the cage.
But Dani knows better. One night with a sexy stranger means nothing more than a little fun. And keeping it anonymous means keeping her heart safe from getting attached… which might work if Jax wasn't her new roommate's brother.
Finding Dandelion
is a stand-alone novel with two companion novels. This New Adult romance is recommended for readers 18+ due to mature content.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR -
Lex Martin writes new adult novels, the sexy kind with lotsa angst, a whole lotta kissing, and the hot happily ever afters. When she's not writing, she lives a parallel life as an English teacher. She loves printing black and white photos, listening to music on vinyl, and getting lost in a great book. Bitten by wanderlust, this native Texan has lived all over the country, but she currently resides in the City of Angels with her husband and twin daughters.
- CONTACT LEX -
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