Read Fighting for Arielle Online

Authors: Karina Sharp

Fighting for Arielle (28 page)

BOOK: Fighting for Arielle
4.06Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

 

A
fter that experience, it is hard to bring out the party in everyone, but it happens.  We dance, mingle, eat, kiss, and dance some more, until it’s time to go.  We give our families big hugs and exit the building under an archway of swords that officers carry on super special occasions.  As tradition dictates, they stop us and make us kiss before we can pass through as husband and wife.  Of course, I get a swat on the backside from one of the swords before we bid our farewells so we can leave. 

I arranged for one more activity before we literally head out into the wor
ld married.  Underneath a wall, there is a large trough to catch the pieces of beer bottles that guests throw from a safe distance, shattering them.  I watch as bottle after bottle contacts the wall, makes a large clanking noise, and breaks into pieces.  McCrary and I take part in the activity.  We each choose one bottle to throw, and no more.  On the count of three, holding hands, we both chuck our bottles at the wall in exaltation.  With each shatter, I feel a piece of my previous life of heartache and loathing break apart and fall away. 

Not letting go of his hand, I look to my wonderful husband and think about how much I love my life
, and how fortunate I truly am.  Not only was I lucky enough to find someone who loves me for who I am, but I’ve been able to love that person as well.  Without him, I would have never been found; however, if I had never fought to save myself from my own self-destruction, I would still be lost.  This is certainly not a happily ever after, where everything is perfect forever and always, but I embrace my individuality a little more each day, and, as a couple, McCrary and I will continue to grow together, forever and always.

McCrary looks at me with his very familiar, genuine eyes and smiles, highlighting his dimple and the smile lines around his eyes that I adore.  He brings my hand to his mouth and kisses the top of it, not moving his eyes away from mine. 

My smile grows larger, and my heart swells to epic proportions.

“I love you, Commander Johnathan McCrary Ashby.”

“And I you,
Arrr
-ielle, like a pirate, Ashby.”

 

 

D
omesti
c
violence and spousal abuse is very real

and very serious.

 

You are not alone.  You are not stuck.  I know, because I’ve been there too.  There is life beyond the one you know, and one very much worth living.  

 

If you or someone you know needs help or resources, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at
1.800.799.SAFE (7233)
or visit their website at
www.thehotline.org
.

 

 

If you are military, you can call the Military One Source for counseling or information at
1.800.342.9647
, visit their website at
www.militaryonesource.mil
, or contact your base Chaplain, Command Ombudsman, or Platoon Key Volunteer. 

 

All calls are confidential
.

 

Author’s Note

 

Some details in this book regarding uniforms, duty stations, and other specifics regarding military life and
housing are not always precise and purposefully fictionalized.  I had the privilege to spend many years as a Navy spouse.  Out of respect to the community and culture, I chose to either omit or change details as I saw fit.

 

 

Acknowledgements

So many people to thank! 

Special, special thanks, from the bottom of my heart, to my sister Lisa Manning who endured every draft and revision and rewrite, and still encouraged me to publish this. 

I
owe a great deal of thanks to Allison Kinley who went along this crazy journey from just being a fleeting thought to an actual novel, helping me with early morning and late-night brainstorming.  I can’t wait to help you publish your first book!

Thank you to my step mother-in-law Linda for giving excellent feedback and notes.

I would also like to thank my wonderful friends Shelley Brooks and Ashley Troklus, who are not only amazing friends, but also read some very rough drafts for me. 

I want to thank the wonderful women who mentored me and became my friends while I was a military spouse.  From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for giving me the chance to help Navy families, for making up part of the be
st Command Leadership Team ever (you know who you are), for always supporting me, and for being great friends to me, even to this day. 

I am also lucky enough to have an amazing group of beta
readers who were willing to read a very rough version of an unknown novel written by an unknown person: Melissa Fantauzzi, Kristen Delcambre, and Emily Cottle –huge gratitude!

I would be remis
ed if I did not recognize one of my best and oldest friends in the entire world, Natasha Smith, who inspired many of the unique one-liners and turns of phrase that these characters use. 

I also owe a great debt of gratitude to the wonderful and talented author Mia Sheridan who not only inspired me to write, but helped me a great deal every step of the way during the design, formatting, and publishing phase.  She is a wonderful person, and
I am proud to be able to call her my friend. If you haven’t read her books, you simply MUST!

Lastly,
to my husband– my one and only -and the person who listened to me whine and doubt myself, yet remained optimistic and encouraging the entire time.  Thank you for always helping me push myself to do more and reach my goals.

 

About the Author

 

Karina Sharp is a former Navy spouse and former Navy Command Family Ombudsman.  Karina is passionate about creating stories about relationships with strong female characters who not only find romance, but also learn about themselves in the process.

Karina Sharp was born in Southeast Texas, but has lived all over the country.
Karina holds a Master’s of Education in Counseling Psychology from the University of Louisville and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu.

S
he has worked with a diverse population of clients- from convicted felons to the severely mentally ill to adolescents who have been placed in the care of the Child and Family Services, and she uses her experiences as inspiration to help give others a voice. 

When she is not writing, Karina teaches aerobics
, and runs races. She has also danced burlesque. 

Karina lives in Louisville, KY with her husband, their two children, two chocolate labs, and two turtles.

Karina can be found online at:
www.facebook.com/karinasharpauthor

 

www.twitter.com/thekarinasharp

BOOK: Fighting for Arielle
4.06Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

A New Life by Bernard Malamud
My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding by Esther M. Friesner, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Susan Krinard, Rachel Caine, Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher, Lori Handeland, L. A. Banks, P. N. Elrod
Love For Hire by Anna Marie May
Sahara by Clive Cussler
You're Still the One by Janet Dailey, Cathy Lamb, Mary Carter, Elizabeth Bass
Tears by Francine Pascal
Last One Home by Debbie Macomber