Lussuria (New Version) (45 page)

Not only do you shine at your ability to make novels the best they can possibly be, you’re also a warm loving and caring person and I adore your sense of humor. For you Jennifer I am eternally grateful xx

Joanne Carlin Sinadinovic – Design Divaz

Thank you to Joanne from Design Divaz, for providing an impressive professional design package for me. I am absolutely thrilled with the amazing graphics, personalised designs, logos and images you have created for my cover art, website, Facebook page and of course marketing and all the swag for my branding.

You worked to my exact design brief and were able to further enhance my brief with your expert insight and creativity. The individual graphics you have designed are truly outstanding and fit the story perfectly.

You went way above the call of duty to carefully create individual designs and logos, photo manipulation and my overall theme, which are solely copyrighted and protected to my brand because of your help.

You had ideas I never thought possible so for that I’m extremely thankful. My website – www.sjmolloy.com, one word… WOW.

I am absolutely delighted with the quality, features, spec and professionalism of it. You are inspiring and it’s been a pleasure to continue working with you on this series.

Vera

My little Aloe Vera – Manly, Sydney February 2003, we never thought then, that exactly ten years on to the day… I would begin typing The Luminara Series.

Melbourne Australia June 1991 – It all started with a tub full of lollies, I bet you regret imprinting me with that bribe now that you can’t shake me off.

A very heartfelt, special thank you is for you, my best cousin, counsel and multi-tasker – Vera. I have been having a little teary Magsie moment this morning thinking what I would like to say because there is so much.

I’m feeling very emotional writing this because I truly am blessed to have such a protective, caring, loving big cous, who would help me with anything and I mean anything. The miles between us have never caused distance, in fact it has made us closer over the years because we talk, type and chat every day and I would not have it any other way.

From the onset you showed interest in helping and reassuring me that you would catch me should I fall. You keep me on the right path and tell me not to worry ‘my little Magsie head’. Well, in proper Burns trait, I do worry although you’re always there to calm me down from my little stressed moments and ridiculous questions at any hour of the day. You reign me in when I’m having an episode of asking relentless questions when I get something in my mind and help empower me.

You have the patience of a saint and are my saving grace, without you none of this would be possible. You compromised an immense amount of time to beta read, copyediting my first draft, and setting me up with all things tech -y.

Continually, you pull me out of my tech-y challenged frenzy every day, and as they say every day is a school day. I have learned so much from you and I love that I’m still learning. You are like my little open learning programme.

Seriously, I couldn’t have done any of this without you and you are the greatest gift of the day, every day. Everyone needs a cousin like Vera. Your determination and drive is infectious.

You always promised to take care of me, and always true to your word ‘a promise is a promise’ you do just that. I love you Vera more than words can say, for you I am grateful xx

My wonderful Readers

Its goes without saying that this book is for you and would not be anyway near as successful as it has been without the continual support, appraisal, interest and passion for ‘The Luminara Series,’ I have received from you all. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you are falling in love with Lexi and Lucca as much as I am on their romantic anecdote of Lust, Love and Light.

I’m absolutely astounded and overwhelmed albeit delighted with the positive response you have shown me and my debut Adult Romance Suspense story. I started writing with the mind-set that it was something that I always wanted to do and I was doing this for my family and with that said I never anticipated I’d be launching them publicly. It would have been be way too selfish for me not to publish. I decided to bring this series to light by sharing it with you all and I am ecstatic I did and hope you are too.

Obviously I was nervous sharing this and to be honest I still am, on this journey. It’s a very nerve wrecking experience and I never know how my writing will be received and reviewed. I try to stay positive and having faith in my characters and my unravelling storyline. I prayed that you all fall in love with it as much as I have to give me a solid foundation to work on.

When you were receptive and showing positive enthusiasm with good feedback I began to relax and enjoy the writing experience even more and found I couldn’t stop even if I tried. I then knew I was making the right choice sharing it with all my readers.

The love and support you show makes this experience completely fulfilling and worthwhile. It’s because of the reader’s enthusiasm and support that I’m able to write with complete passion and conviction to give you the best emotional and romantic story I can.

From the bottom of my heart, it’s a privilege to be able to share this with you and I hope you all continue your support by following Lexi and Lucca through their intense, impassioned and complicated relationship which will unravel throughout the coming series.

Readers you are the reason I’ve made so many compromises in my life to do this because like you, I am also an avid self-confessed book junkie and lover of romantic fiction novels. I have been blessed to read so many wonderful creations from magnificent talented authors out there and I wanted to give something back – to you and hope it’s every piece as wonderful. For you readers, I am eternally grateful x

Lesley

Without your inspiration, encouragement, support and push steering me in the right direction, I never would have had the courage to do this. For answering my ridiculous emails at crazy hours despite the miles between us and for filling me with the best Sauv Blanc and ‘spirits’ when my time was spent in Australia x

Jennifer and Angela

What can I say? You both know how special you are to me ladies. You have a heart of pure gold, my very own two little diamonds. I could not ask for better kind, loving and caring friends. Your support, help and love has kept me going all the way through this experience.

You’ve held my hand, made me laugh, cry and smile. Thank you for beta reading in the early months, for being honest, for giving me your thoughts and insight and for sorting me out when the stress became overwhelming.

Thank you for the meet ups in Costa, the nerd girl spreadsheets for keeping me focused through Saj’s book club forum, for the reassurance and for your time.

I hugely appreciate all the cheerleading you have done from the day I started typing; you have always shown faith in me and I know you will always do so and that why your very dear to my heart.

Lil and Yanx, words can’t explain how much I cherish your friendship and I’m positive good things are coming your way, I love you very much xx.

Karen

I could be here all day rubbing your ego but let’s face it, its big enough, lol. You my little Darlin are a gift sent straight from heaven, my own gift to keep and cherish always and forever.

Thank you loving me unconditionally, for sharing my gifts of the day, for being my biggest cheerleader and for your positivity, its infectious. You cuddle me when I need it, you kick my ass when I need it, and you lift my spirits when I need it.

Karen in all honesty, my life would not be whole without you. That’s why I need you and I am very lucky because everyone should have a Karen in their lives. That cheque on my fridge was signed to me the day you walked into my life and that’s big boots to fill. You know the one.

Over the years, we have shared so many great times and this year surely didn’t disappoint on our Asia adventures. Who would have thought thirteen years ago that you and I would be backpacking and adding to our grateful’s every night.

You make me laugh, actually I rephrase – I make you laugh (I’m funny in Scotland) and we do love to laugh. You believe in me, and no matter how crazy my ideas get you trust I will always strive to deliver after you give me a good talking to that is.

Fate brought us together and I’m so thankful it did, I’m stuck on you my beautiful friend. I love you very much xx.

‘My Darlins’

Karen, Jennifer, Angela, Kirstine, Carol, Nicola, Emma, Vicki, Aileen, and little Laura Lou.

You are the greatest group of dear friends a girl could ask for. We are all at different stages in our lives but yet we’re all so close and hold an exceptionally strong bond for each other, for that I’m grateful to be a part of all your lives.

These last 13 years are filled with special memories I will cherish forever. From the long weekends to the DBB’S , the party nights, the dancing nights, the coffee nights, the hen weekends, the weddings, the birthday nights, days in town and the girls forum and more recently X-factor nights. You all know I’ve got the FOMO and despite being preoccupied this year writing, I think I’ve done not bad with spending quality time with you all and would not have it any other way.

Girls you have listened to all things Bookish for the last year, over wine and over coffee and never complained. You’ve all encouraged and supported me no matter how crazy you think I am, because you My Darlins fill me up and make me laugh and believe in me. Girls I love you all from the bottom of my heart xx.

Karen, Nicola and Laura, thank you girls for the holiday of a lifetime in Asia. From the journal writing, rock climbing and diving, snorkelling, buckets, banter, buzz and adventures to the words in the sand. Girls it was an inspirational experience I will treasure forever, for you My Darlins I am grateful xx

For my beta readers

From my book group ladies

I am grateful to be sharing all things bookish with you. To the Oh, my…. Ladies, thank you for the images, the quotes, and the visualisations. When I have writers block I can look through some posts and be inspired by ‘something that catches me eye.’

Thank you to the Books after… group. I have loved sharing all things bookish with you all and I’m very appreciative to have such a passionate book group of beta readers and book lovers. Thank you for dedicating you time and keeping me motivated.

The last year has seen our book group form friendships and new bonds, sharing not only emotion, excitement, worry and laughter but we have shared compassion and empathy also when needed. For all you ladies who know who you are, I am grateful, thank you xx.

Tuscookany – Cooking vacations at Casa Ombuto and Torre del Tartufo – Tuscany

Thank you to Tuscookany cooking Vacations for inspiring me to write fictionally about the Tuscan cooking experience and setting The Luminara Series around this. Also a massive thank you for allowing me to share, quote and adapt some of your delicious mouth-watering recipes.

Pippa, thank you for your correspondence and generosity of allowing me to share my ideas and your menu’s.

Some of the recipes quoted in Lussuria can be found at

www.tuscookany.com

https://www.facebook.com/Tuscookany

For professional, inspirational and fun cooking experiences staying in luxurious villa in the breath-taking heart of Tuscany please have a look at packages on offer.

Caroline

Thank you for you resources, contacts and medical insight regarding Stockholm Syndrome and mental health illnesses in my early days of researching. Your help was invaluable and has furnished me with fundamental ideas and a greater understanding especially for progressing with this series in a tactful and respectful way. Caroline for you I am grateful x.

Joe

Massive thanks for your expert help both physically and theoretically with your specialising Physio and kineso taping and of course you expert knowledge. Thank you for your links-resources and for answering my questions in order for me to incorporate it into my book. For you Joe I am grateful, and I promise I will try this ice bath you’re going on about soon x

Casey – Hardcover Therapy

Thank you for a marvellous job arranging and hosting the cover art reveal and blog tour for Lussuria. Being new in the industry, I could not have reached so many bloggers without your help. Thank you for being patient with me and for being so lovely and not complaining when I sent revised documents continually. It’s been a pleasure, for you Casey I am grateful x.

Lucinda – Design.lkcampbell

Thank you Lucinda, for your exceptional e-book formatting, correspondence and understanding. You have accommodated my crazy schedule and are always happy to oblige. You’ve provided such a great professional service and worked in a timely manner to meet my deadlines. It’s been a pleasure working with you and you have the patience of a saint. For you I am grateful Lucinda x.

Kassi

Thank you for another exceptional professional service and for formatting my MS for POD so quickly. It’s been a pleasure working with you also Kassi, for you I am grateful x

Debra – The Book Enthusiast

Thank you Debra for organising and arranging my release day event and providing such a great service and reaching out to so many bloggers.

Book Bloggers

A massive gift of the day – every day is to the entire book blogger social network community who have liked, shared, pimped, and supported, followed, participated and reviewed. I’m stunned and totally blown away by the interest you have all shown. There are far too many of you to name but you know who you all are.

As a first time author it can be challenging to bring your debut novel into the light making an impression and piquing interest. Without all the help and support and time you have given my debut novel Lussuria, it would not be as widely advertised via social media to our readers.