Nothing Like the First Time (25 page)
Read Nothing Like the First Time Online
Authors: Keren Hughes
Acknowledgements
My first thanks go to my son, Calum. He’s always there when I need him. He tells everyone at school how proud he is of his Mom and I keep telling him it’s the wrong way round, I’m proud of hi
m—
always have been and always will be. So thanks to my little man for keeping me going.
My Nan comes next. She is beyond doubt the most amazing woman in the world and I love her to pieces. She always believed in me and now I’ve been published, she boasts to anyone who’ll listen.
My Auntie Julie is the second most amazing woman. She was the first person to read and edit my debut novel, Stolen. I am eternally grateful for her constant faith in me and her unconditional love and support.
The list of people I want to thank it so long that it would take too long to name them all but I’ll name a few who really stand out because of their unwavering support; Ruth Ashfield (to-be Phillips). She was the first person to read this novel and to tell me how much she loved it. I was so happy when she said it made her cry; not that I get a kick out of making people cry, I’m not a bully, it was just that it meant my writing evoked those kinds of feelings. Ruth also constantly put up with my barrage of questions and gave very much valued insight. I am eternally in her debt and am proud to call her my friend.
Jo Cattell, Michele Swindle, Kelly Hashway, Ada Adams, Kira Saito—my long distance BFF’s. Natalie Hancock for being my cheerleader and being there to listen and answer any questions I had. She gave me much appreciated advice and invaluable support. I couldn’t ask for a better friend and fellow author.
Sam Morris, my very best friend, my sister. My thanks to her are for always being here for me, no matter what, she always makes me feel better about things. When I felt trepidation about writing this novel, Sam always buoyed me up. I am eternally grateful for a friendship of 20 years and the support she has given me for all that time.
Julieanne Lynch for always being so supportive. Kind words and sage advice are the staples she provided. She is an amazing lady, awesome author and wonderful friend.
Holly Goldman, my ‘little sister’, for her love and her constant praise—I am so glad that you’re my family.
Sophie Russell and her mom Samantha Cooke for being there for me throughout any ups, downs and in-betweens.
Lisa Harwood, for her continual support and eternal kindness. Karen Rock for being totally awesome. Carey Heywood, Gracen Miller, Rachael Wade for being amazing ladies that I look up to. Summer Walden for making me strive to become a better author. Belinda Remmer
s-Spell for never doubting me for a nano-second.
Laura Taylor, Steph Bagley, Sue Fowkes, Carole Gunn for the love they give me and my characters. To my BETA girls for some of the most valuable
input that helped make this novel what it is today because they answered questions about what would work, what I could/couldn’t and should/shouldn’t put in.
I am such a lucky lady to have a wonderful team behind me at Limitless Publishing. They are the very best I could ask for.
If I missed anyone by name, please don’t feel any less appreciated. I just don’t have the space to list you all. But I love you, nonetheless.
I also want to thank you the reader. You picked up my book and gave it a chance. Thank you so much for that.
About the Author
Keren lives in the UK and is an avid bookworm; she has been since she read things like Black Beauty, What Katy Did and The Hobbit as a child. Her first real memories of reading are the summers she used to lie on her bed and re-read What Katy Did and What Katy Did Next.
Over the years she has come to realise that she is a bit OCD about books. They have to be in perfect condition without the slightest bit of damage.
She is a book reviewer and has been for the past 18 months or so.
The idea for Stolen came to her one day but she never thought she’d actually write it let alone publish it. If it wasn’t for her author friend Kira Saito, the idea would still be stuck in her head not on paper. But constant love and support from Kira is why you are now able to read Stolen.
Stolen is her first novel but now that she’s written one, she knows she needs to write more. There will be one sequel, called Freed which will be from Bodhi’s POV. This will be set a couple of years on.
Then, the plan is for her to write either NA or Adult Contemporary Romances. She has a big crush on Lady Antebellum’s music at the moment and their songs have inspired a few book ideas.