by Kilby Blades
"Eyes forward, Mr. Monroe,” scolded Mr. Taylor, the proctor of the test and the only teacher at Trinity High impervious to my charm. Roxy glanced back at me briefly, upon hearing my name, which, of course, made me smile. I winked flirtatiously. She blushed, and I could see the subtle upturn of her lips. I smiled more widely before we both went back to our tests. Mr. Taylor rolled his eyes. I didn’t care what he thought of us, or teenage love, or making goo-goo eyes at one another during a serious test. I didn’t care what anyone thought, because I knew. I knew Roxy was the best thing that had ever happened to me and that moving here was the best thing that ever happened to her. I knew this summer would be epic. I knew college was a long way away. And I knew that, one day, I would marry that girl.
Author’s Note: The Music
First and foremost, thank you for reading! This story has a very long history that I talk about in detail on my blog. I love nostalgic music, and I love awkward teenage love. Growing up, I was kind of like Jagger and Roxy: heavily influenced by the music my parents listened to and most likely to hang out with other kids who respected the old jams. The year I graduated from college, I turned down a more sensible job to work in the music industry. Spending my early twenties getting paid to interview bands I had idolized and be backstage at shows was pretty awesome.
I’ve lost count of how many songs are mentioned in this book, but I did create a playlist. If you want to listen to the songs on this book, find me on Spotify by searching for Kilby Blades.
Also, if you like my writing, please consider joining my mailing list—it’s the only way to read extended previews of my upcoming titles, to get freebies and outtakes of my stuff, and to win giveaways of other books I love. If you just want to hear me overshare about my crazy life, follow me on Instagram. Most importantly, follow me on Amazon so you’ll always know about new releases, and while you’re doing that, why not leave a review so that other readers know what to expect?
And speaking of knowing what to expect from my other books, I’m known for what critics and bloggers have called “feminist romance”. My books feature empowered heroines and multi-dimensional heroes who are staunch advocates for their women, stepping back from their own spotlights in order to let their women shine. In my angstier books, my characters are dry-witted, but my lighter ones serve up a ton of humor. All of this in the midst of delicious dilemmas and never-before-seen plots. I write across audiences as well, from Young Adult, to New Adult to Contemporary to Steamy Romance.
Here’s Where I Thank People
I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to thank all of the people who helped this book come together. Sarah Latchaw was my original beta reader on this story. I was such an admirer of her book, Hydraulic Level 5, that I approached her out of the blue for help writing my very first novel-length story. Her generosity in giving me clear, tough-if-I-needed-it feedback on how to think about my characters and move my story forward set an invaluable standard in my life as an author.
Elizabeth Mackey of Elizabeth Mackey Graphics must also be thanked. This is the fourth amazing cover she’s designed for me and I’m looking forward to more.
I’d also like to thank the huge crew of author-friends and fans who kept me sane as I slogged through many slow iterations of this story. This is the very first story I wrote but, as you may have noticed, I published it fourth. There are so many people who were along with me for this journey that it seems impossible to mention all by name. Please know that your support meant, and means, the world to me.
About Kilby Blades
Kilby Blades is a fresh new voice in smart contemporary romance. Critics laud her "feminist fiction", noting empowered heroines and multi-dimensional heroes. Her debut novel, "Snapdragon", was a ten-time finalist and a five-time winner for honors including the HOLT Medallion, the Publisher's Weekly BookLife Prize, and the Foreword Indie Award. She has been nodded for a total of twenty honors for her complete library, including a win for Best Debut Author in the 2018 RSJ's Emma Awards.
When she's not writing, Kilby goes to movie matinees alone, where she eats Chocolate Pocky and buttered popcorn and usually smuggles in not-a-little-bit of red wine. She procrastinates from the difficult process of writing by oversharing on Facebook and giving away cool stuff to her newsletter subscribers. Kilby is a citizen, a social-justice fighter, and above all else, a glutton for a good story.
Awards and Accolades
Kilby Blades was the 2018 Recipient of the Best Debut Author distinction in the Emma Awards for Diversity in Romantic Literature. She has won more than twenty additional awards since her debut in 2017.
Snapdragon (Love Conquers None Series #1)
Finalist: 2018 Holt Medallion Award of Merit | Erotic Romance + Best First Book
1st Place: 2018 NECRWA Readers' Choice Awards | Erotic Romance
1st Place: 2017 National Reader's Choice Awards | Best First Book
1st Place: 2018 Book Buyer's Best Contest | Erotic Romance
Bronze Medal: 2018 Independent Publisher Award | Romantic Fiction
Finalist with Honorable Mention : 2018 Foreword Indie Awards |Erotica
Finalist: 2018 Emma Awards for Diversity in Romantic Literature | Erotic Romance
Finalist: 2017 National Reader's Choice Awards | Erotic Romance
Semi-Finalist: 2018 Publisher's Weekly BookLife Prize for Fiction| Romance
Chrysalis (Love Conquers None Series #2)
Finalist: 2018 Emma Awards | Interracial Romance
The Art of Worship
Finalist: 2018 Holt Medallion Award of Merit | Novella
1st Place Winner: 2018 International Digital Awards| Erotic Short
Winner: 2018 IndieReader Discovery Awards | Erotic Novella
Finalist: 2018 Passionate Plume Contest | Novella
Awards for Unpublished Titles
1st Place Winner: CIMRWA Elevation of Love Contest | Women's Fiction:"The Benefactor"
1st Place Winner: Stiletto Contest | Mid-Length Contemporary Romance: "The Secret Ingredient"
1st Place Winner: Stiletto Contest | Long Contemporary Romance: "Crocodile Tears"
2nd Place Winner: The Rudys Contest | Fiction with a Central Romance: "Crocodile Tears"
Finalist: The Writer Award| Contemporary Romance: “Crocodile Tears”
Finalist: The Joyce Henderson Contest | Contemporary Romance: “Crocodile Tears”
Also by Kilby Blades
Snapdragon
Chrysalis
The Art of Worship
Worst Holiday Ever: A Family Drama Romance Anthology
