Ultimate Resolve (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 12)

by Sarah Noffke

  “How do you know I’m being forced?”

  “I’m a master of observation,” he answered.

  She studied the strange squirrel. There was something very intriguing about him, and she didn’t think he was untrustworthy. Paris had a fantastic instinct for people, and animals too.

  In truth, she didn’t want to go, but she didn’t have a choice. Staying in Roya Lane wasn’t going to do her any good. Uncle John was right; she would just get into trouble if she stayed. Paris needed a change. She was overdue for it, and this weird creature had shown up at the eleventh hour and asked to accompany her to a weird place where she’d be inundated with new ideas and people and made to wear a dress. If ever she needed a friend, it was then.

  Looking down at the squirrel, Paris smiled. “Okay, if you want to go with me, you can. But if you do anything nefarious, I’ll turn you into a hat.”

  To her amusement, he grinned, showing a row of sharp teeth. “That’s a deal. I think this is the start of a really great partnership.”

  She sighed, wondering what she’d gotten herself into. “Or this is how I lose my mind.”

  “Who says it can’t be both?” the squirrel asked as they strode forward.

  The two stepped through the portal and entered the world of Happily Ever After College.

  The Beaufont Continues with The Unexplainable Fairy Godmother

  Happily Ever After College has been churning out fairy godmothers for centuries.

  But their outdated curriculum can’t keep up with the modern world.

  They need something edgy. Something new, to keep true love alive.

  They need Paris Beaufont.

  However, this fairy loses her lunch if she watches a romantic comedy. Love songs give her hives. She punched the last guy who tried to flirt with her.

  Needless to say, Paris Beaufont isn’t the romantic type.

  But she’s going to have to learn how to create budding love for others or she’s going to jail.

  When a series of criminal offenses forces Paris to attend fairy godmother college, she has to learn not to just stomach romance, but to master it.

  What this fairy godmother in-training learns isn’t just about love. And what she does for the college might change the planet forever—It is love that makes the world go round, after all.

  Pre-order today and have it delivered to your Kindle Reader at Midnight on March 19, 2021

  Sarah’s Author Notes

  January 28, 2021

  The final book…What can I say, besides thank you for sticking with the series and getting to this point?

  By now, you all must know me well enough to know that I can say much, much more. As mentioned in the last author notes by Michael, I turn this section of the book into a mini novella. Brevity isn’t really my thing. And I have lots of thoughts and pretty much live on a tangent, so all you good people get to hear the random ramblings of my brain after a long push.

  But before I undoubtedly go into my usual long winded author notes I want to say a sincere thank you. Writing this series and the one before it, The Unstoppable Liv Beaufont, has changed my life in so many ways. More on that in a moment. But none of that would have happened if you, the reader, didn’t pick up the books in the first place and gave us a chance. And then continued to read the series. So thank you! So very much.

  Okay, now for the random ramblings direct from Sarah’s brain. The final book in a huge twelve book series. Where do I even begin? Finishing this book was crazy emotional. I cried…a lot. I know you’re shocked. I do have tears although I prefer to make you all cry and thirsts on reader’s tears. But I’ve found that the most effective way to do that is to really get my own emotions into it.

  I didn’t see it coming when Sophia moved back to LA and that’s the part that got me. Mike and I had planned that she’d be the leader of the Rogue Riders, but in my mind, she was always going to do that from the Gullington. So I was pretty heart broken when I learned that Sophia would leave the Castle for a mansion in Beverly Hills. I couldn’t finish the book that night even though it was due to the editor the next day. I was just too sad. So I left the wedding and the final chapter for the next day.

  I woke up early, totally raw from writing nonstop and thinking that the book was maybe mirroring my own life. Maybe my own adventures in Scotland were coming to an end… It was because of the Sophia series that I went there in the first place. The world has been shut for a while and getting back there to see the Scotsman is tough... But I didn’t want to give up and sometimes, that’s all it takes. You see, I sometimes fool myself into being superstitious and thinking, “Oh, this is a sign.” But the logical part of me knows that we look for the signs that confirm what we want and ignore the ones we don’t want. So therefore, if I really want something, then I’ll make it happen. There is no fate at play in my life. I’m the designer.

  So I woke up the next morning and gave Sophia a portal that took her effortlessly between the Rogue Rider Mansion in LA to the Gullington in Scotland. In the end, it didn’t turn out like I thought. It turned out better.

  Sophia got it all: the job, the dragon, the friends, the family, the guy and the home. And yes, I’m hoping that means, I can have it all too. I’m hoping that for all of you. Why confine ourselves?

  My friends have told me that this year when I worried about distance or how things will turn out or getting the books done. My life coach friend (who is actually an accountant but I overlook that) told me this year, “You might have to endorse the idea that your life won’t be conventional.” She’s right. Waking up in LA and being with someone in another country and writing 18 books in a year and having the strangest friends (who are all in the books) and homeschooling my daughter isn’t conventional. And I’m not just okay with that, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Sophia, in the end, I realize now, couldn’t stay at the Gullington. She was always meant for more. She was the change agent and quickly became Hiker’s equal. So it only made sense that she’d lead her own dragaonriders. But I also loved that she got a home in LA, returning to her roots.

  I’ve traveled the world and lived in 15 different places. I’m a nomad, for sure. I remember feeling so lost when I moved to the west coast from Texas, trying to find my spot. Trying to find a place that felt like home. Sophia said it in this book and it really hit home for me, that home wasn’t a place. It was wherever the people she loved were. Mine just happen to be spread across the globe. But really, that’s more of that unconventional thing I’ve got going on.

  Anyway, LA is the first place I’ve ever wanted to buy a home. That’s the goal for this year. A house is very symbolic for me. Knowing that I want to buy a house here means a lot. I love LA. I had both my childhood homes burn down the year I moved to the west coast. It was traumatic, to say the least. So the idea of finding a place where I want to call home and buying that place, well, it is more than a milestone. I feel like all my life has been helping me to get here.

  Wow, that felt sort of heavy after writing it. But all good heavy. I think after writing 12 huge books (really 24 books) over 16 months, I’m going to need time to process. I miss Sophia already. I miss the Gullington. But I know they aren’t gone. Actually, the next series, the Inscrutable Paris Beaufont, is a continuation of this one, just following a new main character. You’ll see Soph and Lun again. You’ll see Liv and Ru. And hopefully the journey will keep going on and on. There’s just something about the Beaufonts.

  Liv, as I’ve mentioned, is sort of modeled after me. Except that whole carrying a giant-made sword around and kicking ass. I only do that on Tuesdays when I get the ninja suit back from the dry cleaners. They always ask about the blood stains.

  Anyway, Sophia was modeled after my daughter, Lydia. She always wants to be a tomboy like me, so she pretends not to like girly stuff. However, her room looks like a pink monster threw up everywhere. And she’s a little fashionista who is constantly disappointed in how much gray I wear. She also spent a ton of our
bells on Animal Crossing on shoes. Anyway, my point is that I wrote the Sophia series with her in mind because I want her to embrace her femininity. Like King Rudolf said, “Don’t hide the fact that you’re a woman. Throw it in their faces while you’re kicking their ass.” I want Lydia to be whoever she is and not allow that to limit her.

  Now the question for me is, who is Paris Beaufont mirrored after? Maybe she’s a mix of Sophia and Liv? Maybe she’s brand new. We know she’ll be a rebel with lots of snark. It took me a bit to find Sophia’s voice when I first started this series, as I was trying to make it different from Liv’s, but similar. I’m sure I’ll have similar challenges with Paris.

  I really appreciate all you fans and wished I could put you all in my books. Over time, I plan to. This was my 77th book to write. When asked when I was stopping, I answered, why stop? I’m living to 120 and currently I’m almost 40, so I see no reason I can’t get to a 1000. The math works and I can even scale back to writing only like 10-12 books a year. Anyway, the newbie dragonriders were named after fans: Rob, Fred, Will and Stephen. Thanks for all your support.

  In the last author notes, Mike indulged us with information on his new interests in cooking. Did anyone else miss the part where he invited me to dinner? I’m keto. Barbeque is perfect for my lack of carb intake. Just no barbeque sauce, Mike. Oh and no potatoes, bread, mac and cheese or baked beans. So pretty much all the stuff worth living for. Is it a wonder that my characters have to eat calorie rich stuff to refill their magic and can’t get fat? Wish fulfillment, for sure.

  Anyway, about this dinner you’re cooking up for me, Mike. I mean, I had no immediate plans of going to Las Vegas, but if I did, well, I’ll keep looking for the invitation.

  Thanks for all the creative brainstorming sessions, Bird Killer. Let’s keep creating stories and hope the readers love them! Cheers, friend!

  Much love and peace,

  Tiny Ninja

  Michael’s Author Notes

  January 29, 2021

  Thank you for reading through Little Ninja’s wonderful ramblings (and the story too, let’s not forget) to these author notes.

  Because if the story wasn’t charming enough, I’m sure we can make it less so.

  Wait…more so?! Less…. Right, more! More charm.

  All the good stuff.

  “Bird Killer, Death Killer just don’t wanna be a Dream Killa…”

  The opening of Rap Master Little Ninja’s New Rap Opus…Due out on “Epic Records for Two Hit Wonders” anytime soon. Maybe…

  Probably not. Not if it means I’m writing the lyrics.

  Sarah was chatting with me yesterday explaining that she had forgotten that she called me ‘bird killer’ so much in some of our author notes. A fan (of hers apparently) reminded her. I say of hers because why-the-hell would one of my fans remind HER about calling me that?

  I just don’t get it. That’s like winding up one of those little metal birds and watching it hop around until it falls over. You wind up Sarah and she hops around chattering like a metal bird ‘Bird Killer Bird Killer Bird Killer!’

  I love it… No, no I don’t.

  So, I’ll get more of it, I’m sure ;-)

  I’m excited about the fun coming our way with the new series. I think Paris is going to be a unique and fun character. She’s a Beaufont through and through.

  She just has to learn that, first.

  Barbecue

  For the record, I’ve grilled on the pit, but I’ve not made any BBQ. However, I’m happy to tell you (Sarah) how delicious the steaks were that I made.

  I will happily mail you a BBQ Gift Certificate so that you can enjoy BBQ to your hearts content. Just let me know the BBQ location you love and I’ll make it happen.

  I will be doing a brisket in the (nearish) future. I plan on low and slow and using paper for the end, not foil. I have purchased a mop brush and have not figured on any sides except bread at the moment.

  I’m stoked!

  But, before that? Pizza!

  Talk to you later, I’ve now accomplished making myself hungry.

  Ad Aeternitatem,

  Michael

  Acknowledgments

  Sarah Noffke

  I feel like I’m on the stage at the Oscars, accepting an award when I write my acknowledgments. I stand there, holding this award, my hands shaking and my words racing around in my mind. I’m not an actress for a reason. I’m a writer and talking to people in “real life” is hard. Not to mention a ton of people all at once.

  I picture looking out at the audience and being blinded by spotlights and forgetting every word of the speech I memorized just in case I won. The speech would go like this and it’s meant for all of you, not the guild. For the fans. The supporters. The people who are the reason I would ever stand on any stage, ever.

  Okay, here we go. I clear my throat and smile, looking up at the camera, holding the little golden man. And then I begin:

  This was never supposed to happen. I was never meant to publish a book and then another one. And then another. I was supposed to write in private and live a life that Henry David Thoreau called a life of “quiet desperation.” I would always hope to share my books, but never bring myself to do it. And you would never read my words. But then, in a crazed moment of brashness, I did share my books and you all liked them. And because of that, I’ve never been the same. And here I am feeling grateful all just because…

  That’s why I’m here. Because of you. Thank you to my first readers. The ones who picked up those books that I didn’t even outline and you still liked them. You messaged me and maybe you thought it was no big deal, but when your ego is new to the publishing world, it’s a big deal.

  I can’t thank you readers enough. I’ve found that reading your reviews helps me to start a chapter when I’m stuck or lazy.

  I really need to thank someone who has made this all possible and that’s my father. I was going to quit. I can’t tell you how many times I quit. But when I wasn’t making it, he was the one who told me to not throw in the towel. “Give yourself a timeline,” he suggested. If I didn’t get to my goal by then, I’d quit. And apparently there was magic in that advice, because I’m still doing this. Dad, you’re the pragmatic one, but when you believed in me enough to tell me to not quit, I knew I had to follow your advice.

  And I thank all my friends who are constantly supporting me with thoughts of love and encouragement. Most don’t read my books. I’m sort of self-deprecating, although I’m working on it and will be the first to tell my friends, “My books probably aren’t for you.” However, every now and then a friend surprises me and says, “I was up all night reading your books.” It’s always a total shock. But my point is, that even if they didn’t read, I still have the best friends ever. Diane, you’re my rock. And I love you, even though you will probably not read this.

  Thank you to everyone at LMBPN. Those people are like family to me, although I’m not sure if they’ll let me sleep on their couch. Well, who am I kidding? They totally will. Big thanks to Steve, Lynne, Mihaela, Kelly, Jen and the entire team. The JIT members are the best.

  Huge thank you to the LMBPN Ladies group on Facebook. Micky, you’re the best. And that group keeps me sane.

  And a giant thank you to the betas for this series. Juergen you are my first reader and friend. Thanks for all the help. And thanks to Martin and Crystal for being some of the best people I know. What would I do without you? A huge thanks to the ARC team. Seriously, if it weren’t for you all I might pass out before release day, wondering if anyone will like the book.

  And with all my books, my final thank you goes to my lovely muse, Lydia. Oh sweet darling, I write these books for you, but ironically, I couldn’t write them without you. You are my inspiration. My sounding board. And the reason that I want to succeed. I love you.

  Thank you all! I’m sorry if I forgot anyone. Blame Michael. For no other reason than just because.

  Books By Sarah Noffke

  Sarah Noffke wr
ites YA and NA science fiction, fantasy, paranormal and urban fantasy. In addition to being an author, she is a mother, podcaster and professor. Noffke holds a Masters of Management and teaches college business/writing courses. Most of her students have no idea that she toils away her hours crafting fictional characters. www.sarahnoffke.com

  Check out other work by Sarah author here.

  Ghost Squadron:

  Formation #1:

  Kill the bad guys. Save the Galaxy. All in a hard day’s work.

  After ten years of wandering the outer rim of the galaxy, Eddie Teach is a man without a purpose. He was one of the toughest pilots in the Federation, but now he’s just a regular guy, getting into bar fights and making a difference wherever he can. It’s not the same as flying a ship and saving colonies, but it’ll have to do.

  That is, until General Lance Reynolds tracks Eddie down and offers him a job. There are bad people out there, plotting terrible things, killing innocent people, and destroying entire colonies. Someone has to stop them.

  Eddie, along with the genetically-enhanced combat pilot Julianna Fregin and her trusty E.I. named Pip, must recruit a diverse team of specialists, both human and alien. They’ll need to master their new Q-Ship, one of the most powerful strike ships ever constructed. And finally, they’ll have to stop a faceless enemy so powerful, it threatens to destroy the entire Federation.

  All in a day’s work, right?

  Experience this exciting military sci-fi saga and the latest addition to the expanded Kurtherian Gambit Universe. If you’re a fan of Mass Effect, Firefly, or Star Wars, you’ll love this riveting new space opera.