We hope you will also join us afterwards at
Mitchell’s Pub
Live entertainment provided by Alternate Tragedy
More from Becki and Calon...Coming Soon
Acknowledgements
It’s hard to describe what it feels like to write about characters, settings and situations that reside inside my heart. And then to entrust those imaginings to the hearts and minds of people you will never know? Talk about anxiety...
But that’s what I do and these are the people that make it happen.
There is no one on this planet who knows me like my husband. Gracie and Jake were born after a long discussion we had about telling this story. I worried about how raw and painful it would be to write something with components that resonate on a deep level with me personally. He said, “Do you realize the impact this story could have on someone else who’s been in the same situation?” So, thank you Ken for giving me the push I needed to do this...to really do this. I am living my dream and it is all because of you. I love you more than you’ll ever know.
To my children, Matthew, Emily and Izaiah, thank you for your patience with me as I wrote throughout your entire summer vacation. I love you and your big hearts! Thank you for loving what I do almost as much as I do.
I need to thank my dear friend and unofficial counselor, Michelle, for listening to me vent on that bench at the playground and for putting up with my late night texts about tape. Thank you for always letting me pick your brain and for praying for me through this whole process. Your genuine friendship and ability to make me laugh no matter what we’re talking about, means the world to me.
Todd R., I could never have harnessed the goofball relationship between Gracie and Sam without having a goofball best friend like you. I love you and your stellar “vernacular guidance” as I wrote...I hope you approve of the finished product.
Becki’s off-the-cuff personality was based on the personality of my amazing friend and Sigma Kappa sorority sister, Jeni. Ohhhhh, the stories I could have included...but, this is fiction so...you know I can’t do that. Thank you for your life-long friendship and for your surprise visit to my book signing! Maybe including Becki in the sequel will get you to move back permanently? Maybe?
I couldn’t have written this book without consulting my very own SWAT cop about various legalities regarding specifics within Gracie’s storyline. Thanks, Todd P. for taking all my texts and not changing your number.
It may just be possible that I have the best team of beta readers on the planet. In no particular order, Jenee, Jaimie, Sarah, Kathleen, Jamie and Luwanna, a huge thanks goes out to each of you for all the hours you put into making corrections and helping me shape ON SOLID GROUND into what it is today.
Jenee, you are a master of your craft and no one but you could have talked me into an alternating POV. Your tolerance of my long facebook messages and texts was what made this book what it is. You’re brilliant and I love you hard!
Nancy S. Thompson, you are one amazing editor and I hope you’re not sick of me because I plan on using your detail oriented editor brain over and over again. I was floored at the details you caught that needed clarity or a quick (sometimes not so quick) fix. It’s been a pleasure having you along for the ride.
Once again, thanks to my favorite band and their lead dude for continuing to inspire and heal me...Eddie, Stone, Mike, Jeff, Matt and Boom, you are true artists and your humility is beautiful. Within a week of this novel being officially complete, I celebrated with you (although you didn’t know it) on your first night in Philly on the Lightning Bolt Tour. Three people from the rail was the PERFECT way to bring this story to a close. It all started and ended with Pearl Jam. Eddie, there’s a sobbing hug coming your way...someday.
And, of course, a million thanks go out to the thousands of readers and bloggers who rooted for Gracie in IN TOO DEEP and begged for more. To those of you who blogged the snot out of ON SOLID GROUND prior to its release, you freakin’ rock! I hope I fulfilled your hunger for more tears and ugly crying.
Emotional Abuse Resources
Emotional abuse is like brain washing in that it systematically wears away at the victim’s self-confidence, sense of self-worth, trust in their own perceptions, and self-concept. Whether it is done by constant berating and belittling, by intimidation, or under the guise of “guidance,” “teaching,” or “advice,” the results are similar. Eventually, the recipient of the abuse loses all sense of self and remnants of personal value. Emotional abuse cuts to the very core of a person, creating scars that may be far deeper and more lasting than physical ones (Engel, 1992, p. 10).
If you feel you are in an abusive relationship and need help, you are not alone. Please reach out to a professional in your area, at your school, your church or workplace.
There are also a wide variety of resources and hotlines available to you.
National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline — 1-866-331-9474
...and, of course, if you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1
LoveIsRespect.org — A National Teen Dating and Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474 TTY 1-866-331-8453 or chat online on their website
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LoveIsNotAbuse.com — An Organization Committed to Stopping Teen Dating Abuse
You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter — @Love_isnotabuse
LoveIsLouder.com — A movement started by The JED Foundation, MTV and Brittany Snow that spreads the message that love and support are louder than any internal or external voices that bring us down.
You can find them on Facebook and Twitter — @LoveIsLouder
On Solid Ground: Sequel to in Too Deep Page 36
