An Exceptional Twist
Page 39
There are three women in particular that I need to give special thanks to. Each played a vital role, at different stages in my writing process. Jessica, T and Megan, I already dedicated the book to you but need you to know that I couldn’t have EVER completed this novel without your help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks to my beta chicas, who got the first draft of this book, I was able to reevaluate how I wanted the story to feel and to find my characters’ voices. Thank you Julie and Debi for the countless hours you spent with me private messaging back and forth, helping me work things out (especially when I was in tears). Thanks Stephanie, Elle, Teri Beth and Danielle for raking through my manuscript, pointing out the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thank you Karrie, Kathy and K for reading through my entire 125,000 word document (I know!) in such a short amount of time so I could publish this with minimal errors.
I have to give thanks to my author friends who’ve been there for me during the highs and lows. You guys have celebrated with me when I felt like I was on cloud nine and have encouraged me when I felt like throwing it all out of the window. Jess, T and Megan (yep, you guys are in here three times), Melanie Anne, Audrey, Mel, Tania, Lisa, Jaimi, Becca, Erika, Nacole, Elaine, Beverley, Samantha, Jaime, Katy, Jennifer, Emily, Liam, Lynetta, Angel, Tara, Kelsie, Susan…I’m missing a million more but I’m thankful to ALL of you!
Bloggers…I love you!!! Hardest working people ever! I’m not going to name names on here because seriously, there are so many of you that I adore, I would feel awful if I left a name out. Thank you to all of the blog that participated in my cover reveal and those that are signed up for my blog tour. Like I said in my last book, I want to shout from the rooftops, “I love bloggers!!!”
I cannot go without gushing about Cris from the The Book Avenue . Cris you are not only a giving woman who does everything you can to help others but you are an amazing friend. Thank you for everything you have ever done to help promote me but more importantly, thank you for your friendship!
Now how about that cover? Pure gorgeousness!!! Kelsey (photographer), Cameo & Eric (models) make an amazing team. Add in Kari (cover artist) and I’m beyond thrilled with how the cover turned out. Thank you so much for making my vision a reality you guys!
And…thank you most of all to my family and friends who have put up with me as I worked on this book. We experienced the loss of a family member while I was still writing and at times, it was difficult to continue.
Thank you everyone for encouraging me to keep going, finish and now publish An Exceptional Twist.
Kimi grew up in the San Gabriel Valley (mostly Alhambra) and still lives in Southern California. She’s been married to her high-school sweetheart and prom date for 21 years and they have two hilarious boys.
When she’s not reading or writing, Kimi spends her time in the kitchen trying to come up with vegan meals that don’t taste like cardboard. Her family might disagree with this however.
Although she doesn’t loyally follow or have favorite teams/athletes, Kimi loves a good hockey game or motorcross/x-treme sports event.
Volunteering is extremely important to her and she and her family work with several local non-profit organizations. A portion of her sales will always go to charity.
She’s planning on publishing the last two books in this series by the end of the year. Book 3, Tangled Paths, Bri and Josh’s story and book 4, Grafted Vines, Dani and Zachary’s journey. And because every character has a story to tell, there’s a possibility of a novella about Stefen and Bri’s mother’s life. There’s a reason she acts the way she does and she may bug Kimi enough to have it written out.
Maroon 5 – Love Somebody (Theme song)
Colbie Caillet – Fearless
Pink - Try
Muse – Time is running out
John Mayer - Dreaming with a broken heart
A Fine Frenzy – Almost lover
Christina Perry – jar of hearts
Shakira - Addicted to you
Jason Mraz – I won’t give up
Lifehouse – Whatever it takes
Lifehouse – Everything
Lifehouse – Broken
Joshua Radin – I’d rather be with you
Coldplay – Warning Sign
Matt Nathanson – Heartbreak world
Hoobastank – The Reason
Justin Timberlake – Sumer love
Justin Timberlake – That girl
Table of Contents
Chapter One - My Best Friend's Wedding
Chapter Two - Girls from Pasadena Just Seem Nicer
Chapter Three - Latin Style
Chapter Four - Pretty Pink Tootsies
Chapter Five - California Wine Tasting
Chapter Six - Bucketful of Wishes
Chapter Seven - Do Vegetarians Eat Bacon?
Chapter Eight - Roses, How Original
Chapter Nine - What Comes Around Goes Around
Chapter Ten - Good News Travels Fast
Chapter Eleven - Sweet Home, Alhambra
Chapter Twelve - Do You Trust Me?
Chapter Thirteen - El Diablo’s Evil Spawn
Chapter Fourteen - Aim for the Drain
Chapter Fifteen - Just Keeping it Real
Chapter Sixteen - The Friend Zone
Chapter Seventeen - Yeah, but She’s Going Home with Me
Chapter Eighteen - No Need to Sugar Coat Things
Chapter Nineteen - She’s Lucky I Don’t Sleep Naked
Chapter Twenty - Sexy in Any Language
Chapter Twenty-One - But I'm Really Hot
Chapter Twenty-Two - Trust is a Fragile Thing
Chapter Twenty-Three - Poppin’ Bubbles
Chapter Twenty-Four - That Wasn’t a Joke
Epilogue
Bonus Chapter - The Storage Room
Author Preview - Melanie Dawn, Then There Was You
Acknowledgments
About the Author
An Exceptional Twist Playlist