A Torey Hope Novel Series: The Complete 4-Book Box Set
Page 22
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional
Mix all together.
Spread over cooled bars and sprinkle with nuts if desired.
These are very moist and they freeze wonderfully.
Acknowledgments and Thanks
To the amazing people who have supported me throughout this journey. You have no idea how much I appreciate you, but I’m going to try to put it into words. Let me just start with a huge THANK YOU!
Oh my! Where to start? First, I will begin by thanking God. That’s not just a cliché little saying for me. I have a strong faith in God and I know that I would be nothing and be nowhere today without Him.
I want to thank Jodie D. for prodding me to write a book. Jodie and I share a love of the romance genre and she constantly persisted that I should write something. She’s been one of my biggest supporters and cheerleaders since all of this started. She was also my very first beta reader. It was so scary to let my baby go before someone else’s eyes, but Jodie read it and loved it. Well, she didn’t love it so much as to say it was great at that point (because it wasn’t, at all), but she loved the idea of it so much that she helped me make For Nicky what it is today. I am so thrilled that she’s been on this journey with me! I hope that we can continue on the trip together.
I want to thank my family. My husband and children have had to put up with me sticking headphones in and closing the door to write for hours at a time. My husband is NOT a fan of reading, but he’s supported me the entire way. I love the three of them more than words can describe. I’d also like to thank the rest of my family. From the moment they heard I was writing a book, my parents have been nothing but supportive. It doesn’t even matter WHAT I’m writing, they are proud of me and cheering me on. The world of independent publishing is new to me and very foreign to most of my family members, but they support me through it all and that means the world to me.
A HUGE thank you to my editors. I’m lucky to have a fairly firm grasp of grammar rules; however, after reading something as many times as a writer reads her own work, mistakes slip by. I needed new eyes to help me see my mistakes. Karen H. and Stephanne M. were those eyes. Karen pointed out many things to me, the main thing being extreme overuse of two things. After she brought it to my attention, I almost gouged my eyes out when I went back for another read. How did I not notice how many times I had used those?? Stephanne was probably about to gouge her own eyes out with my comma misuse. I own it, I’m terrible with commas. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Karen and Stephanne, for your editing skills. Especially because I know the genre I write isn’t one that you would choose to read. Your help was invaluable.
I would be remiss if I didn’t say thanks to some other authors. What started out as me fan-girling on some of these ladies, turned into me asking them questions and them offering me support and answers. Aleatha Romig (author of the Consequences series, if you haven’t read it, go get it NOW) is basically my neighbor, although we’ve never met. Aleatha has been so sweet and helpful with all of my newbie questions. Nina Lane (author of one of my top favorite series A Spiral of Bliss) has answered about 101 questions from me and never made me feel like a bother. Mia Sheridan (author of MANY great books, but one of my top 5 favorites, Archer’s Voice) has proven to be kind and patient as I continually bombard her with questions. Lynetta Halat (author of some of my favorites, Everything I’ve Never Had and Every Rose being two of them) was one of the first I attacked with author questions and she never made me feel bad for asking. Sarah Robinson (author of Tainted Bodies and Tainted Pictures) was the first author in indie world to reach out to me and offer support. She gave me my first taste of an “author takeover” and I appreciate her so very much for that.
I want to thank old friends. Jodie, Deb S., Dona A., Kris W., Jen L., Merry L., Jennifer M.—MY BETA READERS—THANK YOU!! Merry, thank you for the music suggestion. Juana, Karen, Emily, Lucinda, Jennifer B., Stacy, Farrah, Lindsey, Jodie, Jennifer R., Jennifer L., Dona, Kris, thank you all for listening to me blather on and on about my book! Just having you to listen was priceless. To my May Mommies! Wow! Together since 2004/2005 and still going strong. Thank you for your support. All of you. I know my book isn’t one that some of you would choose to read, but knowing that I have your support is very important to me. And, to Sean! I guess you’d be a “May Daddy”? Thank you so very much for always being willing to answer my questions!
Thank you to all of my family and friends who will buy this book just because I wrote it! I know some of you will never actually read it, but knowing that you’d buy it just to show your support is humbling and heart-warming. Also, thanks to all of my family and friends who helped me get my Facebook page up and running. You were among my first likes on that page and now it’s nearing 1000 likes before I’ve even hit publish. Thanks for being there from the beginning.
To new friends! I’ve been in the world of indie authors on Facebook just over a month now, and I’ve met some of the most kind, helpful, genuine people I’ve ever known. I am in awe at the support of bloggers and authors; it truly feels like a tight-knit little community. Laura C., LW Michelle, Colleen L. Eryn S., Ava M., Cristy R., are just a few names that have quickly become my friends and have helped me more than I can explain. I can’t even begin to list all of the others who have offered support and answered questions for me! I’m excited to be in this little world with all of you!
To my readers, THANK YOU for taking a chance on For Nicky!! I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please leave me a review and tell your friends to read For Nicky! I hope you will continue on this wild ride with me and follow Audrey’s story as well. I think Nicky may even get his own story. You just never know!
From the bottom of my heart, to ALL of you, THANK YOU!!!
Because of Beckett
A Torey Hope Novel Book 2
A.D. Ellis
www.facebook.com/adellisauthor
Copyright © 2014
Copyright © 2014 by A.D. Ellis
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof
may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever
without the express written permission of the publisher
except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover, spine, back by
Selfpubbookcovers.com
SelfPubBookCovers.com/Lori
Introduction
Reviews for Because of Beckett by A.D. Ellis
Dedication
Because of Beckett
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Epilogue
How to Connect with A.D. Ellis
Acknowledgments and Thanks
PLAYLIST for Because of Beckett
RESOURCES
Judy Jordan’s Chocolate Sheet Cake
Introduction
Warning! If you haven’t read For Nicky, A Torey Hope Novel, Book #1, I strongly advise you to read it FIRST!! You can get it here bit.ly/ForNicky
This book in your hand is not a sequel, but you honestly need to r
ead For Nicky before you read Because of Beckett so that you can be emotionally vested in Audrey’s story. Please heed my warning because I want you to feel a connection to Because of Beckett. (As a side note….I didn’t plan on writing Audrey’s book so please don’t think this is a ploy to get you to purchase another book….Audrey’s story came to me as a surprise as I was writing For Nicky. I just want you to get the most out of both of these stories and reading them in order will allow for that.)
If you’re still reading this introduction, I’m going to assume you’ve read For Nicky and you’re ready to tackle Audrey’s story.
I know, I know, you all hated Audrey in For Nicky! Honestly, I hated her, too. But, she kept bugging me to tell her story; well, since you all know Audrey, you know she actually badgered me into telling her story. I’m so glad I did, though. If I’ve done my job you will sympathize with her almost immediately. Some of my readers may also empathize with her and for that I offer my sincere love and support to you. In addition to being glad that Audrey got to share her story, I’m so happy with this story because we get to meet and love Jeremiah and Beckett Jordan.
One last warning, this is a heavy story. Don’t get me wrong, there are lighthearted parts, but a person like Audrey doesn’t get to that point with a past full of sunshine and roses. Her story isn’t a pretty one; sadly though, it’s not an unrealistic one. I hope that by the end of the book you’ll celebrate Audrey’s healing, growth, and overcoming her past.
This story is all about love, forgiveness, and second chances. Just like in For Nicky there are many facets of love in this story. Forgiveness of others and, possibly most importantly, forgiveness of self is something we should all embrace. Giving and taking second chances and learning from mistakes are both part of the central theme in Because of Beckett.
I think that readers who loved For Nicky will love Because of Beckett just as much!
Happy Reading!
Reviews for Because of Beckett by A.D. Ellis
Once again A.D. Ellis writes a book that will pull at your heartstrings. Just as with For Nicky, her new book Because of Beckett will have you smiling and feeling the disappointments and joy of her characters. ~~J.P.
A.D. Ellis really makes you feel the emotions of these characters as you read thru the pages of this heartwarming novel. This is such a beautiful love story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and will leave you with a smile on your face. ~~D.B.
A.D. Ellis really does it this time. It is a can't-put-the-book-down kind of love story.~~D.G.
A.D. Ellis really brings this story to life in a truly moving tale.~~G.B.
What a touching story. A.D. Ellis really warms your heart with this story of passion, drama and just enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. ~~ D.S.
In Because Of Beckett A.D Ellis has brought to life beautiful characters & tells a story of self-discovery, forgiveness & acceptance. Your heart will bleed for the young Audrey, but it will cheer for the adult Audrey and all of her victories & successes. Once you start reading you will not want to put this book down until you're finished.~~L.W.
WOW! What a great 2nd book to a series, one of the best ones I've read! The story picks up for Audrey dealing with what happened to her as a child and you also find out Jeremiah and Beckett's back story. I fell in love with the old characters all over again and also with the new ones. How Audrey and Jeremiah meet and then following their relationship was so much fun to read. I laughed and cried while reading this story and even though the stories have been told in full, absolutely love the Epilogue, I would love to read more. So instead I'll say good-bye to them and wait for A.D Ellis next book. No matter what you read I think everyone will love this book!~~S.L.
A.D. Ellis brings a wide range of emotions to her novel. You laugh, you cry and you realize even the ones that are so messed up inside have a chance of healing and falling in love…completely turning their lives around.~~L.S.
What a great story of second chances and forgiving of one self when trying to become a better person. Plus the story has a hot tattooed loving single dad who finds his forever.~~S.P.
Dedication
This book would not have been possible without the patience of my husband and children. Thank you to my husband for attempting to hide his glazed eyes and blank stare when I talk about my writing, my book, and publishing.
To my children, yes, Mommy is working on another book. Yes, Mommy is still writing. Yes, Mommy will probably write another book. No, you can’t read Mommy’s book.
This time around, I have to dedicate this book to my readers. You took a chance on For Nicky and encouraged me to get Audrey’s story written. You hated Audrey, but almost every single one of you said you’d at least give her a chance if I told her story. Thank you!
Lastly, I dedicate this book to any of my readers who can understand what Audrey has been through because you’ve suffered through the same. You have my sincere love and support.
~~I can only show love
when I know how
loved I am.~~
You don’t love someone because they’re perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they’re not.
{Jodi Picoult}
Because of Beckett
Prologue
“Jeremiah, I can’t do this anymore. I can’t be around him and have people stare at him all the time. Half of them look at him like he’s less than human and half of them look at me with speculative eyes, trying to figure out if any of his problems are my fault.” She looked at him with pleading eyes, begging him not to stop her.
He couldn’t say that he was surprised, it’s not like their relationship had been all that serious. But, instinctively, he knew he had to protect Beckett from her.
“Fine. Go. But, if you leave, don’t ever come back to us.” Jeremiah said this with conviction. He said it, possibly, with a sliver of hope that she would choose to stay with him. But, he said it with finality. If she left, she would never be welcomed back.
She walked away, right then, that day, never turning back. He didn’t dwell, his heart didn’t hurt, he picked Beckett up and their lives went right on as if nothing had happened.
Chapter 1
Audrey
At my lowest point, my sister walked in while I was on my hands and knees, in my kitchen, being fucked up the ass by a man from whom I had "purchased" drugs. I traded sex for the pills. Pills I used to drug my sister and her boyfriend. So she would walk in and see him fucking me.
Yeah, I guess you could say I had hit the proverbial rock bottom.
My name is Audrey Decker. I'm a bully…a mean girl…a bitch.
I’ve been vanquished to intense in-patient therapy for a month. In the beginning, I was pissed at everyone who had a hand in putting me here. I hated the staff here at the inpatient center. I refused to talk. But, my new therapist kept at me and eventually broke me down. He promised that he’d stop bugging me if I just gave in to talking to him. So I agreed, just to shut his ass up.
Dear Beth,
I hope you know how much I hate you right now. Nothing I’ve ever done to you even comes close to comparing to what you’ve done to me. You blackmailed me with taking my business away if I didn’t do this stupid and degrading therapy. I don’t need therapy. Just because you’re jealous of me doesn’t mean I need therapy. I had hoped we could be friends as well as sisters, but now I don’t think we can even be sisters.
No love here,
Audrey
Every day, multiple times a day, my therapist, Dr. Xander, made me dig bone and soul deep to help me figure out the WHY of me being a bully, a mean girl, a bitch. Why did I need the control? Why did I need the power? Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, we had found the answer to that question. But, the answer was something I had buried deep, hidden it so that it would never be found. It was ugly and it was disgusting. I spent hours in the shower after sessions trying to wash the filth from me. I was grateful for Dr. Xander being there to as
sist me to unearth these repressed memories and that he was able to help me sort through them and deal with them as I was able to unpack each of them.
We made our first breakthrough on a Monday. I had been at the center for about a week. My sessions had been informative up until that point but nothing earth shattering. Dr. Xander had warned me that he would keep pushing and prodding until he made me reach deep inside. He told me that I was sharing frivolous stuff. Sure, I used sex for fun and power. Yep, I bullied my sister. No doubt I looked down on people with disabilities and those that weren’t as good or pretty as me. But, these were superficial. He wanted the root problem and he wouldn’t stop until he got to it. Dr. Xander was like a deep-earth driller; he never faltered he kept channeling through all of my shit until he hit pay dirt. Some days he was a bulldozer, some days he was content to just sift gently through the pieces that he was finding. The good, or bad, part was that he made me sift through the pieces as well, and I never liked the fragments I picked up.
My day started every morning at 7am. Breakfast was served in my room. I was allowed to have two sets of lounge clothes from home to sleep in but I had to be showered and dressed in soft pants and a plain t-shirt or sweatshirt by 8am. Luckily, my sister, Beth, had brought me the allowed clothing items along with a few toiletries that were considered permissible. I had never felt so vulnerable and ugly in my entire life; Audrey Decker doesn’t go through the day in lounge clothes and no make-up. Audrey Decker fixes her hair perfectly every day, applies just the right make-up to accentuate her impeccable features, and dresses to the nines to highlight a bombshell body. This new wardrobe that had been forced upon me was another reason I was beyond pissed about being here.