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My Treasured Reader
Thank you so much for taking the time to read Awake in Cheshire Bay. I wrote this novella in the span of just over a week. I typed the first words out on August 4th, 2020, and seven days later, I finished typing up the epilogue, which underwent a few revisions before you read what you did. It was incredible, and I averaged four-thousand words a day, but I had to keep going. Amber needed to find her happy ending, and she deserved it too, and of course, Antonio was the guy to give it to her, to see beyond the proverbial wall she kept high, and I loved that about him. When she was her most vulnerable, he was his most endearing and protective. Plus, that accent. Who doesn’t find an accent attractive? I felt my time in Cheshire Bay had come to an end, but then a boxed set contribution called out to me, asking for a short story – novella Christmas themed story. YES! I could write a Christmas story, and that’s how the epilogue came to have so many changes. What will Lily & Eric, Cedar & Mitch, and Amber & Antonio be up to at Christmas? Dun-dun-dun! Guess you’ll have to preorder the set (Sugar Plum Kisses) and see.
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As an author, it makes my day when I read a review posted from a reader, as it's like a virtual hug, and it gives me a little more visibility in the bookish world. If you don't mind, can you post a review of Awake in Cheshire Bay on your favourite retail site, or on Goodreads? Reviews don't have to be long, essay types - even something as nice as "Amber could be my best friend" or "Loved it, looking forward to the next read" truly helps.
Thank you so much for spending your time with me and being a part of my journey!
See you in the next book.
H.M. Shander
Other Books by H.M. Shander
One-click to add new reads to your collection.
Run Away Charlotte
Ask Me Again
Duly Noted
That Summer
If You Say Yes
Serving Up Innocence
Serving Up Devotion
Serving Up Secrecy
Serving Up Hope
It All Began with a Note
It All Began with a Mai-Tai
It All Began with a Wedding
Noel
Whistler’s Night
Behind the Mask
Unmasking River
Return to Cheshire Bay
Adrift in Cheshire Bay
Awake in Cheshire Bay
Christmas in Cheshire Bay
Guarding Her Heart – exclusive to Game Changer
Sugar Plum Kisses anthology
Up to Date listings can be found on my website.
www.hmshander.com
Acknowledgements
Wow – Awake in Cheshire Bay is my nineteenth published book. I’m floored I have that many written! Holy smokes. WOW. Seriously, I’m in awe of being able to do what I love, and to fulfill my dream, but writing these thanks yous never gets easier. Never. Always afraid I’ll miss someone, or a category will be left out. And then I wonder, does anyone even read these? I know as an author, I do, but I wonder do readers? Anyways, writing a book for the most part, is a solo endeavor, but I could not have this ready for you to read if not for the cheerleading and support of some magnificent people in my life.
This book fell out of me rapidly, and I could type the story fast enough. Of course, that was just the first draft, the hard work came with the alpha reading, and a couple more read throughs, before it went out to my critique partner. After she dissected what worked and what didn’t, it got more read throughs for flow and pacing before I sent it out to a couple beta readers. Once they said the story was good to go, I handed over the reins to the editor. Recommended changes completed, another read through, and then a listen – did you know MS Word will read your highlighted words? It’s great as a final tool to make sure a word wasn’t missing, or any little detail was neglected. Then it was formatted, and ready for the readers and retail sites. But it couldn’t have gotten there without some much-needed assistance along the way.
First – my Shander family, whom you may know on my social media platforms as Hubs, The Teen, and Little Dude. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me pursue what I love doing, for something that allows me to transport myself to another time and place. Thank you for letting me work, and for encouraging me to keep going and to chase my dreams, and for the nonstop coffees I sometimes needed when I was on a role. I love you all with my whole heart.
To my parents and in-laws and extended family – Thank you for your support, endless cheerleading, and encouraging your friends and family to give my books a try. Having you visit me at markets and book signings means the world. I have an amazing family, and every day I’m thankful to you all. Thanks for being you.
To my wonderfully dedicated alpha reader – Mandy. Seriously, it was a busy autumn of back and forths, and I’m so appreciative of your immediate next day, if not sooner, feedback on each chapter as you received it. I’m grateful to you for being excited to read whatever I’ve written, usually in it’s less than ideal form. Your comments about what works, what sucks, and what can be improved on are a Godsend. I’m glad for our writership.
To my critique partner – Josephine. Thank you for taking the manuscript and finding the heart within it and making that shine. Your effort and dedication to pulling out the best story warms my heart, and I’m thrilled you’re now out in the writing world, leaving your own style on the masses. Some stories need work, and I’m happy that Amber and Antonio have the best version of their love story.
To my beta readers – Shauna, Dawn, and Melissa. Thank you for letting me know where the story dragged, and where you felt more information was needed. I’m glad you found the pacing great, and were so into the story, the time flew by. Your overall feedback is a gift I’ll treasure always. Thanks – and I’m sticking with “adorable & addictive”.
To my cover designer – Eleanor. I’m drooling. These covers are my favourite and I’m constantly torn which one is my absolute favourite – but that would be like picking a child, right? I’m grateful to have found you, as you weave your magic into the covers, including my brand, and make them everything I want and then some. I just know we’re going to be working together on more.
To my editor – Irina. It nice to get the MS back with fewer and fewer red mark ups – at least on most of the punctuation/grammar parts. There are still lots of comments and issues I need to work on, but I appreciate you taking the time away from your schooling to work on these manuscripts and for answering my endless stream of questions. Thanks for the polishing on the stories.
If I missed you, it certainly wasn’t intentional. I know I couldn’t be where I am without the help of so many others. Thank you! And thank you for reading and making it all the way to the end. You all rock.
About the Author
USA TODAY bestselling author H.M. Shander is a stargazing, romantic at heart who once attended Space Camp and wanted to pilot the space shuttle, not just any STS – specifically Columbia. However, the only shuttle she operates in her real world is the #momtaxi; a reliable SUV that transports her two kids to school and various sporting events. When she’s not commandeering Betsy, you can find the elementary school librarian surrounded by classes of children as she reads the best storybooks in multiple voices. After she’s tucked her endearing kids into bed and kissed her trophy husband goodnight, she moonlights as a contemporary romance novelist; the writer of sassy heroines and sweet, swoon-worthy heroes who find love in the darkest of places.
If you want to know when her next he
art-filled journey is coming out, you can follow her on Twitter(@HM_Shander), Facebook (hmshander), or check out her website at www.hmshander.com.
Thanks for reading– all the way to the very end.
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