Changing Course (44 page)
Authors: Aly Martinez
To my Mom: Thank you for agreeing to read the abridged version of
Changing Course
. You know, the one where Brett never says a bad word, and never goes further than holding hands. Most of all, thank you for always supporting me, no matter what wacky idea I had. I may not always be the most thoughtful or the easiest to get along with, but the fact that you put up with me unconditionally means more than you will ever know. I love you.
To my Dad: Oh jeez, thank you for NEVER reading this book. I won’t even send you the abridged version I sent Mama. Trust me, for the sake of awkward Christmas dinner conversation, it’s better this way. But thank you for always being my Daddy. I love you.
To my sister Lori, Thank you for giving me shit and always having my back when I need it, and even when I didn’t know I needed it. Oh, and thank you for the one star rating you will surely give me…ya know, just to keep me in check.
To my sister Jennifer: Thank you for editing the crap-tastic first draft of my very first book. Seriously, you deserve an award for that, but all you are getting is this three sentence acknowledgement. Don’t let it go to your head.
To my brothers, Jay and Matt: If y’all ever open this book, I will never speak to you again. But thanks for letting Mama read this little part to you over the phone, when she finally tells you that I wrote a book. Random, right? Don’t worry, I won’t mention the championship underwear in any of my books. Oh, wait. Nevermind.
To the whole Martinez Family, Juan, Wilma, Telisse, Anthony, and Ashley: Thank you for being my second family, and supporting me every step of the way.
To Autumn: Without you Changing Course would be a drag, and I’m not talking about the good kind of drag. There would be no sexy without you, so I’m sure Brett and Jesse thank you for that, almost as much as I do.
To Ashley T: Thank you for reading every agonizingly rough chapter along the way. Seriously, that was a tough job. I can’t thank you enough for the endless amount of hours you spent brainstorming with me. I can honestly say Changing Course is better because you were involved.
To my AMAZING betas, Bianca, Bianca, Adriana, and Lakrysa: I have no words. Changing Course would never have been the same without y’all. You ladies kept me laughing with your emails, and made me get down and dirty with the ending (Ehm…mean B). I’m so thankful to have such an incredible group of smart, funny, and beautiful ladies to help me on this crazy journey.
To Ashley B: Thank you for making me an amazeballs cover! And for put up with my fifty phone calls asking you to change things. Most of all, thank you for being my friend through thick and thin.
To Biz: What should I say? You have had my back since middle school. It is no surprise you encouraged me to write as well. As long as you swear to never release our high school notes (sp), you will forever be one of my best friends.
To Crystal and Juanita: The ORIGINAL Regina and Anastasia! Thank you for providing me with a million hilarious stories to write about.
To Stacey: The best sprinting partner to ever exist. Thank you for answering all of my drunken questions. Hopefully you will one day be able to use your superhero ability to translate “drunk Aly” to make some money. Your inspirational pictures were always the best! I can’t wait for book two! Gooooooooo!!!
To Tessa: You inspired me in the middle of a Walmart parking lot. You know what? Walmart sells wine! Ennis, I understand it now! Thank you for taking me under your wing and helping me every step of the way.
To Danielle: I was so nervous to tell you I was writing a book, but you became one of my true champions. Thank you for always being just a text message away. I miss you every day!
To Ash and Fall: Yes, I know I already “thanked” y’all, but my White Zin Bookends partners deserve to be thanked again. Thank you for picking up my slack while I was hiding in the writing cave. Thank you for the endless hours of texts, debating the finer points of Brett and Jesse’s relationship. And most of all, thank you for encouraging me to take this giant step. Without you ladies, I never would have had the courage to actually do this.
To every member of The Hen House: Thank you for always supporting me even though I live over a thousand miles away now. We can always have long distance wine nights!
To all of my IRAC ladies: Look, a squirrel! I never would have finished this book without y’all urging me to drink more wine, look at hot guys, and pretend to sprint, when in actuality we just giggle and chat. Best writing group ever!
To Adriana: Thank you for doing a final edit when I was about to lose my mind. You really saved me from a nervous breakdown. Who knew writing a book would be so stressful?
To EM Tippetts: Thank you for not killing me, and for not making me feel like a crazy lady when I sent you emails in the middle of the night with subjects like, “STOP FORMATTING!!” You really renewed my faith in the indie author community.
To Love Between the Sheets: Thank you for being the best promotional service a new author could hope for. I can’t express how much owe you ladies for organizing my cover reveal, blitz, and tour. Most of all, I owe you for answering every one of my random emails.
To all the bloggers: Your endless support and positive words mean the world to me. Thank you for taking a chance on a new author.
Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in Chicago, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.
After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.
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All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without written permission from the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. If you would like to share this book with others please purchase a copy for each person. This eBook my not be re-sold or given away to other people.
Changing Course
is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and occurrences are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, events, or locations is purely coincidental.
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