Choices (24 page)

Acknowledgements

I wouldn’t have ever written this book had my sister not lived and died. She lived a life I didn’t have to. Thank you, Donna, for making me who I am. There are so many things I wish I had said.

Mom, thank you for being the rock in the family, the glue that held us together. I miss them, too.

Shawn, thank you for being you.
The road has not been easy, but when I needed you most, you rode up and took me away. You made me feel worthy, and you’ve given me the best years of my life. We share something I never imagined possible. You are the one.

To my girls….
I pray that someday you will look back and always know you were loved, treasured, and cherished. May you love yourselves as I love you. Grow, learn, and never, ever forget that you are everything to someone. I gave you life, but I also gave you each other. Love each other. Support each other. Fight and make-up. But always be there for each other.

Thank you,
Kristyn, for helping create these characters. So much of you is in Jenna, and I treasure those memories. I loved sharing the story with you, crying and laughing, all of the way.

A special thanks to my beta reader, sounding board, and friend, Sharon
McGauley. From across the world, I received your message and answered it. I am so glad I did! Honestly, I do not know if I would have ever finished
Choices
without you. From the beginning, you saw something special when I saw nothing. You gave me the courage to not only write this story but also to share it with others. I don’t know what I would have done without you! There aren’t enough words.

To MSA, my friend, my photographer,
my chicken chaser, and my strongest supporter. Of all my friends, you were the first to be introduced to Declan, Brody, and Quincy. I remember telling you I was writing a book. I had to force the words from my mouth, and I was actually embarrassed. I reluctantly sent you the words that were so dear and personal to me. I bared my soul for the first time, and you loved it! Your encouragement spurred me on, even when I was ready to give up. You brought my characters to life, and you asked for nothing in return. I’m working on that, though.

Julia, thank you for listening to my crazy rants, reading
, and re-reading my story. You are the best proofreader there is, and your support has been priceless.

Kelly, Traci, Jodi, and Katherine.
Thank you for being great beta readers! Your input was so important, and your words gave me the confidence I need to make
Choices
what it is.

Sheila, thank you for listening to me and for always being there.
I only hope I am the same kind of friend to you as you are to me.

Nicole Reed, Rachel Van
Dyken, and Kelly Elliot. You are strangers to me, but you did not hesitate to answer my questions and give me advice. It may not have seemed like much, but it meant the world to me. Nicole, your advice was honest and practical. Rachel, you were so helpful! I know you had to get tired of me. And Kelly, your advice was awesome and your no-holds barred attitude was refreshing. I laugh out loud at your posts, and it makes me wish I lived in Texas.

The real Declan is a 3 years old heartbreaker,
and I love his parents to pieces. I used his name, and I thought of you guys many times throughout this whole process.

Denise Tung,
I know you get a thousand requests a day, but for some reason, you answered mine. Your blog advice got me started on the right path, and I don’t know where I’d be without it. We share a cause, and I love you more for it. Maybe someday, we’ll work together to raise money for one of our favorite charities.

My editor, KM
Krick, doesn’t think she did much, but she was an outside source, and I valued her opinion. Every little red line and every little comma made
Choices
a better book. And you were so down to earth, I like to think we’d be great friends if we lived closer together.

And the bloggers and other authors who offered support… I can never name you all, but I will
try. A special thanks to the lovely women at Swoon Worthy Books for hosting my blog tour! Your work was exceptional, very professional, and greatly appreciated. Ada, you were my little cheerleader, and I wish you the best with your book. Megan Elliot, I appreciated your support and honesty. I hope you do well in whatever you choose. Tamsyn, what can I say? You are awesome, and I expect great things from you. Same DiNamics, The Book Blog, Sandwich Making Book Bitches, Novel Grounds, Michael Burhans, Bridger Book Blog, Ts Bookish Moments of Escape, Naughty and Nice Book Blog, Nose Stuck in a Book Blog, Three Chicks and Their Books, Chick Lit Club, Kats Reads, Crystal’s Many Reviews, Tessa’s Take Blog, Book Love Between the Sheets, Mary’s Crazy Book Obsession, Erika Ashby, Stories and Swag, Indie Bookshelf, YA Novel Reader, SK Anthony, Carrie Sutton, Debbie the Book Vixen, Falling in Fall, The Book Hookers, Sugar and Spice Book Reviews, Flirt and Dirty Book Blog, Book Bitches Blog, and all of the other bloggers who participated in my cover reveal, book release, and blog tour…. thank you, thank you, thank you!

And to everyone who reads Choices, may it touch you as it does me.

If you or anyone you know experiences depression or have suicidal thoughts, take it seriously and seek professional help. You may save a life.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline – 1-800-273-8255

Stop bullying at home. Teach your children to love themselves and others.

Choices Playlist

Hinder – Thing
For You

Muse – Madness

Pink – Just Give Me a Reason

Maroon 5 – In the Daylight

The Veronicas – Can’t Stay Away

Cassadee Pope – Over You

Lifehouse – Falling Even More In Love With You

Jason Aldean (ft. Kelly Clarkson) – Don’t You Wanna Stay

Lifehouse ft Natasha Bedingfield – Between the Raindrops

Rihanna ft Mikky Ekko - Stay

Sister

She was...

a
daughter

an
artist

a
victim

an
avid bookreader

a
mother

a
child of God

an
animal lover

and
she was...

funny

self-conscious

caring

street-wise

so
proud of me

and
she was also...

a
drug abuser

but
she was...

not
defined by it

she
was....

a
friend

my
sister

Her name was Donna.

About the Author

Sydney Lane lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and children. Growing up in Smalltown, USA, Sydney dreamed of being a writer. After spending an outrageous amount of money to go to college and reading thousands of books, Sydney finally decided to follow her heart. With her babies in bed and husband neglected, she worked by the light of her laptop and wrote
Choices
. Sydney is very active in charity work for anti-bullying and depression awareness groups.

Please feel free to contact me and offer feedback or ask questions.

[email protected]

I also have a community page on facebook for Author Sydney Lane. Please check there for information on new releases, teasers, and more!