Redeeming Rhys
Copyright © 2015 by Mary E. Palmerin
Editing by Kellie Montgomery
Cover Image by Designs by Dana
Formatting by Cassy Roop of
Pink Ink Designs
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the written permission of the author or publisher constitutes unlawful piracy and theft of the authors’ intellectual property.
If you would like to use the material from this book (other than for review purposes), prior written consent must be obtained from the author
This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are all used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead, are coincidental.
To Kelly Riley, a woman who has remained by my side since the beginning when no one knew who I was, but that didn’t matter to her. She picked up
Succumbing to Scars and Sorrow
and a life-long friendship immediately formed. Your kindness has given me hope in humanity again, making me understand that good people do exist.
To Julianne McCorkendale, a reader/blogger turned friend. I believe in fate, and
Gwendolyn vs. the Band of Barren Hearts
was just that; fate. Our paths crossed for a reason and I couldn’t be more grateful for your friendship and understanding of the darkness that I create. You hold it close to your heart and I couldn’t be more thankful for that.
This story is for both you ladies. Your friendship means the world to me. I love both of you.
As always, a big thank you to my husband, Domingo, for being there for me during this insane journey of creating ten books. It has taken a lot during the past few years since I decided to take the leap of faith and put myself out there. There has been good times and bad, and he has held my hand every step of the way. I wasn’t prepared at all, but he has remained by my side and kept me grounded. He’s lived these stories with me, tolerated my late nights on weekends, and of course will always have the title of the “Google Master”. Domingo, I love you more than you will ever know.
To my sweet little boys, Cruz and Lincoln; you two are the reason that I strive to be better than who I was yesterday. I want you to look at me and see that nothing is impossible and your dreams are worthy and capable of chasing and attaining. I hope you are proud of me. I love you both more than all the stars in the sky and all the flowers in the fields.
To my family, there are not enough words to express my gratitude. To my sister, Catherine, thank you for living this dream with me and being by my side in NYC, holding my hand at the signing while having more faith in me than I have in myself. To my mother, Lee Ann, you have always been my number one believer. Even though the stories I choose to tell are not hearts and flowers, you still believe in what I do. I hope that I make you proud. To my Aunt Teri, for being the first to know about my book and supporting me every step of the way. Your love for literature and my stories means more to me than you will ever know. Thank you. To my brother, John; thank you for being proud of me even though the stories I tell are not easy to read or hear about.
To Cecily Bonney, my best friend, my soul sister, my beta reader, and so many other things. You were one of my first readers and I know that life brought us together for a reason. It turned into something so much more than that and I am beyond grateful. I can’t say thank you enough for the late night phone calls about plot ideas, twists, minor details, and your ideas have inspired so much in every tale that I create. I am honored to have you alongside of me during this journey. You are the light to my dark and the other part of my soul. Thank you for always be there for me.
To Kelly Riley, my best friend who helps me understand that true, genuine kindness is still present in this world. She was one of my first readers turned into something so much more and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. Your support and encouragement in all my tales makes my heart swell with joy. You are an amazing woman. I promise to one day finish that historical romance that has been on my computer for the last three years.
To Ashleigh Giannoccaro, my writing partner from
The Goodbye Man;
I want to thank you for not only being my writing partner with that book, but being a great friend to me. We have the same kind of writer-brain and you understand why I have to tell the stories I do. You are a phenomenal writer, an amazing woman, and an all-around badass person that I am honored to know and call a friend. Thank you.
To Tara Sanders-Vanover, thank you for being there since the beginning and falling in love with part of me in
Secrets of a Broken Girl.
You have been there for me since the beginning of my writing career and have experienced all the growing pains as well. You understand me, and I can’t thank you enough. I can always count on you for a laugh.
To Jenna Schmitt, thank you for also being there since the beginning and sharing your love for literature with my stories. You hold each character close to your heart and that means so much to me. I love our Fruit Friday traditions and you have become such a great friend to me. Thank you so much!
To Diana Covey from Twisted Sisters’. She signed up for the cover reveal of
Gwendolyn vs. the Band of Barren Hearts
and our friendship started. I would not be where I am at without her. She has exposed all of my books to dark readers, and I am certain that I would not have the courage to spill the words to tell this story if it wasn’t for her. Thank you, Di. You are an incredible woman with a big heart. I would not be where I am today without you.
To Julianne McCorkendale, blogger from Twisted Sisters’. You have become such an amazing friend and supporter of my work. Your passion and encouragement is something that has kept me grounded during my publishing career. Telling dark stories isn’t easy. It’s scary, and you are always there to offer me kind words. I cannot thank you enough. One day I promise to write a story with jars of virginal blood in it just for you. Thanks for your friendship and encouragement. I would be lost without it.
To my new betas that took a chance on me with this story; Debbie, KC, Michelle T., Michelle M., Liz, and Jamie; I cannot thank you ladies enough. Our paths crossed in different ways and I am grateful for each of you. You ladies are wonderful.
To all my girls on my street team, Mary’s Magnificent Minxes: Tara, Samantha W., Nichole, Amanda, Kellie, Jamie, Ashleigh, Julianne, Di, Michelle T., Cecily, Rachelle, Stephanie, Martina, Casey, Samantha T., Thai, Michelle M., Shabby, Taylor, Amy, Kelly, Deniz, Kristina, Jennifer, Debbie, Heather, Jessica, Titian, Liz, Jenna, Darcy, and KC. They are a spectacular group of women who love my stories. Most of all, we have grown to be great friends. They are total rock stars. I love you ladies!
To my editor, Kellie Montgomery. She has lived and breathed re-editing several books with me, birthing the painful aches along the way while polishing my books to make them shine. Thank you, Kellie!
To Dana, friend and cover designer extraordinaire. Thank you for creating such a stunning cover for Rhys. It is PERFECT!
To Love Between the Sheets/ Natalie, thank you so much for the amazing promotion you have done for me with my Monster Series along with this book. You have brought me a slew of new readers and I am so grateful for your hard work and professionalism.
To Kellie Montogomery, my editor and PR gal who is also an incredible person. She has been a person who offers me genuine sound advice. Thanks, Kel!
To Cassy Roop from Pink Ink Designs, who made
The Goodbye Man
so incredibly beautiful on the inside and took on this novel. You rock!
To my readers, I could write thousands of words about how I feel and that would never suffice. I never thought I would have the courage to share any of my stories, but here I am on my tenth book. I want to thank you for taking a chance on this novel. I hope that you enjoy it. As always, carpe fucking diem.
