The Real(99)

“I have too many. Goddess, light, hope, heart, mother, wife, healer, menace, beautiful, life, sex, empath, sunshine . . . and rain.”

“And rain?”

“Yep.”

“But you hate the rain.”

“Not anymore,” he said as he twisted my wedding ring from inside my palm to right it on my finger before he kissed it.

“Anything else?”

“Real.”



The End



Listen to The Real Playlist on Spotify





According to the NCADV-National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.

1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.

1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetime to the point in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed.

Read more about it here: ncadv.org/statistics

If you need help please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline





1-800-799-7233





Thank you to every reader who has given any of my books a chance. Because of you, all my dreams have come true. I’m forever grateful and I hold you in my heart.

I’ve got so much love for this community. I want to thank every blogger who spent their precious time reading and promoting my words. Thank you will never be enough for all you do. You’re appreciated more than I could ever express.

There are two women who have worked with me since day one. This book would not be what it is without them.

A huge thank you to my sister, Angela Scott, who helped me from the starting line with the development of the story and who became so passionate about the project she texted me daily to point out some needed details. Your enthusiasm for this one made the process so much better. It was such a blast working with you! Thank you for those details, and for listening to me as I hashed this story out. I love you.

And Donna Cooksley Sanderson, I would be lost without you. Because you pushed me, this book is exactly what I hoped it would be. You refused to let me off easy and forced me to dig deep and I thank you so much for it. There are billions of people in the world and to have been paired with a person so perfectly suited for a coach, well, I’m convinced it’s not a coincidence. I finished the marathon because of you and your endless support. You became such a vital part of this process and made my days so much better. Thank you for the endless hours on facetime, for sacrificing time with family, sleep, and your sanity to get me through. Your endless patience was such a blessing. I love you, dear friend.

A huge thank you to my betas, Kelly Collopy, Sophie Broughton, Sharon Dunn, Anne Christine, Kathy Sheffler, Stacy Hahn, Donna Sanderson, Maiwenn Blogs, Malene Dich, Patty Tennyson, Daisy Rock, and Christy Baldwin. Your feedback was invaluable and your support priceless. You ladies are amazing.

A huge thank you to Amy Queau for helping my vision for the cover come to life.

Thank you, Stacey Ryan Blake of Champagne Formats, for pulling these books together and polishing them so beautifully.

Autumn, you are amazing. Thank you for taking this writer on with no guarantees and nothing but faith. I’m so happy we found each other. I can’t wait to see what’s next. Thank you so much for all you do.

A huge and never-ending thank you to my wonderful and tolerant PA, Bex Kettner. Bex, you are the most amazing lady. Your strength, patience, and friendship, especially these last few months, has meant everything. I love you. Thank you being the stellar friend that you are. And thank you for all you do.

A huge thank you to Christy Baldwin, who continues to take the baton running and always shows up to the party. You are a true blessing and I adore you.

A special thank you to my dear friends, Emma Scott and Jewel E. Ann, for the bitch slaps and the hand holding. This one was rough, and I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you, Kennedy Ryan, for being there for message jam sessions and making me laugh. You are awesome!

Thank you to Jessica Florence who messages me with nothing but inspiration. I feel the hugs across the miles. You are a true and dear friend.

A huge and never-ending thank you to my ASSKICKERS! Wow, ladies, how we’ve grown and I’m so fortunate to have a safe-haven full of friends like you. Your bottomless support is astounding, and I’m so blessed to have you ladies in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you to my girls in DHI-I love laughing and crying with you.

A collective thanks to my amazing family and dear friends spread out across the miles. Without your support, I know I wouldn’t have been able to get far.

A huge thank you to my rock, Nick, my home, my forever. I love you.