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This is the part of the book where you get insider info on my life and this book directly from me. It’s unfiltered and unedited so what you get, is what you get.
Did you notice this book didn’t follow the teaser at the end of Daring to Surrender? Here is the original teaser as it was written at the time:
“It seems Austin may have gotten himself into a pickle. A baby showed up at the compound with a note saying he was the father.”
That caught her attention and she jerked her gaze to his smirking one—he’d caught her staring at his chest. “A baby? Austin fathered a baby and didn’t know?”
He kicked off his boots, unbuckled his belt, and started to slowly undo his pants. She licked her lips in anticipation of the zipper going down and what it would reveal.
“It would appear he has a daughter that he knew nothing about.”
Distractedly she asked, “Surely he has some idea of the mother?”
His pointed look had her rethinking. “Right. He may not have a clue.”
Did you notice that Emmy’s Ride had nothing to do with a baby? Not a single thing and would you like to know why? Well, it’s a long story.
When I plot out a series, I have a general idea of what’s going to happen but for the life of me I can’t outline and stick to it. At the time I was writing Daring to Surrender I was already five chapters in to Emmy’s Ride. The version that fit the teaser. I thought I was safe adding that teaser in DTS.
Then…after about the tenth chapter of ER I realized that book wasn’t as strong of a hit for the first book of the series. Now, whether I subconsciously blocked it out, or just forgot about the teaser in DTS I can’t say. But it happened. I started a new Raven’s Ride and forgot all about that teaser.
I have an amazing Beta reader team and wouldn’t you know one of picked up on the teaser no longer working.
My solution: I am explaining and asking for forgiveness from my readers. To fix this I have gone back and corrected the teaser in DTS to match the new Emmy’s Ride. Don’t worry, you can either update your book from Amazon or just read the revised part here:
Travis stood to pull his black tactical shirt over his head. Janel tried to focus on what he was saying instead of groping him with her eyes.
“Austin may have gotten himself into a pickle. Seems his ex showed up.”
That caught her attention, and she jerked her gaze to his smirking one—he’d caught her staring at his chest. “Austin was married?”
He kicked off his boots, unbuckled his belt, and started to slowly undo his pants. She licked her lips in anticipation of the zipper going down and what it would reveal.
“Not married, but as good as. We all thought that was where they were headed. Then she left. She’s back now and wants Austin to help find her brother.”
Distractedly she asked, “That’s nervy. She walks and then comes back asking for a favor?”
His pointed look had her rethinking. “Right. And if I know Austin, he’ll do it. I don’t think he’s ever gotten over her. Believe me, he’s tried.”
Those men were sluts of the worst kind. And yes, she knew her husband had been one as well, but she’d erased every other woman from her mind and hopefully his too.
The past was there for a reason. It made them what they were today, and she wouldn’t trade her life for anything or anyone.
Whew. Problem solved. Or is it? The next issue I had was readers wanting that book. The one with the baby. You know I love a good baby book. You will see that one around book 3 of this series. I think. Don’t hold me to that but somewhere in the series you will get your baby book.
Now to the book, Emmy’s Ride. I totally loved writing this story. My editor asked if I found it cathartic to write heavier stuff. My reply was, I found it freeing. I wasn’t bound by any genre formats and could go where I wanted to go. For example, the scene where The Ghost was using mind games to make Emmy do what he wanted her to. After I wrote that chapter I couldn’t believe my mind went there. So easily, too! LOL. I was afraid I’d gone too far but everyone seems to love that part. I knew you were my people.
One funny thing, well funny to you, extra work for me. I was almost finished with this book and realized I’d written it in third person. I’d come off of writing in the Royal Heirs series and they are in third person. I knew I couldn’t write an MC romance in third person so I pulled up my big girl panties and got to switching. It took me a week.
Where did the transition idea come from? From bad MC to good MC. I have no idea. It wasn’t in my plans to have them go legit. And they won’t go totally to the other side quickly. The transition will happen with slipups throughout the five-book series. Their days of living on the gray side aren’t over. Especially with the Ghost lurking about.
Speaking of the Ghost. What is your theory on his beef with the KOC? I’d love to know. Message me or email me with your thoughts. Are you close? IDK. Do I know? Yes. Yes, I do. Only those that read closely will be able to find the Easter egg hidden within the story. When you discover the answer in book 5 you will remember.
Also, during this time, I was fighting with a 2-year-old for writing time. Believe me, she won every single time she knocked on my door and called out, “Grammy, I need to see you!” We’d watch Blue’s Clues or play with beads or sneak and get a popsicle.
Sometimes deadlines mean nothing and playing with number cards means everything. It’s a privilege to have my grands living with us. This temporary time of building memories of their grands and getting to really know each other is a gift I cherish. My wish is that someday they look back on these years with us and smile and remember all the love we have for them. I have the most amazing three grands.
I hope you enjoyed Emmy’s Ride! And I hope you’ll go on Raven’s Ride. I am finishing Raven and Luke’s book as I’m writing this BtBS.
If you enjoyed Emmy and Austin’s story, I hope you will take a few moments and let others know by writing a review. Reviews are like gold to an author and are very much appreciated.
Thank you again, for reading my book and taking a chance on this new direction of mine into the MC world. I look forward to chatting with you again.
Xoxo,
Liz