Surrender 01 - Surrender

Note from the Author

    I have to admit I had a lot of fun writing this book. I love strong, take-charge men. I tend to write most of my books with that personality type, but I got to take Rafe’s character one step further. This story shocked me, though, because of the strong element of family that I ended up including, which I wasn’t planning on. Originally, there weren’t nearly as many family scenes. But I couldn’t help myself. In my personal life, family comes first, and that’s very apparent in my writing. I just can’t seem to leave family out.
    My life has changed so much over the last two years, and I am unbelievably thankful to have achieved what I have. When I wrote my first book, I hoped a few people would be interested. I never expected the response I got and the love so many readers have for the Andersons, the family featured in my Billionaire Series. It humbles me. I say it often, and I’ll never stop saying it: I have the most amazing fans in the world. Many of you I consider friends. You make me smile, laugh, and cry tears of joy. I love speaking with you. I love all the wonderful things you share with me.
    A special thank-you goes out to Denise Bush and Jane Bowen, who make the most wonderful advertisements for my Facebook wall, and for more. Thank you for the quality of work and the time you put in. Thank you to my street team, Melody’s Muses. Each one of you truly inspires me. Thank you for sharing my books, for encouraging me in all I do, and for being such a phenomenal support system. There are way too many names to put in here, and I don’t want to hurt any feelings, but a couple of people from the beautiful UK are very close to my heart. I don’t always manage to comment on everything I see on Facebook, but I read it all and I love your comments and encouragement. One of my fans still owes me a picture of a sexy cop. ;) You are all amazing!
    This book boasts a special character whom the fans helped create. He was in the first draft as a generic character until I ran a contest on author Ruth Cardello’s street team page. I want to thank Jane Bowen, Julie Brewer, Ginny LaMere, and Natalie Townson for their suggestions. You created Shane Grayson, whom we’ll meet in this book and get to know a lot better in book two.
    Thank you, Nikki — I couldn’t do this job without you. You are there to talk me down from my “panic attacks” when the books aren’t going right. You lead me back in the right direction when I truly suck (which is often), and you create the most stunning book covers out there. I love your work! I dislike you a bit when I have to revise half the book, but then I love you again when the book is so much better because of it. Thank you for continuing to be my best friend. Without you and Stephy in my life, I would only be a third of a person.
    As always, thank you to my family for not nagging me too much when I’m in my office from afternoon until dawn, for understanding my desire to make these books, and for standing by me every step of the way. Family always comes first — always! I couldn’t do any of this without my beautiful daughter, my amazing son, and my husband. I have so many other family members who help me in so many ways that I could write a book just about that. All those who surround me fill my life with so much brightness.
    A final note goes out to a few other authors. I’ve been reading since I was in kindergarten (we won’t say how long that has been), and I have boundless love and respect for authors who have opened my eyes to so many adventures. Because of the literary journey that I’ve taken, I’ve met some amazing women, and a few men, who have inspired me, and helped me strive ever higher. Ruth Cardello has taken me under her magical wing and makes me feel as if I can reach the sky. Kathleen Brooks is full of energy and can make me laugh, and she touches me with her humanity. Terri Marie and Randy Mixter were there for me in the beginning of my journey, and I love watching them achieve such great success.
    I’ve also been able to visit with some of my heroes: Sandra Marton, who has over 80 books published, is so kind and helpful, as is Lynn Raye Harris, whose talent is an unstoppable force. Each one of you has helped me, inspired me, and made me want to be better. Thank you. There are so many more that I don’t have room for all the names, but I hope I’ll be like Sandra with nearly a hundred books out someday. Then I’ll have the