For my D who keeps me honest.
Blossoms are scattered by the wind and the wind cares nothing, but the blossoms of the heart no wind can touch.
Cherry Girl is a book I never planned to write. When the main characters were set down in my first Blackstone Affair book—Naked—I never dreamed that Neil and Elaina would ever have a complete novel and book of their own. Theirs is an amazing and beautiful love story that pulls at the heart, so I am very grateful to be able to share it with you.
Creating the characters in my books is one of the greatest gifts a writer can own. I have also been blessed with the support of friends and colleagues in the writing community who help me in ways that can’t really be measured. I do know that I couldn’t have created this story without the help of so many people to whom I am greatly indebted.
So, THANK YOU, my wonderful friends, for helping Cherry Girl to be born.
My SC’s Katie Ashley and Rebecca Lilley, I love you for the amazing and brilliant women that you are. Here’s to our triad, and that it never changes. xxoo
To my beloved street team at The Blackstone Affair Fan Page, this book wouldn’t even be a book if not for you. Luna, Franzi, Jena, Brandi, Karen, Martha, Jen G., for reading and pimping the books endlessly with your beautiful memes and collages that bring life to the fan page every single day. To Becca Manual at Bibliophile Productions for her generous talents with movie editing software in creating the beautiful book trailer for Cherry Girl.
To the madly talented Marya Heiman at Strong Image Editing for this amazing cover that still makes me want to weep for how beautiful it is. To Cristina Cappelletti who generously sold the photo rights to me for this book. (She is also the beautiful girl with the gorgeous cherry blossom tattoo on her shoulder.) Sometimes serendipity comes into play, and finding her photograph was one of those times.
To my darling Marion at Making Manuscripts for her support and gentle wisdom in helping me to get the book into shape. You are a priceless gem, darling.
To Cris at Book Avenue Review for formatting this beast for me. I love you and miss your hugs already.
To Trish at The Occasionalist for organizing all of the fabulous events I get to travel to and meet the amazing fans that read my books.
And finally, to my family at Casa de Miller for loving and supporting me no matter how crazy things get in our lives.
Love.
Nothing but love and respect for all of you.
xxoo Raine