Bittersweet Symphony (The Damaged Souls series Book 2) (33 page)

At night, I’d whisper that nothing lasted forever so why not take advantage of opportunities while I could? I stumbled through life with a false sense of bravado.

Until her.

She was someone I hadn’t seen coming.

As we left the cemetery hand in hand, reunited and hopefully stronger than before, I recognized one last truth.

Forgiveness came by being brave enough to follow your heart, wherever that journey took you.

When I eventually surrendered and did that . . . it led me to her.

After living in Hell, she became part of my Heaven.

I was back.

I was finally home.

A PERSONAL NOTE FROM BELINDA

“You fall, you rise, you make mistakes, you live, you learn. You’re human, not perfect. You’ve been hurt, but you’re alive. Think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, and to chase the things you love. Sometimes there is sadness in our journey, but there is also a lot of beauty. We must keep putting one foot in front of the other even when we hurt, for we will never know what is waiting for us around the bend.”

~ UNKNOWN

You survived the book! If I could I would hug you right now and offer you some chocolate.
Bittersweet Symphony
marks the fourteenth book I’ve written and published, but it’s also the story that holds so many pieces of my own heart. Why? Because just like Cooper, I’ve experienced trauma in my life that resulted in PTSD. One thing I’ve carried from the years of therapy I’ve gone through is that trauma is trauma. Pain is pain. Abuse is abuse. It’s not so much about what the situation was, but about how deeply it affects each of our lives. In Cooper’s case, his grief over Owen’s death twisted into an unrelenting battle of guilt and blame. He couldn’t let it go—wouldn’t let it go. He felt he deserved to suffer and it tainted everything in his life.

Does that sound familiar? It did for me. Thankfully, I’m now on the other side of that pain, but my heart still hurts for those currently enduring it. Whether it’s from PTSD, anxiety, self-harm, depression . . . whatever it is that’s weighing heavy on your sweet spirit, please know that you’re not alone. I know that darkness. I understand the precise moment when it feels impossible to keep breathing. You’ve held on for so long and you’re just so tired. Like Cooper, I’ve been in that place where I believed those around me would be better off if I simply ceased to exist. I couldn’t see my own worth. I was blind to my own innate light.

Please know I see you. We see you. If you don’t think you can hold on, reach out to someone—anyone—and hold on to them. There’s no shame in needing help. You’re too important to the world to disappear. We need you. There’s no one else like you.

I wasn’t always this brave in sharing my own personal story, instead choosing to thread my truths through the characters I write. It always felt safer to hide behind the Cooper’s and Mason’s of fiction. But then along comes someone who is also treading the same path and they let us all know it’s okay.

It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to be unsure. It’s okay to be afraid. Just don’t give up. In the words of
Jared Padalecki
, someone I love and adore from the TV show
Supernatural
, ALWAYS KEEP FIGHTING. Never forget that YOU ARE ENOUGH. And despite what you think, LOVE YOURSELF FIRST.

If you don’t think you can talk to family or friends, reach out to professionals—those who can be reached via hotlines and behavioral health centers. If things become too dire, please go to your local ER and let them help you. If you can’t get there, call 911.

You are important.

You are needed.

You are loved.

Gentle hugs to you, my friends. Let me leave you with some wise words from someone familiar . . .

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of time if one

only remembers to turn on the light.”

~ Albus Dumbledore, J.K. Rowling

Be a light.

Belinda xxx

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-TALK / 1-800-273-8255

About The Author

A homesick Aussie living amongst the cactus and mountains of Arizona, Belinda Boring is a self-proclaimed addict of romance and all things swoon worthy. It wasn't long before she began writing, pouring her imagination and creativity into the stories she dreams. Whether urban fantasy, paranormal romance or romance in general, Belinda strives to share great plots with heart and characters that you can't help but connect with. Of course, she wouldn't be Belinda without adding heroes she hopes will curl your toes. Surrounded by a supportive cast of family, friends and the man she gives her heart and soul to, Belinda is living the good life. Happy reading!

You can find Belinda Boring:

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/Belinda-Boring-Author/200626723318915

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/BelindaBoring

Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/BelindaBoring

Official Website:
http://www.belindaboringbooks.com

Other books by Belinda Boring

The Mystic Wolves series

The Mystic Wolves (#1)

Forget Me Not (#2)

Testing Fate (#3)

Forever Changed (#4)

Savage Possession (#5)

Darkness Unleashed (#6)

Last Wolf Standing (#7)

A Very Mystic Christmas (A collection of memories)

The Damaged Souls series

Bittersweet Melody (#1)

Bittersweet Symphony (#2)

Other titles

Broken Promises (#1, Brianna Lane series)

Enchanted Hearts

Loving Liberty

Angel Kissed (#1, The Story of Us series, coauthored with Lacey Weatherford)

OTHER AUTHORS YOU MIGHT ENJOY!

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One night. That’s all it was supposed to be. No strings. No complications . . .

Grace DeLeo had never been that girl. Relationships made her feel secure, and one-night stands had no place in her life. All of that was smashed to pieces the second Logan sat down next to her.

Logan McFadden liked his no strings lifestyle. He loved his rules. Everything had a place, and there was no space for a relationship or feelings.

One night. That’s all it took to change things forever.

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Six Jagger has had a thing for Brooklyn Hall since the first time he laid eyes on her a year ago. However, after finding out her age, he wiped her off his list of possibilities. That should’ve been the end of it, but for some reason, he can’t stop watching and admiring her from afar. Happy that he’s successfully maintained his distance, all that changes on the night Brooklyn walks into Inked Edges, asking him for an illegal tattoo. After that, all his carefully constructed barriers come tumbling down, taking them on an explosive ride of lust, passion, and desire.

All’s well that ends well, right? Too bad that wasn’t the end, but merely the beginning . . .