Ever: The Ever Trilogy, Book One (Volume 1) (41 page)

BOOK: Ever: The Ever Trilogy, Book One (Volume 1)

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“You work at the Animal Shelter?” I asked, trying to get her to speak again.

Her eyes widened once more, and I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed making her blush.

“Your nametag? You’re still wearing it,” I clarified. “Was there a flood today?”

“Oh, wow. I’m sorry! I don’t normally look like this! I was giving one of the dogs a bath, and then, well, you can see what happened. Let me go change! I’ll be right back!”

She turned around and bolted for her house, leaving me standing there like an idiot. My chest clenched—I didn’t want her to leave. I sprinted behind her, then reached for her elbow to stop her before she made it to the door.

“Hey, Ever, wait,” I said, as my fingers closed around her arm.

Motion inside the house caught my eye, and I brought my gaze to the window, catching a quick glimpse of his ghostly form, and reminding me of the real reason I was here. And it wasn’t to date this girl.

Well, not for any purpose outside of getting into her house, anyway.

But one more glance at those big brown eyes, and I thanked my lucky stars that Ari had ruined my life, stuck me with Ted, and inevitably landed me here.

Because this was one job I would
really
enjoy doing.

Coming Soon

Evade

Ever Van Ruysdael's race to beat the odds – and the clock – begins with the introduction of an integral part of her past. As secrets are revealed, and truths uncovered, Ever learns her imminent death is the least of her problems: Ariadne did more than just put an expiration date on her life; she marked Ever's soul by upping its value for greedy collectors looking to buy their freedom.

Condemned by the countdown on her life, and hunted by hired Seekers, Ever’s journey leads her to question everything she’s known and everyone she’s trusted, while growing closer to the one person from her past she was determined to avoid – and the one guy she never could – Toby James.

With her ex-boyfriend by her side, and the countdown clock rapidly ticking away, Ever tries thwarting fate’s plans. But as her nineteenth birthday approaches, and desperate Seekers follow her every move, Ever may be too late.

A marked soul is hard to come by … and even harder to escape.

Ever and Toby return October 1, 2013

Thank You For Reading.

An unashamed super fan of all things
paranormal romance
, Jessa Russo reads, writes and breathes paranormal YA, rarely straying from her comfort zone. When not writing or reading, Jessa enjoys making memories with her awesome family and amazingly supportive friends, while secretly planning her next trip to New Orleans. She’s won a few flash fiction contests and had a short story published, but feels her greatest accomplishment is raising the coolest kid ever – a little girl with a Tim Burton obsession and a desire to save every animal she sees.

Jessa will always call Southern California home, where she lives with her husband Jon, their daughter Faith, Bronco the Great Dane and Lola the Chihuahua.

Acknowledgments

Anyone who has written a book – or even
attempted
to write a book – can tell you that as solitary as it may seem at times, it is anything but. I have been blessed with an extremely tolerant and ridiculously supportive group of people that I could not (and will not) live without.

My
beta
or
first draft
readers have watched EVER change so many times it probably made them dizzy. Yet they read and reread my story with passion and fervor, and have always –
always
– cheered me along in my journey. I believe in myself because they believe in me. So thank you
Melissa Purkey, Mat & Michelle Magaña, Kathleen Kubasiak, and Nanette Pitts
- you’re all wonderful friends and amazing betas, and I don’t deserve you. Many other people have read EVER along the way as well, and your enthusiasm for my writing has been priceless. There are too many of you to name, but I cherish all of you and I hope you know who you are.

Mom
– I can’t imagine that anyone has a cheerleader like you in their corner. You have always believed I can do no wrong – even when I’m doing it. You have given me something irreplaceable – my drive to keep on keepin’ on. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and always believing in me – even when I don’t believe in myself. You’re probably responsible for my massively inflated sense of self, and for that I am eternally grateful.

My critique partner
Tamara Mataya
– I can’t even properly express how important you are. Even more valuable than your critiquing, is your ability to push me when I want to quit, or pull me down from that pesky tree of self-doubt. Whether it’s a surprise bouquet of flowers, or a picture of a sloth scratching its butt, you
rock
at saving me from myself. I’m so blessed to know you and call you my friend. Your friendship means the world to me.
Shiny Critique Partners FTW!
*fist pump*

A HUGE thank you goes to my editor,
Krystal Wade.
Not only did your belief in this book turn my dream into a reality, but your friendship has proven invaluable. I owe you so much more than gratitude and I hope I can pay you back some day.

My family deserves endless praise for putting up with this all-consuming passion of mine.
Jon
– I love you more each day – even when you’re teasing me about my imaginary worlds and fictional boyfriend collection. You’re stubborn and hard-headed like me, and I can’t wait to grow old with you.
Princess Bella –
I know that at times it was frustrating, and for a long time you didn’t understand my constant need to write. I hope that in the end, you are proud of me. Most of all, I hope that I have taught you to finish what you start, and always chase your dreams – no matter how old you are, or how unreachable those dreams may seem.
You can do
anything.

Last but not least, thank you to YOU – the person reading this right now. Whether you love this book or hate it, I hope you
feel
something when you read it. EVER is my firstborn word-baby, and the fact that you are reading her story means more than I could ever put into words.

So, thank you.

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