#Selfie (Hashtag Series Book 4) (34 page)

*This note from me is unedited… Read at your own risk! Ha!

It’s a good thing I have a good stylist because otherwise I’d look like a granny with all the extra gray hairs this book surely gave me.

So much went into this book behind the scenes to make it into the finished product that you are reading today. And thank you, for reading it. This book started out pretty easily, I wrote the beach scenes pretty quickly. Then like a car with not enough gas I started to putter out… I was like where do we go now? So I just kept writing, I let Braeden and Ivy pretty much find their way.

And boy did they ever.

Not only did this book give me some grays but it also gave me a few surprises. I really wasn’t expecting the book to end the way it did. In my mind I had their story wrapped up with a really pretty bow on it at the end. I didn’t intend to leave so much open, to have so much turmoil looming over these characters heads. I also didn’t intend to write another novel for them. But I am. Their story just isn’t finished yet. :)

I can honestly say that I love this story though. I love the way Braeden and Ivy have found their way. I feel like we get to learn so much about them, and also watch them grow as people. It’s awesome they grew together.

It was very important to me that this book was done right. That #Selfie was done justice. Characters like Braeden don’t come along every book and because he is so loved (and not just by me) I so very wanted to do him justice. But not just him anymore, Ivy too. I think it’s poor Ivy who really gets beat up the most in this book. She’s a lot different than what you expected, isn’t she? Deeper, more critical of herself, and more cautious than she appears at first glance.

I really connected to Ivy in this one, in a lot of ways she reminds me of myself, more than I thought she would.

With all of that being said, I will tell you about my granny hair. Ok, my hair is blond. Like I said, I have a good stylist. Ha. A LOT went on behind the scenes of this book. Editing, proofing, worrying, more editing…

There was a time when I thought I might have to push the release date back due to editing issues. Then it was resolved, then I thought about pushing it back again. Basically it’s been like a roller coaster ride.

Did I mention I don’t like roller coasters?

But through it all I have learned something – okay, I didn’t actually learn it. I guess I knew it all along but it was reinforced to me in the past few weeks.

People really care about this series. People genuinely want these books to be their best – and not just me. I don’t think I can convey how this makes me feel. Lucky, grateful, humble. But more.

I’ve said before that writing is a solitary journey, but it takes a team to put out a book. It’s so true. An author really learns who her team is when issues arise, personal
and
business, but the work still gets done.

I want to thank Cassie McCown for all that she does. If it wasn’t for her my books would look and read a lot worse than they do. I’d like to thank Regina Wamba for always taking my messages, my ideas and my deadlines and working with them all to create one of a kind covers. To Sharon Kay of Amber Leaf Publishing, who always gracefully takes on my formatting jobs even when I tell her it’s needed ASAP and we’re short on time. I cringe to send the email but the reply it always so sweet.

Another editor who stepped in to also work on this project is Melissa at There For You Editing. Thank you for taking on a job when I know your schedule was full for a client you have never worked with before.

Also, I’d like to acknowledge Melissa Stickney for always having time to devote to beta reading for me, for always thinking of me and if I need something and for running my Fan Club and making it a fun place to be. Amber Garza and Cameo Renae are also my “cheerleaders” and without them I’d probably be more cray cray than I am.

I have more than a few rabid “fans” (more like friends) of this series who make meme’s, who cheer me on, who read early copies and who just offer smiles and support. Basically to all the ladies of Cambria’s Nerds, thank you.

And so now I am moving on to Hashtag #5. A book I hadn’t expected to write. A story I’m still trying to wrap my head around. Even still, I’m excited about it. I hope you are too.

Thank you for reading and if you have a chance please leave a book review. Braeden would appreciate it!

See you next book!

XOXO–
–
Cambria

Cambria Hebert is a bestselling novelist of more than twenty books. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair.

Besides writing, Cambria loves a caramel latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching movies. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chorkie (the real boss of the house).

Cambria has written within the young adult and new adult genres, penning many paranormal and contemporary titles. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense. A few of her most recognized titles are:
Text
,
Torch
,
Tryst
,
Masquerade
, and
Recalled
.

Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.

You can find out more about Cambria and her titles by visiting her website:
http://www.cambriahebert.com