A couple hours later, I had the first four chapters (the exact same chapters you read here) and sent them off to my agent, with an urgent plea for her to get them out into the world.
My agent (the incomparable Nicole Resciniti) didn’t even flinch.
Nicole, thank you for coming through.
Days after my “fit,” Nicole sold it to Sue Grimshaw at Loveswept, which is where the thank-yous must come in.
Without getting too much into the complicated world that is publishing timelines, it must be said that the team over at Penguin Random House made this a book in record time. They didn’t have to, but they must have sensed my Total Crazy about it, because they more or less bent time to do this for me.
I know I thank them in every book (because they deserve it!) but they deserve it extra hard here.
To Gina Wachtel, Kim Cowser, Katie Rice, Lynn Andreozzi, Daniel Christensen, and, most especially, Sue Grimshaw, please know that I’m sending hardcore gratitude your way. I feel so lucky to be a part of your team.
BY LAUREN LAYNE
Sex, Love & Stiletto Series
After the Kiss
Love the One You’re With
Just One Night
The Trouble with Love
Redemption Series
Isn’t She Lovely
Broken
Crushed
Oxford Series
Irresistibly Yours (coming soon)
Other Books
Blurred Lines
PHOTO: ANTHONY LEDONNE
LAUREN LAYNE is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance novels. Prior to becoming a writer, she worked in e-commerce and Web marketing. In 2011, Lauren and her husband moved from Seattle to New York City, where she decided to pursue a full-time writing career. It took six months to get her first book deal (despite Lauren’s ardent assurances to her husband that it would take only three). Since then, she’s gone on to publish several books, including those in the bestselling Sex, Love & Stiletto series, with more stories always in the works. Lauren currently lives in Chicago with her husband and their spoiled Pomeranian. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her either at happy hour, running at a doggedly slow pace, or trying to straighten her naturally curly hair.
laurenlayne.com
Facebook.com/LaurenLayneAuthor
@_LaurenLayne
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The Editor’s Corner
It’s time to go back to school and feed your reader with these fabulous Loveswept romances….
In Laura Marie Altom’s scorching new novel, The Escort, a broken heart pushes a rugged loner to the breaking point—until a not-so-innocent affair changes everything. New York Times bestselling author Kathy Clark keeps the heat on with Deep Night, as two adrenaline junkies find themselves fighting unexpected passion—and unspeakable terror. New York Times bestselling author Missy Johnson’s Code of Honor asks a burning question: What happens when love is undeniable—and taboo? And USA Today bestselling author Lauren Layne’s Blurred Lines delivers a sexy take on the timeless question: Can a guy and a girl really be “just friends”?