The Family Cross Read online

  Want More City Owl Press Books?

  Click here to sign up for the City Owl Press newsletter and be the first to find out about special offers, including FREE book days, contents, giveaways, cover reveals, and more!

  * * *

  Sign up now and become a City Owl Reader today! And join our City Owl Reader-Author group here for even more deals and a whole lot of community and fun!

  Acknowledgments

  The journey from idea to published novel for The Family Cross was one I could not have taken alone. During this process, I’ve learned that publishing a book is more than just writing a story, and so many people guided me on this convoluted path even before I wrote THE END.

  First and foremost, thank you to my amazing editor, Tee Tate, for believing in Matilda, Samson, and a debut author without a clue. Thank you also to Tina Moss, Yelena Casale, Michele Moore, and the rest of the team at City Owl Press for taking a chance on this weird book. Thank you to all my fellow Owls for answering so many questions over the past year and a half, and for being a constant source of support. I’m so happy to be an Owl!

  To my agent, Julie Gwinn, who has helped me tremendously in the months leading up to launch and beyond. You took on The Family Cross after acquisition without missing a beat, and your constant support on this project and my career is something I will always be immensely grateful for.

  To Hannah, without whom this book would literally not exist in any form. You read this book more than anyone else, even the terrible first draft, and you cheered me on the entire way. Without you and your unwavering optimism, I would’ve given up before I really started.

  To Shauna, for sticking with this book from the get-go and being a great friend. I never in a million years thought stumbling upon one of your blog posts would lead to you being my first critique partner. Your advice and critiques set TFC on its trajectory, and I’m so thankful for you.

  To Stacy, for swooping in after acquisition and giving some awesome critiques I could use in later edits… and for putting up with my crap. You handle my publishing anxiety with so much grace, and it means a lot to me. We’ve worked together on several books now, and I can’t wait to work on more. I’m so grateful we met.

  To Julie—TFC’s godparent. You’ve supported me and this book from the beginning, and your feedback made The Family Cross a much stronger book. I can’t wait to see where you and your amazing stories go!

  To Brooke, for both your feedback and helping me come up with the title. The original title was very, very bad, and everyone needs to be thankful it wasn’t the final one.

  To KB, for your feedback on those crucial early chapters, the kick-ass character illustrations, and for your cat knowledge.

  To Alex, for answering all of my questions about company executives and business in general. You definitely saved me from making some stupid mistakes.

  To Shae, without whom I never would’ve been brave enough to pursue publication at all.

  To the #QuokkaCrew, for your support in the query trenches and beyond. All of you have made an impact on me, and I am so thankful for each of you.

  To the entire 2021 Debut Group, for making this last year a lot less confusing. We did it, y’all!

  To Charlaine Harris and Patricia Briggs, whose books introduced me to the wonderful subgenre of urban fantasy.

  To my kids, for cheering me on and believing in me. I love each of you with my whole heart.

  And to my husband, Caleb, to whom this book is dedicated. Thank you for your unyielding support in everything I do. You have always, always believed in my ability to do this writing thing, and I cannot put into words how much that means to me. Thank you for loving me on the days when the query rejections sucked the motivation out of me, for supporting me when I didn’t think I could do it anymore, and for celebrating my successes. You are my very best friend, and I’m so glad I get to share my life with you. I love you!

  About the Author

  GABRIELLE ASH is a perpetually tired mom of four from the great state of Texas. Born into a family of mischievous storytellers, she grew up listening to tales of the chupacabra, ghosts, and other things that go bump in the night, never entirely confident that she wouldn’t get eaten if she went out to the creek after sunset.

  She attended the University of Texas at Arlington and received a Bachelor of Arts in English, which ultimately landed her in a high school classroom to teach writing and coach the debate team. Dismayed at her inability to wear sweatpants to work, she left the classroom and now dedicates her brain power to books and taking care of her family.

  When not writing, she spends time with her husband, four daughters, and their dog.

  www.gabrielleashauthor.com

  About the Publisher

  City Owl Press is a cutting edge indie publishing company, bringing the world of romance and speculative fiction to discerning readers.

  * * *

  Escape Your World. Get Lost in Ours!

  www.cityowlpress.com

  ASHES OF ONYX

  By: Seth Skorkowsky

  They stole her magic. They killed her friends.

  Nothing in the multiverse will stop her quest for revenge.

  * * *

  BLOOD AND MAGIC

  By: Melissa Sercia

  Gray is a Dhampir—a woman alive, but also dead. With supernatural powers and an insatiable need for blood, her existence is cursed.

  * * *

  BLOODLACED

  By: Courtney Maguire

  Kanjin hardly view their servants as human. Even less so when they are different. Asagi is different.

  * * *

  CINDERS OF YESTERDAY

  By: Jen Karner

  Paranormal Hunter Dani Black wants nothing more than revenge. Until she meets Emilie.

  * * *

  CURSE OF THE AMBER

  By: Kathryn Troy

  A curse, a resurrection, and a centuries old witch hell bent on revenge.

  * * *

  EDGE OF THE WOODS

  By: Jules Kelley

  There’s something lurking in Pine Grove, Montana, and its bite is vicious.

  * * *

  FROSTBITE

  By: Joshua Bader

  Getting hired to be a personal wizard for a billionaire may just become a death sentence.

  * * *

  HOUSE OF ASH & BRIMSTONE

  By: Megan Starks

  Hell has come to collect, but Gisele Walker has no plans to pay the debt.

  * * *

  PURGATORY’S ANGEL

  By: B. Hughes-Millman

  We all have a dark side where inner demons roam. When devils of our nightmares murder in their sleep, only she can stop them.

  * * *

  TIDES OF TIME

  By: Luna Joya

  A witchy good girl hiding secrets from her family…

  A reformed bad boy who doesn’t know his family’s hidden secrets…

  * * *

  WAKING THE DEAD

  By: D. B. Sieders

  The road to hell begins when the reaper darkens her door.