Before becoming a writer, I never really took any notice of dedications. I mean, it was just another page to scan past to get to the good stuff, you know? If I did see one, I might glance at it, but I’d still flip on by. I never gave much consideration to what they contained or why an author might go to the trouble to create one. That was, until I was asked by my editor what I wanted to include for the dedication in my very first published book.
Honestly, I kind of blew it off. I wrote right back with something meaningful, but kinda generic. It was my editor who asked if there was anyone special I wanted to acknowledge, would anyone be disappointed if I didn’t mention them and reminded me I’ll only ever have one first book. Huh. It gave me pause and it got me thinking. Perhaps these dedications were more purposeful that I’d thought. Perhaps there really were people out there who took note of them, found them interesting, actually read them! And she was right about something. There was only one first book.
I really wanted to acknowledge the aspiring author first and foremost. I’ll never forget what it’s like to be there, how difficult it was and is, how much effort it takes just to continue to write each day. And there were two writer colleagues I was especially thankful for and wanted to acknowledge specifically. And so…my first dedication was born.
I decided then and there that I’d include a dedication for each of my books moving forward and Rise of Hope, my latest from Carina Press, was no exception. Of course, I’m not going to publish it here, but it’s the thought that came from my heart and soul as I wrote the book, the thought that I wanted most to share with readers at the time. Dedications for me now will always be that. A special message to the reader. From heartfelt me. And if no-one reads them? Well, that’s OK because I know it’s there and it’s the very special something I wanted to say at the time.
So…do YOU notice dedications? Do you read them and if so, have there been any that stood out to you? Or are you too eager to get to the good stuff 
? [I'll choose a random commenter by 5 pm Eastern, Thursday August 29 to receive a $10 gift card to the online bookstore of the winner's choosing!]
Rise of Hope
A secret ancient race of humans with fantastical abilities, the Vadïm are on the brink of extinction. Many of their women are imprisoned by an organization known as The Assembly, their history all but lost . . .
Devon Monroe has been a prisoner her entire life. She’s determined to make sense of the strange markings on her body, to learn why no one may touch her, to find where she belongs. That means escaping into the unknown, where she has no choice but to trust her self-appointed protector.
Soldier for hire Seth Eastman has a job to do: deliver Devon to safety. When Seth discovers the markings on Devon’s body, he’s stunned at what it means. And at how she awakens his long-suppressed needs. As they struggle to escape detection and search for the truth of the Vadïm, can he ever hope to claim her for his own?
Rise of Hope, book 1 in the Fabric of Fate series, released from Carina Press on August 27!
About Kaily Hart
Kaily Hart, a seemingly straight-laced mother of four, left corporate America and a high-powered, lucrative career to be a stay at home mom. Right… That lasted about four weeks, during which time she realized she had a deeply repressed dream—to write. And (gasp) romance at that! Who knew? By day, Kaily plays conservative wife and soccer mom, but at night crafts hot and steamy tales of romance and love with gorgeous heroes who wouldn’t dream of leaving the toilet set up. Ever. She’s smart and sassy, at least in her own mind, and is creating as many happy ever afters as she can, one hot story at a time. Kaily never would have thought she’d be doing this, but now that she is? Well, you couldn’t pay her enough to do anything else.
You can find out more about Kaily and her books from her website. She’s also on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Of course, only when she’s not supposed to be writing.