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Last September, I signed a contract with Sunrise Publishing for one romantic suspense story set in the fictional town of Renegade, Colorado. Well, this September, I signed a second contract! My book, Guardian, is book 4 in the series but all books can be read as a standalone.

You can preorder the books before they release – here is the link. I’m so excited to bring you Deputy US Marshal Ethan Butler and Aubrey Richardson’s story.

“Seasons of Reading”

First published on Blue Ridge Reader Connections, September 15, 2025

I don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed a pattern in my reading habits. Lately, I’ve been reading all in one genre. And since I’ve just finished edits on my latest romantic suspense, I have no interest in reading anything high-powered or action-packed. I want a gentle romance or a quirky rom-com.

But as I look back on my reading habits, even as a teenager, I gravitated toward certain genres during certain times in my life.

There are seasons in life we go through. And like the changing of the seasons (yay Fall!), books offer a respite from the cares of the world and the constant twenty-four-hour news cycle. We can grab a book and lose ourselves in a story.

As a young girl, I loved fairy tales. And isn’t that what we all want? To be loved by and share an epic love story with our boyfriend (or girlfriend), fiancé or spouse? People still fall in love and find their person, someone to spend the rest of their lives with.

With the changing seasons of life, my book tastes changed. As a young girl, I loved Little House on the Prairie, Little Women and Jane Eyre. That love of historical dramas carried over into my twenties and I discovered Grace Livingston Hill, Lori Wick and Janette Oke.

I love the simpler times of a historical romance­—no electronics or cars. Just people connecting. Even though the time period was different, these characters faced many challenges and had the same difficulties we do in modern society. Finding their purpose, finding love. All the emotions of striving to do what is right while overcoming what seem like insurmountable obstacles that are thrown in their paths.

Now, as I’m older and reflect on the places I’ve lived and the experiences I’ve had, I want books that explore deeper emotions. Sometimes when I’m overwhelmed by work or a deadline, I want a little bit lighter reading material. Last year, I read just about every clean/Christian hockey romance that’s been written. I loved them all. I even started watching hockey!

Other times, I want a romance that will break my heart but, in the end, show me the couple working through past events and current obstacles to reach their happily ever after with a healthy dose of God’s guidance. Cue Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck.

Now that we’re heading into the last of 2025 (where did summer go?), I want warm embraces, maybe a pumpkin spice latte and a sweet and cozy romance centered around the holidays.

So yes, I still read novels with a happily-ever-after, but with a healthy dose of realism. Because isn’t that what we long to see and read about? Real people, working through real problems, where love and grace triumph. 

Give Thanks

“Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 (ESV) This verse has been on a constant repeat in my head this past week.

As we move into the month of November, and the holiday season, let’s take a moment to breathe and reflect on the goodness of God.

I know we are all dealing with personal issues, but if we stop for a moment, and just meditate on the blessings God has given us, everything falls into focus.

But what if my manuscript is rejected? How can I be thankful for a rejection from my dream publisher? Or worse yet, your small publisher goes out of business? This happened to me at the end of October, needless to say, I was blindsided, but God has a plan for me and my stories.

Believe me, I’ve had quite a few rejections and to see that “thanks, but no thanks” email cuts.

No one likes to receive rejections. You’ve poured your heart and soul into your story. You’ve edited, perhaps even paid an editor to help you polish your manuscript. Had others look over your story. Even sent it off to a critique group.

The hardest part for me is the waiting. And when you finally receive a response from the publisher, editor or agent, you see those dreaded words, “it’s not what we’re looking for.”

It’s disheartening, to say the least. So how do I handle rejection?

1. I will respond with a thank you email, if possible. I let them know that I appreciate their time in giving me feedback.
2. Read the feedback with an open mind. Sometimes tough things need to be said. I don’t like it and neither do you, but we must accept the constructive criticism for what it is. It’s necessary for me to grow as a writer.
3. Pray over your story. Maybe the Lord wants you to put this story aside for now. If not, work to make it better. Take the suggestions to heart and see what needs to be changed.
4. Don’t give up.
5. Find a writers group in your area. Even though writing is a solitary occupation, we all need connection with others.

Do you ever feel like you’ll never figure out who your main characters are?

When I first started writing, I struggled with this. You don’t want cookie-cutter characters, but characters who are rich, full, deep, and have flaws. Over the years, I’ve learned to create the over-arching big picture and decide what tropes I’m going to use. In Lethal Pursuit, my hero was a federal agent and happens to be the best friend of the heroine’s older brother. The heroine is a military widow, and mother who is struggling both spiritually and financially. Next, I threw in roadblocks: her brother, who is a felon, is back in town; she’s been accused of passing counterfeit money; and finally, the one person she’s supposed to trust, kidnaps her children. Whew! It’s a lot but gives me a baseline to work with.

To delve into their characters, I interview them separately.  I ask them what their names are, the meaning of their name, and what they do for a living. What is their greatest joy? What happened in their past (The Dark Moment story) that shaped their character and how they see the world? Sometimes my characters don’t want to talk, which can be extremely frustrating!

Next, I take a personality test and the Five Love Languages test as the character. After I gather all this information, it’s easier to craft a story, and discover how the character might react in different situations.  The best advice I can give you is this, do your research.

There is so much more I could say about characterization. Readers want to experience the highs and the lows that your characters experience. Developing a multi-faceted character can be challenging but necessary to crafting a story that will last.

Let me first say, I’m excited to be here, sharing what the Lord has laid on my heart over the years as I’ve pursued publication. The road to publication has been paved with lots of twists and turns. Some days, I wanted to give up! I poured my heart into learning the mechanics of a good novel, joined an on-line group, attended multiple conferences, even submitted my manuscript multiple times.

With no result.

But that still small voice whispered in my ear, “don’t give up!”

After every submission, I’ll read the comments and apply the suggestions that work for my story. As I continued to write, I found that my writing improved dramatically from when I first started writing. My first book, a Christmas short novel, was published six years after I started the journey to publication. Six. Long. Years. Those years saw a lot of queries to acquisition editors, tweaks to my manuscript and editing and rewriting my story to present the best story possible.

The one thing I’ve learned through this journey is, you must be persistent. And not only persistent but in-tune with the story God has laid upon your heart. Some readers will love your work and others won’t.

But I must remember one thing: Who am I writing for? Man’s accolades? Or am I fulfilling God’s call on my life?

Once I was able to grab ahold of that, the rest is inconsequential. God has called me to write and I rest in the assurance that being an author is my calling.

I’m not a fan of Stephen King, but do you know how many times his first manuscript, Carrie, was rejected? Thirty times.

So, dear friend, keep writing, keep moving forward. “Let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1 (NASB).

Here’s a link to my interview: https://fb.watch/oLBxtDQiuI/

Want to read my Flash Fiction story, We Belong Together? click here

December 1-31, 2023