The Road To "Yes"

I’m thrilled to share that my debut novel for Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense will be published in July of 2026! This moment is more than a milestone—it’s a dream come true!

Dare to Dream

My love affair with the written word began with Little Golden Books when I was a toddler. While The Poky Little Puppy will always hold a special place in my heart, my tastes in books matured as I did. Soon, I was donning my sleuthing cap and joining Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys on captivating literary adventures. Those tales of danger and suspense lit a spark in me—a longing to craft thrilling stories of my own.

When I turned fourteen, a neighbor shared a box of Harlequin novels with me. Diving into that treasure trove, I discovered the magic of happily ever afters. I knew, then, that I wanted to pen stories about heroes and heroines who overcame the odds, and in which love conquered all.

Ignore the Naysayers

When I first shared my dream of becoming a writer, the adults in my life responded with well-meaning warnings like “You can’t make a living that way,” and “Writing isn’t a real job.” I might never have pursued writing if not for a young couple I babysat for as a teen—both journalists—who saw something in me and urged me to pursue my passion. But when it came time for me to decide on a career, I erred on the side of caution. Heeding the naysayers’ advice, I chose to work in human resources for a major retailer. Later, I moved on to work in state government. Though I didn’t realize it at the time, the people I met, the lessons I learned, and the challenges I faced in those jobs would be an integral part of my writing journey.

Keep On Keeping On

I still yearned to pen stories, so I devoted my downtime to pursuing my writing dream. I published nonfiction articles, short stories, mysteries, and finally, full-length novels. Did I get rejected along the way? More times than I care to count. But each “no” brought me closer to the “yes” I dreamed of.

That ultimate “yes” came after Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense held a pitch session on social media. I took a chance and shared a story idea that was still just a twinkle in my eye. That leap of faith led to a book contract with the publisher that had inspired my dream!

My writing journey has been long and winding, full of unexpected twists and turns. But every step—even the detours—served a purpose. The things I experienced on those byways made me a better writer. I still have tons to learn, but that is what makes this craft such a rewarding pursuit. There is always something new to discover.

Never Surrender

If you’re holding a dream close to your heart, I hope you’ll dare to pursue it. Do it for the joy of it. Make space for it in your daily life. And when the doubts creep in, because they will, remember that every “no” brings you one step closer to that longed-for “yes.”