years, I set out to craft an all-new historical romance. Something to follow along the path of The Lady and the Lionheart and Sons of Blackbird Mountain. Out of this time came The Gold in These Hills, my first historical novel that wasn’t fully centered on a romantic thread. Something was changing inside me. Mind you, I’m no less of a romantic, but having been a single mom for six years now, there has been a different cry of my heart rising up. One that wanted to believe that there could be hope and joy even for those of us not in the midst of a romantic story.
It was from this same place that the Sadie books were born. I began to sense Sadie’s character instead—and in truth, shades of myself. I could suddenly hear her voice in my imagination and saw a story up ahead that I longed to pen. Stories that sprang from my very own life. Was I brave enough? Would people want to read it? I chose to believe that all of our stories are worth being told, and so began the very first pages. Suddenly, Sadie was real. I could smile about the similarities between my own life and hers. A way to share the value that comes from the hearts of single women.
Of all the stories I have written, Sadie’s most closely mirrors my own in this season. As a single woman, my heart began to hope for stories that celebrate this. While I’m still a hopeless romantic, I know God has written my life story this way for a reason. A purpose. Sadie’s books have been a part of that. A time for me to write from the place of hope, joy, and even sorrow. A way to swing open the doors, invite others into this world, and know that none of us are truly alone. And that while the tale might not include an engagement or a wedding, all of our experiences are worth being told. Most importantly, that there’s hope and happiness for every single heart.