This is not a new sentiment, or even a mantra. The Bible talks about God-given talents putting you in spaces beyond your imagination. I have imagined, but I know that this is only a piece of what God has planned for my writing career. And that makes me excited.
My journey has been hard, and I know more challenges are ahead, but today I am taking the time to celebrate and acknowledge the success so far. So here it goes, all the thank-yous and proper speech notes forgotten at my book launch.
First, I want to thank God for all that HE has given me and put in me. Many people have asked me, how do I find time to write? Between work, school, my husband and kids, and church life, writing a novel seems like an impossible task. But with God, nothing is impossible. He has given me strength, creativity, calm, encouragement, and a support system to keep this thing going. I thank Him every day, but particularly in this season where elevation has brought hard challenges. I thank Him every day, and hopefully, you thank Him every day for all things, big and small.
Writing this novel would not have been possible without the professional team who helped guide and package Cherrywood Inn Feels Like Love. My editor, Kristen Hamilton of Kristen Corrects, has done a fabulous job turning my heart-wrenching stories into something that readers can cherish forever. Thank you for being amazing, and I cannot wait to do it again!
Ronika Bates, my book cover designer, did amazing work and brought the visuals of Jo and William to the forefront of everyone’s mind. Thank you!
To all the friends, family, and coworkers (old and new) who gave me tidbits of advice, ideas, and inspiration, thank you! From Cheryl Copeland and her insight into being a model, to my book club crew encouraging me to go deep and dark with the romance, to my best friends sharing their life stories that sparked the inspiration for that one really cool line. Thank you all. Check out my photo gallery from the launch party.
My parents and all the married couples in my life really helped shape this story. The parental units in my life have provided me with endless sources of ideas and inspiration for this novel, and I am thankful for the examples of real love I got to witness this round.
This is the first novel I have written that features a married couple. Diving into hard marital topics as a married woman is not as easy as people think. Despite what everyone believes, I do not put myself into my stories. Of course, bits and pieces of me or people I know make their way into my characters, but overall, my stories explore traditional romance tropes and happily-ever-after endings.
My personal story is ongoing and ever-changing, and it is close to my heart, so I protect it during the writing process.
My husband and children witness the day-to-day. On the days when I could not figure out character names, they were there. On the days when I had to determine how the redemption would happen, my husband was there with ideas and common-sense applications for my stories. I thank you, Hicks House, for it all. I could not have done this without you. You provide me with drive, encouragement (in the craziest way), and love. Whether you all like it or not, you are a part of my romance writing team.
And so, I keep going.
I am reminded that the gifts God places in us are not meant to sit quietly on a shelf. They are meant to be nurtured, shared, and used to touch lives in ways we may never fully understand. Every book, every challenge, every opportunity, and every person who has supported me has been a part of this journey.
I do not know everything God has planned for my writing career, but I am excited to keep discovering it. For now, I will celebrate this moment, remain grateful for the people who continue to pour into me, and trust God with the chapters I have yet to write.
Because if there is one thing I know, it is this: when God gives you a gift, He will make room for you to use it.
Until the next chapter, I will keep dreaming, creating, and inspiring, one story at a time.