Between Hello and Goodbye(97)
I weathered the storm and know there might/will be others. But there is great beauty in loss. Profound. The experience has been transformative, and some might say, why put it in a romance? I say, where else? Aside from a memoir (coming sometime soon-ish) this is my outlet. And there is no greater genre that understands love in all its facets or explores it like this one. I have always maintained that everyone is worthy of love despite the odds, despite trauma, despite our own self-destructive voices, and I strive to show that in every book. Because it’s true and will never not be true. I say it over and over again, not only for my readers but for me, because it is my life’s task to understand that and live in it. If my characters can do it and they come from me, then maybe I can too. I’m grateful to all of you for providing me this outlet. I’d write no matter what, but it wouldn’t be the same without you.
And on a lighter note, Faith’s mishap on the Ho’opi’i Falls Trail on Kauai, Hawaii is based on true events! In Feb 2020, I was the one being helicoptered out of the middle of the Falls with a dislocated knee (which is far less romantic and cute than a twisted ankle, let me assure you). There was a silent Roy in his white helmet attached to the basket and a cadre of hot EMTs, none of whom took me up on my offer to piggyback me out of the Falls instead of dangling me from a helicopter. They say, “write what you know” and I took that quite literally. ;)
Also very real was our angst about moving to Kauai. My family and I—after Izzy—had always found so much peace in Hawaii and had been wanting to relocate there. We eventually decided it wasn’t the right time. Our other daughter Talia’s schooling and friends here are too important—but at the time, we were test-driving islands, visiting each. Maui holds my heart forever—it’s where the ashes of Izzy and my dad rest—but we sampled Kauai and found it to be much too tiny and isolated. So Faith’s struggle was not born of plot angst alone. Island fever is very real, and I felt it acutely on Kauai. (We’ve since kissed and made up).
Everything about Hawaii that is special and beautiful could not be contained in one book, but I tried. It is a place of healing, wisdom, and natural beauty and I’m grateful for the peace it has given me.
Thank you for reading. <3
June 7, 202 2
Acknowledgments
A huge thank you to Melissa Panio-Petersen, always at the top of any gratitude list for never failing to be the most thoughtful, kind, loving person, who deserves all the good things in the world and makes mine better.
To my beta readers, MJ Fryer, Marissa D’Onofrio, Joanne Goodspeed Ragona, Shannon Mummey, and Terri Potts. You five are such special women in my life, with hearts the size of Waimea Canyon, and I’m grateful for you, always. Much love.
To Lori Jackson for the brilliant cover and for making Faith’s inner light shine.
To Nina and her team at Valentine PR. I am so grateful to have your guiding hand and love through these crazy times called book releases and everything in between. Love you!
To Annette Chivers, my fairy godmother. I’m forever grateful to have you in my life. My words brought us together, but your words and wisdom are the real gifts. Love you so much.
To Teresa Reif, without whom I’d still be lost. I can never express how profoundly you have impacted my life, helicoptering me out of the fog and giving me another shot at this thing we call life. I’m not only still here because of you, I’m glad I am. Thank you and much love.
And to Robin Hill, who has been a beautiful friend to me when, for so long, I’ve had nothing to give. But know I’m never not grateful for you. Thank you for never leaving me lost in the dark. All my love .