Kindreds follows a teen girl who reunites with a past friend, and together they explore a magical new world filled with adventure and danger. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?

My inspiration for Kindreds came first from reading Anne of Green Gables as a child and learning the power of having kindred spirits in our lives. As an adult, I became a social worker and have worked with many children (and adults) who have lost people they love, gone through the foster system, and have longed for a different life. Kindreds is a fictional compilation of my experiences, imagination, and experiences throughout my life.

Lilah has to figure out who she is and what she wants after losing her family. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

Even though Lilah’s family has died, she is determined to remain connected to them. She wears her mother’s ring around her neck, she talks to her family in her mind and relies on her memories of them when she is feeling lonely. Lilah has a strong inner knowing/intuition that helps her when making decisions, is observant of those around her, and ultimately uses both her head and her heart when making decisions. The ideals that drive her include authenticity, honesty, curiosity, being emotionally intelligent, and honoring who she is (and wants to be).

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

There are many themes in Kindreds: belonging (vs. fitting in), finding people who you can count on, dealing with grief, falling in love, and trusting one’s self. During adolescence we are all challenged with figuring out who we are, what we want, and whom we want around us. So often at this stage of life, we spend more time fitting in rather than belonging. Belonging forces us to be who we are, no apologies, no excuses. Fitting in is more about doing whatever everyone else is and not trying to stand out. In Kindreds, Lilah is trying to figure out where she belongs, if she can trust her judgment of what is going on in Carnival Nolianna, and if she should or shouldn’t join. Ultimately, Lilah refuses to simply fit in and follow the crowd. By doing this, she is even more sought after by the leadership of Nolianna to become a member of their secret world. I wanted to let readers know that being themselves is the most important thing they can be.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

I am working on Book Two of the Nolianna series, expected June 2023.

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