Shadow of Hope follows a woman caught in a love triangle who has to choose between love and her obligations. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The story is a reflection of the ways that I feel God speaks to people in different ways, and that was the primary motivation before I thought up the characters. I wanted a dynamic between three characters to contrast in those experiences with what I call “The Spirits” in my story. I wanted young girls to see the main character struggle with something that they might experience–the fight between desire and obligation and to hopefully relate to her struggle.

What was your favorite character to write for, and why? Was there a scene that captured the character’s essence?

I truly don’t know if I can pick a favorite between Kalista, Luke, and Raine. The story is told between their points of view, and each of them has a unique personality. If I had to choose, I think Raine was the most fun to write for. I love the scene where Luke and Raine argue in the hallway outside Kalista’s room as she sleeps. In that scene, midway through the book, Luke demonstrates his confidence, and Raine stands up to him for the first time in a way that changes the game.

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

Friendship is a theme throughout the series. In the first book there is a lot of turmoil in the friendship department, but in the series, it becomes an important healing point. Hope is a major theme of this book as well. The idea that hope can be hard is something that not a lot of people realize, but we see these characters struggle with hope in a way that hurts but still clinging to it despite the pain.

Can you tell us a little about where the story goes in book two and when the novel will be available?

Dark forces are still at large, and Kalista and her friends will start to seek answers to how they can save the Krasiv Isles from the Rogue Spirits. We start to see that there is much more going on in Valanche than Kalista’s peaceful kingdom realizes, and while they must seek answers, Kalista is trying to win back the heart of the man she wants at her side. The second book has some shocking revelations as each character deals with their own set of personal struggles. The second book should be available in May 2025.

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