Introducing… Her Hopeful Heart
Welcome to Maranatha Inn… again!
Her Hopeful Heart is the second Advent-themed story in the Christmas at Maranatha Inn series, where six 50-something college friends reunite to help launch their friend’s inn.
This story was hard. I’m not gonna lie. My editor sent me back to the drawing board, and a couple of dear women from my Facebook reader group jumped in to help me mesh the various plot lines.
What was so hard about it? It seems my brain decided to tackle ALL The Big Issues in one story.
Who is the heroine of Her Hopeful Heart?
- a divorcée
- who is a homeschool mom of six
- who is overweight
- who struggles with self-esteem
- and falls for her childhood best friend’s much younger brother
Yikes. I didn’t think about all the glass boxes I was (apparently) trying to demolish in one 60,000 word romance! But when I lay it all out like that, I can see that it’s no wonder I needed a little help to finesse the details. Did I get it right in the end? I hope so. I prayed over every writing session, asking God to help me find the words and the way through the story that would bless, challenge, and encourage my readers.
Because a lot of women can relate to one or more of Wendy’s points. They ask themselves, am I enough? Or maybe I’m too much! How can God love me when I’ve obviously made a mess of my entire life and have no clue what I’m doing? Where is God???
About the series:
Welcome to Maranatha Inn, where six old college friends reconnect to highlight Advent traditions in Jewel Lake, Montana. They might all be single (again) after all these years, but romance isn’t on their Christmas lists, which are full of hosting holiday parties, bonfires, Christmas trees, sleigh rides, and more! Still, romance may just find them, anyway.
About Her Hopeful Heart:
When her old college friend invites her to host craft workshops and run social media for her new inn in Montana, Wendy Clarke drops everything to go. Or maybe it’s to lick her wounds after her cheating husband divorced her, and the six kids Wendy has poured her life into seem to have chosen their dad’s side. But when her childhood friend’s brother, who used to be their little shadow, shows up at Maranatha Inn, Wendy discovers she still longs to be loved. Not that anyone could love an overweight castoff.
Roman Scala has fond memories of tagging along behind his sister and her friend but with nine years between them, he was never their peer. Now in his mid-40s, he’s sold his share of his dad’s import business and is ready for a new adventure in Montana. Roman launches a YouTube travel channel with Wendy’s reluctant help. He can see past her facade, but can he show her how much she’s really worth?
He’d given up hope of finding love. She’d never dared to hope again. But maybe hope finds them this advent season.
Her Hopeful Heart is available on Amazon, via Kindle Unlimited and in paperback.
Enjoy the Pinterest board for this series here.
Psst: If you want to see what’s next in the pipeline and how far along I am on my current project, keep an eye on the Coming Soon page!
