The Lake Tearas Trilogy

Inspiration

I began writing the Lake Tearas Trilogy in 2009 during one of the most difficult seasons of my life. My young daughter had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, and as I spent long days and nights in the hospital, I leaned on two things: prayer and writing. I poured my worries into God’s hands, then turned to storytelling as a way to process what I couldn’t control.

While I had no power over my daughter’s illness or its outcome (she’s healthy now, thankfully!), I discovered I could build a world where I shaped the choices, thoughts, and journeys of the characters. What began as an escape became a fully finished novel by 2012. Yet, even when I typed the final page, I knew the story wasn’t complete. More voices were waiting to be heard. More conflicts to resolve. More life to bring into Lake Tearas.

After returning to college to pursue an advanced degree, I came back to writing with fresh energy and perspective—ready to continue the journey through the second and third books.

In August 2025, I finally completed all three books of The Lake Tearas Trilogy—a contemporary women’s fiction series about identity, family, and the messy road to healing.

Then I face-planted on my sofa!

But honestly, I love every character in this work. They’ve become like family to me, and I already miss them.

The books are set in the fictitious lakeside town of Lake Tearas, Michigan—a place full of winding roads, familiar porches, and secrets that don’t stay buried for long. Each book follows two parallel characters who carry their own mix of past hurts, complicated family ties, and dreams they've tucked away for too long. As the truth rises to the surface, these characters have to face what’s been lost and decide what’s worth fighting for.

How I wrote the trilogy

Each book in the trilogy weaves together two perspectives and two timelines. The present-day chapters are told in the immediacy of present tense, while memories and past struggles unfold in past tense. That back-and-forth rhythm creates space to see how history shapes choices—and how second chances can grow from old wounds.

Take-Away

While stories of vampires and dystopian regimes fill my bookshelves, I chose to write about forgiveness and reconciliation. In a world of broken families, I believe even the deepest fractures of the heart can be mended.

Stories of healing matter now more than ever.