Forged in Fire, Rooted in Faith: Why I Tell Stories That Don’t Shy Away from the Darkness

I write Christian romantic suspense—stories that don't shy away from the darkness this life can throw at us.

While my books have absolutely NO spice, my characters do share at least one sizzling kiss. Because let’s be honest—physical attraction is a part of life and pretending it doesn’t exist paints an unrealistic picture.

What My Romance Isn’t—and What It Is

You won’t find spice in my stories—not even behind a closed door. Not because I’m ignoring the romance, but because I believe you can write a deeply moving, emotionally charged love story without crossing that line.

If we pretend physical attraction doesn’t exist, we miss the opportunity to model how boundaries and sizzling connection can coexist beautifully. Because that connection does exist. That instant attraction that makes us think...WOW. 

Take this moment from Pages of Promise—Lance is injured, vulnerable, and struggling to get his shirt over his head...

________

Our gazes hold, and my breath hitches. I’m unable to look away even though I know I should. My heart pounding, I grip the edges of the countertop to keep from reaching for her.

To prevent myself from crushing her against my body and capturing those plump lips, I close my eyes and breathe deeply. “Can you help me with my shirt? I can’t seem to get it over my head.”

“Yes, of course.” She steps closer and takes the shirt from me then stops just in front of me. Her gaze lands on the cross hanging around my neck. “May I?”

I nod, unable to make myself speak.

Soft fingertips trail over the cool metal then graze against my skin. I close my eyes, trying my best to breathe through the desire currently wreaking havoc on my nervous system.

She touches the bullet hole just above my heart—the one that nearly killed me—and I suck in a breath.

Her touch is paradise.

______

Lance actively fights to maintain boundaries, even though Eliza is everything he wants. They respect each other enough not to jump straight into bed, but to let that connection build. (Though if you've read Pages of Promise, you know that at this point they're still fighting against each other, lol!) 

So, no, my stories don't have spice. But they do have real chemistry. The kind that has you lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling with a smile on your face long after the first date is over. 

ALL. THE. SWOON.

Real Stories, Real Struggles, Real Faith

My characters wrestle with trauma, grief, and danger. Their stories are raw, real, and rooted in a faith that shines brightest when everything around them feels broken.

And yes, I’ve seen the comments—the ones that say the violence is too intense, or that “sizzling” has no place in Christian fiction.

But I didn’t step into this genre to tell a gentle story that shies away from confronting difficult moments. Because difficult moments are a part of life.

Who I’m Writing For

Before I ever shifted into Christian romantic suspense, I told stories about people who overcame darkness. Fantasy, paranormal, contemporary...whatever genre I was writing in the time, the underlying message was there: when things are at their bleakest, when you're bruised, broken, bloodied...that's when you take a final stand. When you stagger to your feet and put your fists back up even if it means you might lose everything. 

And when I felt my convictions pulling me away from writing secular romance (that, yes, had spice in it), I knew that I was still meant to tell stories about people overcoming darkness...but with GOD front and center. Because He is the One who fights our battles for us. He's the armor we wear when we're staring down the darkness in this world. 

"Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil." -Ephesians 6:11

From the moment I started writing Pages of Promise, I knew exactly who I was writing for: 

Readers who know life is a battle.

Readers who have scars.

Readers who may have questioned their faith in the hard moments—but clung to it anyway.

Because we've all been there to some degree. 

 And just like Silas mentions in Perilous Healing, I didn't find my faith in a church pew on some sunny Sunday morning.

I found mine at the bottom of a bottle...when I hit my knees because I literally couldn't go on living the way I was. 

I found God when nothing was going right, and I honestly questioned whether I even wanted to keep living. 

He pulled me out of the fire, and it took me a long time to realize that He was in the flames with me the entire time. 

That I was NEVER alone.

I truly hope that every single person who picks up one of my books, feels His presence as they read. I pray that the stories I tell will reach down and pull the reader even closer to God. That the messages will resonate with real people fighting real battles.

There’s Room for All Kinds of Stories

There’s absolutely a place for lighthearted Christian romance. I love reading those, too. Sometimes you need a no-stress happily ever after.

But there’s also a place for the gritty ones—for the stories that dig deep into pain and redemption and show how faith still burns brightly when the world feels darkest.

Because life after salvation doesn’t mean you’ll never face the furnace—

It means you have a Savior who stands in the fire with you.

And that’s the story I want to tell. Every time. 💛

If you’ve ever longed for stories that make your heart race and your soul breathe a little easier, I hope you’ll stick around.

You are seen.

You are not alone.

And there’s a place for you here.