A Sanctuary for the Heart: the Stuck on Love novels

You may notice a recurring symbol throughout our romance section: heart-shaped cacti.

To some, a cactus might seem like an odd choice for a love story. But for me, it is the perfect visual for the stories I create. I believe every book should provide a sanctuary—an authentic escape where grown-up souls can find beauty in life’s prickly landscapes.

Cactus imagery resonates with me deeply because I grew up in Nevada and visit my daughter in Arizona often. I find deserts stunning, but Saguaros? They are truly magnificent.

The Saguaro: A Living Sanctuary

There is so much more to a Saguaro than its thorns. Did you know these "Kings of the Desert" can live for 150 to 200 years? They are resilient giants, weighing up to two tons when fully hydrated, standing tall and unshakable against desert winds.

But my favorite thing about them is that they are living sanctuaries. Despite their "prickly" exterior, they provide a safe home for Gila monsters, woodpeckers, owls, and honeybees. They offer protection and life in a harsh environment. They don't just survive the desert; they thrive in it, eventually producing beautiful, waxy white blooms that only open for a short time.

From Thorns to Blooms

My romance novels aren’t afraid to address difficult challenges or thorny pasts. Just like the Saguaro, my characters have had to grow thick skin to survive their own "deserts." I write for people who need true, hard-won forgiveness and a place to feel safe.

Whether you are discovering the Bending Willow Trilogy or one of my standalones, I write stories that follow the light of hope through sacrifice, until the heart is finally ready to bloom with love.

Start Your Journey for Free

If you’d like to step into one of these sanctuaries and see if my stories are a good fit for you, I have a gift. My romantic suspense novel, Finding Light (the first book in the Bending Willow Trilogy), is FREE when you sign up for my Stuck on Love newsletter (form is on Home page).

I only send these out once a month to share updates and inspiration, and you can unsubscribe at any time. I’d love to have you join our community.