Today is release day for Winning Lady Beatrice.
I am lounging on a wicker couch on a balcony watching the rain hit the waves. I am not at my desk where I thought I would be, and I am so grateful to God for the opportunity to celebrate on holiday on the Gulf Coast with my daughter.
Funny how this was only planned last week. Both my daughter and I go to therapy regularly. My therapist recommended I do something to celebrate all my hard work. Something to help make this feel real and not anticlimactic. My daughter’s therapist recommended she get away for a mental health retreat, and it turned out this weekend was our only corresponding weekend to go. We are now three nights into a trip that started as a mental health retreat. But you know, it is crazy how the world tests you. And you have to put your faith in God. This trip we both knew we needed. We were excited for it. And then I also started a third part time job during this same season. We needed this break for real.
And then the biggest test of faith happened.
A tropical storm hit our area.
Like seriously. Do you know the last vacation we had was in 2024, and the day before we left that one a hurricane hit? We were like, “God, what are you saying?” And then I heard Him. Drive into the rain like the buffalo, because the only way to peace is to weather the storm.
So I put my complete faith in God that the roads would be clear and there would be no flooding on our path. I am so grateful for that trust. There was no rain, no flooding, and as I sit here writing this to you there is a storm outside the window. Thunder and lightning. But we are safe and at peace.
I am so glad we came.
And even though this trip was about resting our minds, it is also a celebration. Winning Lady Beatrice released today and I could not be happier.
I said I would not work this trip. I kept that promise for some of it. I did have to check in with my new boss once last night and again today. And I will be honest, my phone is right here, especially because I am writing this post. Ha! This is my debut novel. It is the first time I have had a launch team and a PA, and I find myself having some really wonderful dopamine hits each time a sale pops up or someone shares their review or shares my post.
There is something a little strange and a little perfect about launching a book from a place where you are already practicing the thing you always preach. Especially because part of Beatrice and Nathaniel’s journey is trust and faith. It is honestly a theme that will run through my entire series, because it is something I am always working on.
Today my daughter and I had some fun at a local bookstore, and I took this photo of her. She is peeking over the book with the biggest eyes, a latte in front of her, and a whole bookshop behind her.
The only thing that could have made this trip even better was if my oldest daughter was here too. But I know she is here in spirit.
If you made it this far and have not read Winning Lady Beatrice yet, I would love for you to. Head to the Vows of the Heart page up top and you will find all the purchase links there.
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