Hey everyone,

If you’ve picked up my book, Breaking Chains, you know that at its heart lies a story grappling with some of the most fundamental human experiences: loss, love, and the hope for redemption. But even if you haven’t had a chance to dive into its pages yet, I bet these three words resonate with you on a personal level. They’re the threads that weave through all our lives—sometimes tangling, creating the most beautiful tapestries.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how these three aren’t separate, are they? They’re more like dance partners, constantly influencing and shaping one another. You can’t talk about one for too long without the others making an appearance.

Think about it: Haven’t some of your deepest experiences of love been shadowed, at least in part, by the fear of loss? That bittersweet awareness of how precious and fleeting connection can be? It’s almost as if the intensity of love amplifies the ache of what could be lost—or what once was. Whether it’s the end of a relationship, the passing of a loved one, or even the natural changes that come with time, loss leaves an imprint on how we love and how deeply we cherish those closest to us.

And yet, love also has an incredible power to heal in the face of loss. Haven’t you found comfort in the embrace of a friend after a tough time? Or felt the unwavering support of family as you navigated grief? Love, in its many forms—the gentle understanding of a partner, the fierce loyalty of a friend, the unconditional bond of family—acts as a balm. It’s the hand that reaches out in the darkness, reminding us that we’re not alone.

But where does redemption fit into this intricate dance? I believe redemption often rises from the ashes of loss, fueled by the enduring power of love. It’s not about erasing pain or pretending loss never happened. Instead, it’s about finding a way forward—a path toward healing and growth, often guided by the love we receive and the love we choose to give.

Redemption isn’t always a grand, dramatic event. Sometimes, it’s in the small acts of forgiveness—whether forgiving ourselves or others. Sometimes, it’s in discovering a new purpose after a significant loss. It can mean learning from our mistakes and choosing a different path, fueled by a desire to honor what was lost or to build something better for ourselves and those we love.

In Breaking Chains, my characters wrestle with these very themes. They endure profound loss that tests their limits, they discover unexpected forms of love that offer solace and strength, and they embark on journeys—sometimes messy, sometimes uncertain—toward their own versions of redemption.

Writing their stories has made me reflect deeply on these interconnected forces in my own life and the lives of those around me. I’ve come to realize that the threads of loss, love, and redemption are constantly being woven and rewoven, shaping the ever-evolving story of each of us.

What about you? How have these three elements intertwined in your own experiences? I’d love to hear your reflections in the comments below. It’s through sharing these personal connections that we realize we’re all navigating this beautiful, sometimes challenging, and ultimately human journey together.