Okay, friends. This little story of my heart is finally out there. I’m so excited to share it with you.

Here are some content warnings/notes:

Like The Story Peddler, The Story Raider is a clean read. This book would probably be rated PG or PG-13 due to fantasy violence and thematic elements, if it were a movie. My opinion is that it’s appropriate for ages 12/13+, though your mileage may vary, depending on your judgment of such matters. I know every reader’s (and every parent’s) lines are different in this regard.

That said, I introduce a character in Raider who has a traumatic past. While not explicitly described or depicted, this character alludes to the sexual abuse that shaped and wrecked her. Though the circumstances are quite different, this character’s journey is based on my life. I debated with myself about her a lot. Should I write her story in this way? Should I take on something so dark and unsavory, something that has affected me so personally?

At the end of the day, I wrote her the way I wanted to—the way she stepped into my mind, fully conceived, when a title suggestion from my editor sparked the idea for this character. And that’s because, best the experts can estimate, one in five girls and one in twenty boys under the age of eighteen is sexually assaulted. If you know more than a handful of people, you know someone with this story. If you know me, you know someone with this story. Because of that, I decided to portray this character as openly and honestly as I could.

I know you will use your best judgment as a reader here. I cherish the trust that develops between reader and author through the sharing of story. If you have specific questions, I’m always happy to respond as I’m able.