This week has been all about stepping outside of comfort zones.

But first… a little bit of fun.

Do you remember my Christmas oops? My sister couldn’t make our planned trip to Tulsa to see Mamma Mia, so my husband and I turned it into our own little getaway instead. And I have to say—I’m really loving this stage of life where we can do things like that.

But now… we’ve traded that quick trip for something much bigger.

We’re in the middle of a cross-country drive to take our youngest to college.

He’s nervous.

We’re nervous.

And if I’m being honest, this kind of “new” feels a lot less fun than a spontaneous trip.

But it’s also one of those moments that reminds me—life only moves forward when we’re willing to step outside of what feels comfortable.

That’s actually something I explored in Protecting Her Heart.

When I wrote Rebecca’s story, I was stepping outside of my own comfort zone, too. It was my first time blending romance with a touch of suspense, and I wasn’t entirely sure how it would turn out.

But I loved the idea of a character who draws a hard line—“I don’t date cops”—and then finds herself falling for someone who challenges everything she thought she wanted.

Because sometimes growth doesn’t come from staying safe.

It comes from letting ourselves step into something unknown… even when it’s a little scary.

(Or a lot scary.)

In the end, watching Rebecca and Sean find their way to each other made the risk worth it.

And I’m reminding myself of that this week, too.

So now I’m curious…

What’s something you’ve done recently that stretched you—even just a little?

A Sugar Creek Moment

The town is a little messy now—gravel, puddles, soft shoulders of road. No one complains. Coffee tastes better when boots are drying by the door and the promise of green feels close.

Until next time,

💛 River

Book Shares

He’s sworn to protect her city. She’s determined to protect her heart.

Rebecca Watson has never been impressed by wealth, especially her own. Instead of living the life her trust fund could buy, she’s chosen something harder: running a nonprofit community center in one of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods. Helping at-risk teens is her calling… even if it puts a target on her back. Love is a luxury she can’t afford.

Officer Sean Thompson lives for motion, purpose, and the rush of doing something that matters. A former Army paratrooper turned Chicago cop, Sean doesn’t shy away from danger. He runs toward it. When he’s assigned to keep an eye on Rebecca after threats from a local gang escalate, he expects another job. He doesn’t expect to fall for her.

She’s built her life on independence, but even Lois Lane needed Superman to have her back.

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