WATER LILY DANCE on Sale August 20!
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“We do not move on from grief; we move through it.” Three women, three centuries—connected by Paris and one of the most famous artists in the world, Claude Monet, leader of the new art: Impressionism. Why did I choose to connect a young Claude Monet, the rebirth of Paris, the New Art, and three brave women? Writing this novel, I realized every character had a fight. Sometimes we rise, other times we fall, but we don’t quit. And when we’re tempted to, Water Lily Dance is, I hope, a reminder we are never alone.
When a young Claude Monet set out to paint, his goal wasn’t to change the world; he simply desired to paint what he saw in his own technique and not what he was told. That is powerful when you understand the mandates and expectations of Paris 1865 placed on artists. An artist faced government censorship and slammed doors at earning a living when they deviated from tradition and mandates. Yet, a group of painters (the Impressionists) dared to pave the way for free expression. That is what attracted me to Claude Monet’s beginning, his famous friends, and the young woman in the middle of it all: Camille.
“We do not move on from grief; we move through it.”
We all paint in our own way. And loss can encompass many things. The women in this story have taught me so much. Isn’t it funny, fictional characters teaching us lessons? I love it. It’s why I write. “We do not move on from grief; we move through it.” These words from Annabel, a favorite character of mine in this story, spoke healing to my own loss. That’s the magic of writing when whispers appear on the page that soothe my soul.
I’m beyond thrilled to share my new novel with you and thankful for your support, kindness, and excitement. You enable me to write stories. I hope Water Lily Dance is one you will choose to grow lost in.<3
