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Writing Romance Where My Roots Run Deep Besides a ten-month trek to Texas, I was born, raised, and still live in Oklahoma—and I wouldn’t dream of living anywhere else. This state is more than just my home; it’s my heart. Oklahoma is filled with compassionate people who’d give you the shirt off their backs—and their pants, socks, and boots if necessary. It’s the kind of place where you strike up a conversation with the lady at the checkout counter and leave with a friend for life. When I first began writing romance for the soul, I wasn’t sure where to set my stories. I had all these characters and emotions pouring out of me, but the backdrop felt fuzzy. Every book I read seemed to take place in New York, New Hampshire, Montana, or some coastal town. I kept thinking… Didn’t people live anywhere else? And why don’t we hear their stories? It wasn’t until my editor read my first manuscript and asked, “Where are we?” that I realized how important setting is to the reader’s experience. That question stopped me in my tracks. I thought about it, and Tulsa came to mind immediately. I grew up in that town of 400,000-plus people, and I knew—deep in my bones—that their stories mattered. I began my life in Oklahoma, and God willing, it’ll end here too. So why not set my stories in the place that shaped me? I went back through my manuscript and changed the setting from a vague, could-be-anywhere town to Tulsa. I added in places that held meaning for me and my family—the houses we lived in, the hospital where I got my first stitches in my right eyebrow, the park where I played as a child, the streets I traveled daily. When my parents read Resurrection, my first book, they were delighted to walk down memory lane and honored to see pieces of their lives woven into the story.  That experience changed everything for me. When I began writing my Hearts of Osage County series, I knew from the start it would be set in Osage County, Oklahoma. My grandparents lived in Pawhuska for years—yes, the same town made famous by The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond—and I’ve spent my life visiting that town and its surrounding countryside. It’s a place that feels like home, even when I’m just passing through. To make it even more personal, many of my characters carry names that belonged to my relatives. It’s my way of honoring the people who came before me, of keeping their spirit alive in the pages of my books. My family loves picking out the special places and names. They recognize the landmarks, the streets, the quirks. It’s become a shared experience, and that makes my stories all the more meaningful. Oklahoma isn’t just a setting, it’s a character in my books. Built on agriculture and cattle ranching, it’s a state rich in Southern charm and Native American heritage. We’ve got oil and gas, and yes, we’ve got twisters too. I’ve had so much fun creating characters who live and love in my home state. Writing stories set in Oklahoma has deepened my connection to the land and the people I cherish. It’s also given my readers a glimpse into a place that’s often overlooked in fiction. So, if you’re craving stories with heart, heritage, and a whole lot of soul, pour yourself a glass of sweet tea, pull up a chair on the porch, and enjoy a sunset with my Tulsa Town Romance and Hearts of Osage County series. Oklahoma is more than OK. It’s amazing. And I’m honored to share its stories with you.  
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