What if one choice could change everything?
Life rarely unfolds as planned, and every decision shapes the person you’re becoming. Will you choose wisely or let regret define you? Every secret has a cost, and every lie seeks the truth. These eight stories will challenge your sense of fairness, courage, loyalty, love, and forgiveness—drawing you into their mysteries before blindsiding you with an unexpected twist.
I’m excited to introduce my latest book, Hope Verdad Presents: Short Stories with a Twist. I put it aside for a while, waiting to write from a place that felt true to my voice.
Okay—that might sound good, but it’s an excuse. The truth? Launching a book is a scary business. Most Indie authors (those who publish independently) write for the love of the craft. When I dive into my story, it is as if I am watching my character’s lives and situations. Most Indie authors realize that they’re not going to produce a best-seller like SILO that went on to become a series on Apple or win a Pulitzer. We pray that most don’t call our baby ugly and blow a little wind in our sail.
Why I Wrote This Book
I believe stories come from a magical place. They circle your head, waiting for you to engage—and if you do, they land. I wrote these stories to entertain and intrigue, crafting narratives with a bit of surprise. I was honored when Witness won a 2024 Blue Nib Award for fiction from the Blue Ridge Writer’s Group.
That win bolstered my confidence, as did my incredible husband, friends, and family. My editors and dear friends—Linda Bogart and Dr. Judith Gwathmey—hold my hand through every project and somehow still want to be my friends. I’m also beyond grateful to my friend and multi-award-winning photographer, David Winegar, whose generous spirit allowed me to use his stunning photograph for the book cover. And, of course, thank you to the advance and launch readers who show up, buy the book, read it, and take the time to write reviews.
Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear. – Franklin D. Roosevelt
What’s Inside?
These eight stories revolve around redemption, weaving through love, betrayal, forgiveness, enlightenment, and closure. They explore the moral dilemmas that define the human experience:
- Witness: Imagine the secrets a door lock could tell.
- Picasso: What if every detail about your life was online?
- Echo: Children are innocent. Or are they?
- Seed: Is the law always just?
- Redemption: How far would you go for success?
- Transplant: Are you an organ donor?
- Willis: Could you be a hero?
- Room 212: Would you listen to a divine message?
The Heart of the Stories
Everyone seeks redemption at some point. It often arrives in ways we least expect, taking forms we never imagined. I explore this idea beyond its religious connotations, focusing on redemption as a profound personal journey of growth, self-forgiveness, and transforming past mistakes into something meaningful.
Thank you for welcoming these characters and their stories into your life. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Most of all, I hope this book inspires you to think, question, and draw your own conclusions.