The Story’s First Spark

Have you ever asked yourself, ‘What if?’ I did — and that question sparked the story of A Fragrant Melody

The Spark That Started It All

Every story begins with a spark — that tiny flicker of an idea that refuses to be ignored. For A Fragrant Melody, that spark was both personal and playful, rooted in a question I’ve long wondered: what if my husband and I hadn’t married right out of high school? What paths would our lives have taken? And what if life brought us back together years later for a second chance, in a different place, at a different time?

What if my husband and I hadn’t married right out of high school?

A Question That Wouldn’t Let Go

I remember the moment clearly. I was sitting in my garage, sipping my morning coffee, when the idea settled in my mind. Excited, I texted my best friend for encouragement, and her words nudged me forward — the tiny spark began to grow into a flame.

From the beginning, I knew this story would be a romance, but the characters of Klara and Gaelin developed naturally from the “write what you know” advice I learned in a creative writing class. In a way, Klara is me, and Gaelin is my husband, Shawn — but while the inspiration is drawn from real life, the story takes place in a world all its own, with its own twists, choices, and possibilities.

From Coffee to Characters

That initial spark never faded. Something about the story resonated in my soul, and as I explored it further, other characters began to emerge — Alani, Sa’Riyah, Isaak, and Iliana — each with their own stories to tell. The core of the first book remained true to that initial vision, though certain plot points evolved as I wrote, surprising even me.

Something about the story resonated in my soul, and as I explored it further, other characters began to emerge…

Creating a World of Possibilities

Klara’s spaces — her home, Brooks’ Remedies — appeared in my mind fully formed. I imagined the kinds of places I might have created in a different life, had I followed a different path. Even so, much of the story’s world and details are entirely fictional, a playful “what if” that allowed me to explore creativity alongside reality.

Your Turn to Discover

When you open A Fragrant Melody, I hope you feel the same spark that started it all for me. As you read, see if you can spot the moments inspired by real life — little glimpses of Klara and Gaelin that echo reality — or simply lose yourself in the twists and turns that grew entirely from imagination. Either way, it all began with a single question, a morning coffee, and a curiosity that wouldn’t let go.

Curious to see how this “what if” unfolded? Stay tuned and join me as Klara and Gaelin’s story comes to life — and watch as their world grows in ways even I didn’t expect.