A Life Once Lived: The Heroin Addict’s Wife

There are certain chapters of our lives we’d rather forget—but sometimes, they become the ones that shape us the most.

My upcoming poetry collection, The Heroin Addict’s Wife, is one of those chapters. These poems were born during one of the darkest, most painful periods of my life—my first marriage. I found the original collection tucked away recently, what feels like a lifetime ago, and reading through it transported me right back. The words are raw and vulnerable, and though I’ve healed so much since then, they still ache to revisit.

Over the years, I’ve added a few new pieces—poems written from a place of reflection rather than survival. The perspective is different now. I’ve lived, healed, and grown. I can finally share this story with both strength and compassion. This book is not just about addiction—it’s about love, loss, codependency, hope, and the haunting beauty of resilience.

I’m so grateful for my incredibly supportive husband, who understands that sometimes the most powerful art is born from our darkest moments. Check out the cover set as the featured image of this post. I’m unsure if I’m in love, but it certainly is artistic and thought-provoking.

A Few Updates and Thank Yous

I also want to take a moment to thank The Apollo Sunrise Center for hosting so many of us local authors at Voices of the Valley. It was a wonderful event, and I truly enjoyed meeting the talented authors and kind readers who came by.

And don’t forget — I’ll be at Literary Cape Ann at Brackett’s Oceanview Restaurant in Rockport this December from noon to 3 p.m. Book Fair Flyer 2025 pdf. This will be my third year attending, and it’s always such a beautiful, festive event. (See flyer below!)

What’s Next

As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I’m currently collaborating with a production company — and my debut novel The Silence in the Sound is taking its very first steps toward possibly becoming a film someday. It’s an exciting milestone, even though it’s only the beginning of what’s sure to be a long process. Still, it feels amazing to be recognized and sought out for my work.

Meanwhile, The Summer Before continues to receive wonderful reviews, and my third novel, Drive City, is still in the queue. I can’t wait to get it into your hands and hear what you think! I’ll soon be looking for a street team of advanced readers, so if that sounds like something you’d love to be part of, stay tuned.

Lastly, I’m stepping into new territory with my fourth book, a narrative nonfiction project based on a case that has haunted so many of us from where I grew up. It’s a story close to home and heart — one I’m both nervous and honored to tell.

There are a few more things coming down the pike (I’m tired but blessed)… and you might even see my face or hear my voice soon (sorry, lol). More on that later.

Next blog, we’ll be in the thick of the holidays — can you believe it? Until then, thank you, as always, for being part of this journey.

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