The Story Behind Mags & MarMar

Every book starts somewhere. Mine started at bedtime.

I wrote all three Mags & MarMar books in a single month, fueled by my love of storytelling and actual events from our home. My husband and I have always been intentional about raising brave, selfless kids, and when it came time to introduce Mags and MarMar to the world, The Mystery of the Gruffly Grizzly felt like exactly the right place to start.

What I loved about the story, even in those early kitchen-table drafts, was Mags's heart. She was brave because she chose to be, because the people she loved were worth protecting. That felt like something worth putting in a book.

I wrote it for the kids with big imaginations and brave hearts. The ones who love a good mystery and a wild adventure, in small doses, of course.

Kaitlyn Phillips was no accident. The Lord orchestrated our introduction, and from the moment she started bringing Mags and MarMar to life in watercolor (all purple and blue tones, soft light, and that unmistakable feeling that the adventure is just around the corner), I knew she was exactly the right person for this story. The care she put into these characters shows on every page. I am so grateful for her.

This is my very first book. I hope it finds its way to the right bookshelves and the right brave kids.