Letters from Lisa September 2025

Cloudy Skies Make the Most Beautiful Sunsets

I’ve spent the past week basking in the glow of some of the most gorgeous sunsets I’ve ever seen! My husband and I have been visiting Venice, Florida and wow, every night is a sweeping vista of color. Each one is unique, but after watching several, I realized the most breath-taking sunsets need a sky that is cloudy over clear. The clouds, which one would think would obscure or dim, actually serve as a prism—scattering light, adding depth and contrast, texture and layers, making the colors deeper. Wispy cirrus or scattered cumulus clouds catch the light to reflect and refract it, lighting up the sky with more vibrant color.

With the abounding tribulation around us, I search for positive meaning and hope—light in the cloudy times we face. Seeing the beauty that comes from a “cloudy sunset” helps me realize that while things may seem to darken or obscure, they may be the very things that bring color, light, and beauty to our lives in unique ways we don’t anticipate.

In the book, Build The Life You Want, Arthur Brooks talks about how we can’t truly appreciate hope, joy and contentment without having known sadness, discomfort and fear. The contrast provides clarity and depth to our lives. He asserts, “The secret to the best life is to accept the unhappiness (so you can learn and grow), and manage the feelings that result.” This is not always easy, but it seems a worthy endeavor to “find peace in all things and play in every storm.”

If clouds are the canvas for the most creative and beautiful art of the heavens, then maybe the clouds in our lives create more vibrant, colorful, deep and perhaps—if we learn from them—more wise and loving human beings. :)

Teaser for Echoes of Eden...

Teaser for Echoes of Eden: Did any of you unscramble the teaser from the August newsletter? If you did (or want to go back and find it now), email me the answer and I’ll send two adorable little dolphin figurines to the first three you get it right. 

HINT: Remember Trey? Captain Ronan’s son—Princess Kaya’s betrothed? I’ll say no more because I don’t want to give any spoilers from the first book for those who haven’t read it yet. :)

Eden Quote of the Month:

“The sun was beginning to set. The orange orb hovered against the horizon, creating reds and yellows that stretched across the sky. It was beautiful. Kaya watched the colors blend and change, reflecting on the water and giving its own various hues. The sky darkened and twilight slipped into night. She didn’t know if she had ever actually watched day turn into night from beginning to end. It made her think about life. Each day a beginning and an ending, with life in between. Light and darkness sharing each day, taking turns to rule the sky. Maybe life was like the sky, split between light and darkness. This was a dark time in her life; perhaps there could still be light for her out there, somewhere” (35-36).

Eden Audiobook

Thank you to those you read and reviewed the new audiobook of Eden! Your wonderful reviews have really helped to spread it to new readers—I truly appreciate it. If you haven’t checked out the beautiful narration yet, here’s a link to get the audiobook!

Eden on Audible

I had a great time teaching a Teen Writing & Publishing class at the Sandy Library this month. The teens were so fun and some older writers showed up too!

COMING UP...

October 16-18: LDSPMA Writing Conference at Utah Valley University. Selling and Signing books!.

November 1st, 12:00-4:00: Indie Authors (Romance) Day—American Fork Library

December 6th: Utah Author’s Day, Spanish Fork Library

Come see me at one of these events; I'd love to see you!

Special Note:

If you are new and have yet to read Eden, download Chapter One here for a first look.

Eden Chapter One

What I'm Reading

Just finished: 

Built The Life You Want, by Arthur Brooks & Oprah Winfrey. This is a fantastic book about happiness—great research and practical strategies. And who doesn’t want to be happy? I’ve recommended it to everyone.

Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. I’ve read the first three now and I’m hooked! This witty heroine is a delightful, cheeky one you will adore. 

About to start: 

One of my favorite books ever, Frankenstein, by the teenage genius, Mary Shelley. I’ve read it a bunch, but I thought it would be a great one for my book club in October so this time I’m going to listen to the audiobook for a fresh twist! It’s narrated by Dan Stevens, so I’ve got high expectations.