From the Coast to the Mountains: Why Pine Valley Feels Like Home

When I set out to write stories, I knew one thing for sure: I wanted to set them in Maine.

I love the state I call home. I was born here and have spent decades exploring it. When my three boys were younger, we did more field trips than I can possibly remember, roaming from one end to the other. Every adventure deepened my appreciation for this beautiful corner of the country.

Most people think of Maine, they picture the coast. And truly, it is remarkable. I love walking the beaches searching for sea glass, exploring the rocky shoreline, and listening to the waves crash against the cliffs. One summer, my husband and I spent a week at Schoodic Point, wandering the coves, climbing the rocks, and soaking in the beauty of the ocean. It's one of my favorite places in the state.

It didn't take long for me to realize my first series belonged there. In my Haven series, I tried to capture the charm of small coastal towns, the local diner where everyone knows your name, the little shops filled with hidden treasures, and the close-knit community that make you feel like you've always belonged.

But here's the thing...

There is so much more to Maine than its coastline.

I great up in Piscataquis County, one of Maine's northern counties. Covered in forests and home to the state's largest lake, Moosehead Lake, it was a very different world from the coast. I grew up in a mill town (we had three mills) and while there wasn't an endless list of things to do, there was something even better.

Community.

It was the quintessential small-town experience. Everyone knew my parents. It was nearly impossible to get away with anything - not that I ever really tried! My high school only had 300 students total in grades 9 through 12, and there were just 69 of us in my graduating class.

Those are the knids of communities that shape you.

When it came time to begin my Seasons of Grace series, I wanted to share that side of Maine with readers. Not because I'd fallen out of love with the coast, but because there's an entirely different Maine waiting beyond the ocean views.

Pine Valley is set in the northern reaches of Somerset County. It's even more rural than the town where I grew up. My husband grew up in that area, and after we were married, we spent many years living next door to his parents. It was a wonderful place to raise our boys, where neighbors looked out for one another and life moved at a pace that let you appreciate what mattered most.

The summer I got married, I worked at a whitewater rafting company, taking reservations and working the front desk. Decades later, I still remember the excitement of that place—the anticipation of guests heading out on the river, the stories they brought back, and the unique community that surrounded the outfitting business. Those memories stayed with me, eventually becoming part of the inspiration for Summer of Grace.

My hope is that when you visit Pine Valley, you'll discover another side of Maine. One filled with winding rivers, mountain views, quiet forests, and neighbors who become family. It's a place that has held a piece of my heart for many years, and I can't wait to share it with you.