There’s something about hitting a new milestone that makes this journey feel real in a whole new way.

Yesterday, the pre-orders for Marked by Fate went live. And I figured I’d just quietly celebrate in the corner with a cookie and some cautious optimism while refreshing my email like a maniac every ten minutes.

What I didn’t expect—what completely shattered me in the best possible way—was to have not one, but two orders come in before the 24-hour mark.

Three books. Two orders. One emotionally overwhelmed author crying in her car.

Let me set the scene.

The very first order came in from out of state. Someone who doesn’t even live here. Not someone I bump into at the store or see at a local event. Out of state. And not just one book—two. And not just any two. These were premium signed hardcovers—the most expensive tier I offer. I saw the confirmation email and just stared at it like it might disappear if I blinked too hard.

Then, a second order came through. This time, from someone right here in my hometown—Marion, Ohio. One regular hardcover. Still just as meaningful. Still just as jaw-dropping. Still just as worthy of me sitting there whispering “what is even happening” to myself like I’ve lost all sense of reality.

So, yeah. There were tears. More than a few. Happy, stunned, soul-deep kind of tears.

Because these aren’t just numbers on a screen. These are people. People who saw a book cover, maybe read a prologue, or started followed my chaotic, all-heart journey—and decided to believe in me. Believe in Marked by Fate. Believe in Noa and Christopher and the world I’ve built from nothing but late nights, relentless edits, and hope.

I’m still wrapping my head around it. Still trying to find the words to describe what this feels like, but “grateful” feels like a good place to start.

If you’ve already ordered—thank you. Thank you so much. Your support is everything.

And if you haven’t yet? No pressure, no rush, just know that pre-orders are officially open. And whether you're a fan of sleek hardcovers or want a signed copy with an exclusive bookmark, I’ve got you covered.

If you’d rather dip your toes in before diving, the prologue is available right now—a spoiler-free peek into the beginning of something big.

Prefer ebooks? You can grab your preorder on Amazon right now, too.

This is only the beginning. And it’s already more magical than I imagined.

Thank you to everyone for being a part of it.