Meet the Grand Mesa Main Characters
The Grand Mesa Men series is a collection of stories near and dear to my heart. From second chances to found families, each book dives into different romantic tropes while weaving together the lives of characters who call Western Colorado home. I wanted to give you a sneak peek into each couple’s dynamic, what makes their story unique, and a few “behind the scenes” tidbits from my own life that inspired these books.
1. The Man Before You (Jack & Eloise)
Trope: Second Chance Romance
Fun Facts:
Loosely Based on Me: Eloise’s journey toward self-discovery, including her move to Colorado, mirrors big transitions I was going through in my own life when I wrote her story. I don’t often base my characters so heavily on myself, but Eloise was a big exception.
Tweaks for Continuity: To align the timeline for future books, I changed Brooks’s name (from Bryke) and adjusted his starting age from 19 to 14. These small tweaks ensure everything fits together seamlessly when readers dive into the rest of the Grand Mesa Men books.
Jack and Eloise’s story might be a prequel, but it sets the emotional tone for the entire series. Their reunion and self-discovery pave the way for all the love, hope, and second chances that follow. They also play a big role in the rest of the books. You can read these books in any order, but for the best experience I do recommend reading them in order. All of the characters show up in each other’s books and having their background will make everything a lot more fun. Jack and Eloise are written as parental figures even though they aren’t that much older than Jesse's sons and I have really loved exploring that dynamic of found family.
2. The Space We Leave (Ethan & Rocka)
Trope: Married Then Separated
Fun Facts:
Sudden Inspiration: During the writing process, I felt like something was “off.” Then it struck me: Ethan and Rocka were already married! Once I realized they’d tied the knot (and that Rocka left him without a word), the story fell perfectly into place. This is one of the most fun things about discovery writing… those moments when the characters reveal themselves or something about them or their past. As someone who doesn’t outline these moments are so exciting because it’s all puzzle pieces of their story that I get to find out as I’m writing.
Romance With Depth: This couple faces some heavy emotional baggage, including Rocka’s abrupt disappearance, hidden motives, and unresolved feelings. The tension of having once said “I do” adds a whole new layer to their reunion. This book also deals with addiction (not with the main characters) and how that plays out when there is a child involved. I really wanted Rocka’s son’s father to be likeable and I hope Griffin comes across that way. It was important to me to show that people who struggle with addiction are not always bad people. Sometimes, they make bad choices but that doesn’t change the fact that they love people and people love them.
Ethan and Rocka’s journey is a testament to how relationships can be messy, and even a marriage certificate doesn’t guarantee a smooth ride. Their path toward healing and reconciliation is what, in my opinion, makes this book unforgettable.
3. The Lines We Draw (Kyson & Livie)
Trope: Enemies to Lovers
Fun Facts:
Found Family: This story leans heavily into themes of community and belonging. Kyson and Livie’s banter might keep you laughing, but the heart of their story is about building a family out of the people you choose. Samantha, Livie’s niece is a big part of this story and so is Summer (a local Cafe owner and friend) and there’s a co-ed softball team and hopefully you get all of the small town vibes.
Personal Tribute: Kyson’s dog, Rosco, is inspired by my real-life Boxer, Rosco, who has since passed away. Having him on the page lets me keep his memory alive. I also based Rossi, the dog in The Man Before You, after Rosco. I’m sure there will be a lot of dogs in my writing inspired by him because he was my best friend and I miss him every single day.
Between Kyson’s passion for dog training and Livie’s career as a veterinarian, these two have plenty to bond (and butt heads) over. If you love sassy back-and-forth and heartwarming animal antics, this one’s for you.
4. The Wild We Embrace (Markham & Diana)
Trope: Opposites Attract
Fun Facts:
Hardest to Write: Out of all the books, this one challenged me most. It deals with alcoholism, and I felt a lot of pressure to handle that issue thoughtfully and accurately. I’ve talked about exploring these darker themes before and how when those are tied to things I’ve experienced on some level it’s a lot harder to write. It’s exposing yourself, even if readers don’t always know that. Every piece of writing is putting pieces of yourself on a page and that can be really scary. I think some of it is me in my own head, because a lot of people who read my books might not ever know how closely the words are to me. But, I know. I’ll always know. I’ve been trying really hard to be less afraid and to write the things that scare me, because that’s what great writing is. The things that scare us.
Hidden Tribute: I named the protagonists after characters in Kristen Ashley’s The Will: Markham is the middle name of KA’s hero Jake, and Diana is the middle name of her heroine Josie. It’s a small nod to one of my own writing inspirations.
Markham and Diana’s journey is filled with highs, lows, and real-life issues that test the strength of any relationship. Their opposite personalities and complicated pasts make them an unlikely but compelling pair.
5. The One We Know (Bryke & Clara)
Trope: Childhood Friends to Lovers
Fun Facts:
Love Letters: Bryke writes Clara letters, and I’m a total sucker for that old-school romance touch! You do get to read his letters in the book and I’m hoping to write her responses at some point to share with readers later down the line.
Adrenaline Junkies: These two share a love for Rock Crawling competitions, proving that a little risk can bring people closer together.
Standout Side Character: Clara’s best friend, Tessa, adds an extra spark to this story. She’s the kind of bestie who pushes you to chase your dreams… or face your fears. She kind of reminds me of Teddy from Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage.
The tension between a deeply rooted friendship and budding love makes this story both nostalgic and heart-racing. If you’ve ever had that “friend” you secretly pined for, you’ll see yourself in Bryke and Clara’s shoes.
Why I Love Writing These Stories
Each of these couples brings a unique flavor of romance—from the tender second chances to the thrill of enemies becoming more. But together, they form a connected world where love conquers heartbreak, hope emerges in the darkest times, and the bonds you create can define who you become.
I can’t wait to share all of these books with you through the Grand Mesa Men series. Each story is a piece of my heart, and I hope you’ll fall in love with these characters as much as I have.
Have a favorite romantic trope or a story that resonates with you? Drop a comment and let me know—I’d love to keep the conversation going!
If you’d like to follow the Kickstarter for these books, you can do that here: Grand Mesa Men Series.
