Revealing the Cover of Lost Illusion: Why We’re Stronger (and Wiser) Together

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned—both through motherhood and writing—is this:
You don’t have to figure everything out alone.

In fact, you shouldn’t.

That belief is at the heart of my upcoming novel, Lost Illusion, the sequel to Choice. This time, Val faces new challenges as a single mom. But instead of trying to “power through” by herself, she begins to discover that collaboration—asking for help, trusting others, working as a team—isn’t a weakness. It’s the way forward.

And as it turns out, that message came to life in the creation of Lost Illusion itself—especially when it came time to choose the cover.

I had a few designs I liked. But none of them felt right. I was too close to the project. I couldn’t see it clearly. That’s the funny thing about passion projects—our attachment can cloud our judgment. So I turned to you, my readers and community, and asked for your help through a poll.

The results blew me away. Not only did your feedback help me land on the perfect design—it took the whole project to a level I couldn’t have reached on my own.

✨ Here it is… the official cover of Lost Illusion!

This experience reminded me how deeply conditioned many of us are to avoid collaboration, even when it would clearly help. It made me think about the common myths that keep so many people—especially women—isolated in their work and dreams. So let’s name them:

Myth #1: “If I don’t do it myself, it won’t be done right.”

This one is so common, especially among high-achievers and perfectionists. We fear that others won’t care as much, won’t meet our standards, or won’t understand our vision. But here’s the truth: when you choose the right collaborators and remain open to new perspectives, the results often exceed your expectations. That’s what happened with the Lost Illusion cover. I didn’t lose creative control—I gained clarity.

Myth #2: “I’ll lose my voice if I involve too many people.”

There’s a fear that group input will dilute your originality. But in reality, collaboration doesn’t erase your voice—it refines it. It reflects it back to you, helps you articulate it more clearly, and makes your message stronger. The final cover of Lost Illusion didn’t replace my vision—it revealed it more powerfully than I could have alone.

Myth #3: “Asking for help means I’m not good enough.”

This one runs deep. Especially in a world that idolizes independence, many of us have internalized the belief that we have to do everything on our own to prove our worth. But asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. In fact, the most successful people are often the ones who know how to build and lean on strong support systems.

These myths aren’t just relevant to writers and creatives—they show up in motherhood too.

Even when our kids are grown up, in college, or navigating early adulthood, the instinct to do everything ourselves doesn’t always go away. We still want to care for them, support them, and figure things out on their behalf. But here’s the truth: parenting doesn’t come with a manual at any stage. That’s why seeking another perspective, asking for support, or even just hearing, “you’re not the only one,” can be a game-changer.

As mothers, we’re often the emotional center of our families—but we’re also human. We’re allowed to need help too.

Learning to not do everything alone is a lifelong practice. And it’s a powerful one.

Because being open to collaboration doesn’t mean giving up your intuition—it means strengthening it. When others reflect back what they see—whether it’s your brilliance or your blind spots—they give you a fuller picture. It’s easier to hear your inner voice when the noise of fear and self-doubt is quieted by trusted insight.

In Lost Illusion, Val begins to make choices not from survival, but from her heart She learns that she doesn’t need to be superhuman to make progress. She just needs to stay connected—to herself, to her inner guidance, and to the people around her.

And so do we.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Lost Illusion launches in Fall 2025, and I cannot wait for you to read what happens next.

Until then, remember:
Your intuition is not a solo act. It speaks more clearly when you’re surrounded by people who want to see you succeed.

✨ Haven’t read Choice yet? It’s the first book in Val’s journey—and the perfect lead-up to Lost Illusion. Grab your copy here