Behind the Binding - Eden’s Coat

Behind the Binding is a series of blog posts that give you a peek behind the curtain of my novels, whether showing an aspect of my writing/publishing process, a teaser about the story, or insight to the inspiration. This Behind the Binding post is about my upcoming novel, The Betrayal of Eden.

Sometimes inspiration comes from the imagination. Dreaming up something that isn't real, being creative and creating something new, never seen before. The famous question of "What if..." and all the ideas that follow.

But much of my inspiration comes from reality, placing it in a new setting, a world with new rules. The set dressing may be different, but underneath, the worlds in my stories are very much the same as our own. Just with a bit of magic.

In The Betrayal of Eden, one of my favorite little Erin Easter Eggs is Eden's coat that she wears through the first half of the story.

This coat is directly inspired by one of my own, a coat given to me by my mother. Her dad (my grandfather) bought her this coat when she was 16, and it is still keeping me warm, even after nearly 50 years.

I love that even though I'm living on my own, apart from my parents for quite some time now, there are little reminders of them that accompany me in everyday life. Like this coat. My father's Dune books. My great-aunt Elma's glove collection and my great-aunt Jean's tiny books. Reminders of the lives that have come before ours and leave their mark, regardless of if they are still with us or not.

I loved drawing from my own experience with heirlooms for Eden's story, not only in her mother's coat, but in the details of her apartment.

While I'm blessed that my mom lives only thirty minutes away, there are others that I won't see again until I get to Heaven. And the few physical items I have that remind me of them are such a comfort when I am missing them, want to honor the mark they left on my life, or just to feel close to them once again.

What a joyous reunion it will be when I join them in eternity.

The Betrayal of Eden is the first book in a sweeping reimagining of Alexandre Dumas’ masterpiece, The Count of Monte Cristo. Filled with suspenseful mystery, shattered dreams, and dire consequences, it invites you into the resplendent world of Cartier City and will make you question everything you know about happy endings. Coming May 6, 2025.