#websweweave

Destructively Mine by Krista & Becca Ritchie is now live in audio! Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock & Carly Robins

Ex-grifter Phoebe Graves’ new life threatens to come crashing down around her in the next unputdownable novel from the New York Times bestselling authors of the Addicted series.

I can love you from here.

Don’t borrow trouble.

If you can’t remember, it must’ve been a lie.

They’re a horse a piece.

Family gives us all kinds of things. Mine, among other things, has given a series of phrases--phrases that, with context, begin to shape individual narratives. And these individual narratives weave together our collective narrative.

My family consists of a bunch of gypsy-souls and homebody hearts. We’re often spread out across this country (and sometimes others).

We have soft edges, and some rough ones. Almost all of us are readers and all of us are incredibly creative, in our own distinct ways. We are storytellers. We appreciate a well-placed swear word (or three). We don’t shy away from many topics. If any. Like, at all. Most of our words are traded in the kitchen. We are generally open and progressive, and above all other virtues, we value character & integrity.

We’ve survived generations of abuse (and its side effects, including battles with addiction). I can’t think of one of us who hasn’t had to walk through fire. On top of the heavy loss of my uncle (a father, brother, and son to others) earlier this year, it was a tough holiday with another family member missing.

My cousin who was raised more like a brother, is currently lost in the flames of his own fire; for the first time in our lives he couldn’t be with us this holiday, so I started writing him a letter. In doing so, I discovered a stronger sense of this collective narrative and how we all fit together within it, shaping it still, as we live. I hope he can remember the cloths (of resilience and grit) he is cut from.

To close the holiday, my cousin, Amanda, posted a family photo on one of her social media accounts with the caption:

Family. Where love is unconditional. Where mistakes are made and lessons learned. Where excuses are defeated and the best versions of ourselves are encouraged. Sporadic hugs, spontaneous back rubs and countless home cooked meals. Whether we’re sharing giggles or sharing tears; we carry each other in our hearts.

xoxooxoxxxx