I am often asked, “Which character is your favorite?” Definitely, LoRetta Ghere, Annie’s beloved aunt! My mother often told me about her Aunt LoRetta whom she and her brothers and sisters called “Aunt Retta.” I choose to call my character “Aunt Lo” because I love that creative space between the name “Lo” and how high she soars in my books.
Readers first meet Aunt Lo, a librarian and artist, in “One Christmas.” My Great Aunt Retta was, in fact, an incredible artist. I have her painting of blue-eyed Jesus hanging in my home to this day. When I crafted my character, I thought of the extraordinary woman my mother often described and call upon Aunt Lo to inspire my readers to always reach for the best in themselves.
