Several years ago, I was involved with an author driven publishing group called Enchanted Publications. We released an anthology entitled What the Heart Wants in May of 2017. We donated 100% of the profits to the Terry Foundation. I always wanted to collaborate with those authors again to do another anthology to benefit the American Heart Association. Unfortunately, life happened. We all went different ways, but in the back of my mind I was plotting to get this anthology together eventually.
In early February 2021, I was scrolling through TikTok when I came across the live stream of JT Laybourne (@jt_laybourne). JT has suffered life long heart problems and had to have life altering surgery during the height of the pandemic. He came out the other side a little more wonderful which seemed impossible due to the amazing human he was before. His whole TikTok page is dedicated to spreading kindness. That day, he broke the record for the most TikTok donations. I cried with him, his wife (@mrs.jt), his family (@eddudez), and friends (@scottdhenry) as the chatted with celebrities (@waynebrad and @ajmcleanofficial), artists, police officers (@officer_eudy), and more. Every cent that was raised that evening went to benefit the American Heart Association. I have a heart condition as well and I knew in those moments, I could not and would not wait to organize the anthology I’d been dreaming of putting together for years.
So, what did I do? I contacted my friend and founder of Enchanted Publications, Jeanne McDonald, and asked her what I needed to do to make it happen. We chatted back and forth for a few hours and a game plan was set. We invited authors to join in, picked a theme, and set a date. Have a Heart: A Beauty in Imperfection Anthology was born. Myself, Jeanne, and nine others will be bringing you stories all surrounding the heart. I can guarantee romance, some laughs, and possibly a few tears and 100% of the profits will go to The American Heart Association.
Let me introduce to you the authors and their titles coming in February!
Anthology Foreword by Sydney Logan
Hope for the Broken Heart by Lisa Bilbrey
Cross My Heart by Jami Denise
Unbreak My Heart by Carrie Elks
Falling for the Heartbreaker by Tami Franklin
Open Hearted by Lindsey Gray
Heartbeat by Sandi Layne
Heartburn by Jennifer & Morgan Locklear
Straight from the Heart by Jeanne McDonald
Conversation Hearts by Perry Noël
Heartthrob by Nichole Rose
We hope to have it up for pre-order in late November or early December for the February 4th, 2022 release. We have a lot of things in the works to celebrate these stories and support an amazing cause. Please check any of our social medias for updates as they happen!
Love to all of you!
Lindsey Gray
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