Local author Sarah Dressler has seen plenty of travels in her life, but the lives of her three novels, soon to be four, have taken her even further.

Dressler is the author of a three-book series starting with her debut novel “Christmas Cove” which was released November 2023. “Christmas Cove” is a heartwarming romance set in a charming coastal town. Seeking refuge from heartbreak, a young woman finds herself embraced by the close-knit community, discovering love, forgiveness, and the magic of Christmas.

The author followed up ‘Cove,’ with her second venture “Spring Showers,” a stand-alone sequel to the first book in mid-2024. Dressler bloomed with themes of renewal and second chances with her second book, set in the same enchanting town as depicted in “Christmas Cove.”

Her third novel, released the following December, the Valentine-themed romance “A Winter’s Wedding” follows an accidental Las Vegas marriage that sparks a heartfelt road trip. This installment reinforces Dressler’s reputation for crafting unique, low-spice love stories with deep emotional connections.

Originally from Florida, the daughter of a U.S. Air Force officer, Dressler has seen extensive travel throughout her life, giving her life experience to help enrich her writing. However, the craft started in the world of blogging before becoming a full-time contemporary romance author. In fact, in 2014 she was a stay-at-home mother of two children under six years old. The year prior, her family and she moved to east Texas in support of her husband’s service in the Air Force, she said. A fashion enthusiast throughout her life, she was a routine go-to stylist for all of her friends. Once, a friend of hers needed a stylist for a photoshoot and it gave Dressler the idea to become a freelance stylist.

“I quickly learned that I could reach far more people and have a greater impact by starting a blog and developing my social media presence,” Dressler said. “Writing about fashion combined the things I loved in a low-stress environment that allowed me to hone my skills as a storyteller.”

She went all-in on helping other women feel beautiful and confident in their everyday lives, she said. In addition, she picked up professional jobs where she could. Fast forward a few years of success later, Dressler worked as a full-time home educator and her family moved several times again. The time she had to maintain her blog shrank.

Looking for her next big venture, she spent time praying on her next steps, and eventually, she had a chance meeting with a friend of a friend, who was a writer, who asked Dressler about the blog. A few days later, after going through Dressler’s blog, the person asked her why she wasn’t writing novels.

“This was the nudge I needed,” the now-author said. “Over the years, I had begun writing more novels than I could count but never wrote more than a couple chapters of any one project. I know I had to give it a real try for the first time.”

On July 17, 2022, Dressler woke up from a vivid dream which she describes as divinely inspired, laying out the entire story of “Christmas Cove.” By lunchtime, she had drafted a detailed 20-chapter outline and dove into writing, completing the novel by December 2022. Within weeks of submitting it, 5 Prince Publishing offered her a contract, marking the start of her journey into sweet contemporary romance and officially as a fiction writer.

Shortly after working out the final copy of “Christmas Cove” with her editor, Dressler knew there was still much to explore in the fictional universe she had created.

“I reached out to my publisher for pre-approval to continue the series, with each installment being set in a new season,” she said. “I got the green light.

“They say to write what you know, and this idea has never been more true than when I began exploring the world of the Cove.” Soon, it became evident this imagined place was a haven for healing and renewal, reflecting Dressler’s own journey through health challenges. Drawing from personal experiences, she sought to write stories which feel like comforting hugs, meant to inspire, entertain, and uplift, she said.

According to reviews, readers have responded well to Dressler’s novels for their heartwarming, Hallmark-style charm, engaging characters, and unexpected twists. Her stories captivate with sweet, relatable narratives that transport readers to enchanting romantic settings, solidifying her reputation in contemporary romance, readers have stated.

However, stories from the Cove aren’t over yet as Dressler’s fourth installment, “Sweet Summertide,” is scheduled to release on May 6 of this year. “Sweet Summertide” follows the story of two young chefs who arrive in Christmas Cove to open rival shops, but their heated competition soon turns into a sizzling summer romance. Filled with charming summer activities like water blaster fights, a firefly parade and moonlit boat rides, the story also delves into deeper themes of healing from the scars of controlling parental relationships, blending lighthearted fun with emotional depth.

“By touching on a deeper theme, I’m able to give a perspective to my readers that they might not otherwise experience in a sweet romance novel,” Dressler said.

Dressler first moved to Colorado in 1993 when her father was stationed at Cheyenne Mountain. Although they moved away shortly after, it wasn’t long before she found herself back in the Rocky Mountains again. Over the following 20 years, she returned to Colorado four additional times among many other places. Presently, her spouse is stationed in Colorado. “I never know where I’ll end up next, nor how long I’ll stay, but I will enjoy it while I can,” Dressler said.

As an author, the ultimate dream of her writing career is to see one of her stories adapted for the big screen. So passionate about this vision, she has even begun learning the art of screenwriting, believing with the support of her fans, this dream can become a reality, she said.

Above all, Dressler hopes her readers leave her books with a deeper understanding of themselves and the world, or at the very least, feeling thoroughly entertained.