Hi Friends,
I am beyond excited to finally share that The Mixing Bowl: Maggie’s Rise will be released in Spring 2026. As I step into this next chapter, I’ve found myself reflecting deeply not just on the story but on how closely these characters’ journeys mirror our own.
I firmly believe this: confidence doesn’t come before action—it comes after it.
So often, we wait to feel ready. Ready for the job, the move, the relationship, the dream. But the truth is, readiness is born through the leap, not before it. We act first, and over time, with courage and practice, confidence follows.
That truth has shaped my own life—and it’s at the very heart of The Mixing Bowl.
Like Isabel, Cara, and Maggie, real change didn’t come until action was required. They pursued the bold dream of opening South Carolina’s first women-owned bakery, and only after committing to that decision did their lives begin to transform. Writing their story, I felt that struggle deeply. I knew that without courage, prayer, and my own leap of faith, this sequel would never exist.
Writing a novel, risking failure, making mistakes, and choosing growth over comfort will always be more meaningful than doing nothing at all. It’s important to me that each book I write is stronger than the last. I truly believe that Maggie’s Rise reflects that growth, because, like everything else in life, excellence comes with practice.
In this sequel, Maggie faces a defining choice once again: whether to expand beyond what the generations before her imagined and step fully into her truest sense of purpose. At first, she hesitates. Her confidence wavers. But then—something shifts.
That’s all I’ll say for now. Just know this: we all carry a bit of the Loring women within us.
What I love most about these characters is their unwavering belief in their own capacity and vision, even when doubt whispers otherwise. Imposter syndrome often appears when we are exactly where we’re meant to be. Feeling unsure doesn’t mean you don’t belong; it means you’re stretching beyond what you’ve known. The only way forward is to keep moving, trusting that growth is inevitable when we do.
I resonate so deeply with these women because I, too, now move forward with an unshakable belief in my purpose. Where I once hesitated to knock on doors or ask for opportunities, I now trust that my own character will lead me exactly where I’m meant to go.
Character is not personality. Character is not talent.
Character is who we are when no one is watching.
It’s grit, empathy, honesty, consistency, and integrity.
I spend countless hours honing my craft, becoming more creative and finding new ways to connect—grounded in prayer, hope, and trust that I am exactly where I’m meant to be.
Throughout Maggie’s Rise, one theme remains constant: Maggie’s ability to be a beacon of hope for others. That value matters deeply to me—not only as a writer, but also as someone rooted in a strong spiritual foundation. My mission is to live and write with that same integrity.
Championing others has always been one of my greatest strengths, and Maggie embodies that same spirit. Her story is a powerful reminder that when doubt resurfaces, we can pause and find grounding in how far we’ve already come.
I am incredibly proud of this latest novel, Maggie’s Rise, and amazed by how these past few years have transformed me in ways I never could have imagined. Thank you for being part of this journey and for believing in my work.
If this newsletter resonated with you, please feel free to share it with friends to help spread the word about my upcoming novel.
As always, thank you for your continued support. It truly means more than you know.
Write on, my friends,
With gratitude,
Donna Lynn Lito
