Renaissance of Self Series

A Vision for the Series

The Renaissance of Self series is built on a single, powerful belief: our greatest strength is revealed not in our perfection, but in our beautiful, messy, and courageous reconstruction.

It’s a journey for anyone who has ever felt broken and dared to become golden. This is a story about the found families that save us, the creative passions that heal us, and the moment we stop surviving our past and start building our future. It is a testament to the idea that everyone, no matter where they begin, deserves their own renaissance.

Follow Cressa Michaels as she embarks on a harrowing and ultimately triumphant journey from a life of fear and control to one of freedom, creativity, and authentic love. Each part of the series chronicles a pivotal stage in her transformation, from the desperate escape to the moment she finally claims her crown.

The Books

Part 1: The Escape

She was his property, his prize, his to command. For three years, Cressa lived in a gilded cage, serving a man who saw her as a transaction. But when he demands an unforgivable act, a long-suppressed spark of defiance ignites. One word—”No”—is all it takes to shatter her world.

Now, bruised but not broken, Cressa is on the run. Her escape leads her to an unexpected sanctuary: the vibrant, backstage world of a Renaissance Pageant. Here, she finds kindness in the eyes of strangers, safety in the rustle of handmade gowns, and a flicker of hope in a community of creators. She is taken in by Esther, a brilliant costumer, and Jenna, a fiercely protective tutor, who begin to stitch her back together, one thread at a time.

But her past has a long reach. Her ex, Dalton, and his crew are hunting her, and the fragile new life Cressa is building could be torn apart at any moment. Can she trust the safety she’s found, or is she just trading one cage for another? Can she truly have a renaissance of self when the ghosts of her past refuse to let her go?

Explore the Story:

Where to Buy (Launches October 3rd, 2025!):

  • Amazon (Kindle & Paperback)
  • Apple Books (Coming January 6th, 2026)
  • Barnes & Noble (Nook & Paperback) (Coming January 6th, 2026)
  • Kobo (Coming January 6th, 2026)

FORTHCOMING TITLES

Part 0: The Routine (Prequel)

A prequel about Cressa’s time with Dalton. Details coming soon.

Part 2: The Change

The Change is about the days immediately following The Escape where the consequences of her old life come to try and tear down the new life she’s created. There are consequences no one expected when it is discovered that Dalton wasn’t just abusive… he controlled and manipulated her life through a drug called Quell. [Likely coming 2026!!]

Part 3: The Challenge

The Challenge is about recovering from the effects of Cressa’s time with Dalton, the legal issues associated with that and her continuing relationships with her found family while developing her skills as both a singer-songwriter vocal artist and as an up and coming competitor in the Renaissance Clothing and Talent Pageant world.

Part 4: The Pageant

The Pageant is about going into the following year’s pageant as Cressa, Brayden, and Molly are set to compete. But Cressa’s old world isn’t done with her and it gets help from a jealous Molly. Pageant plans are derailed as Dalton and his crew take both Cressa and Molly from the street leaving the others to figure out how to get them back.

Part 5: The Crown

The Crown is about the competition for the pageant crown and the culmination of the hard work Cressa, Brayden, and Molly have put in. They are also dealing with the aftermath of being kidnapped and rescued.

Part 6: The Bride

The Bride is about the first annual New York City Bridal Competition hosted by the Historical Sewing Society. Esther, Jenna, and Molly are competing with Brayden and Cressa as their shared models but the world of Quell and Cressa’s musical journey have other reasons for her to be in NYC. The Quell Project is a passion taken up by Cressa to spread the word about the dangerous drug that has shaped her adult life.

Part 7: The Castle

The Castle is about chasing Brayden’s life long dream of creating a summer camp or similar program to teach people time period relevant life skills and keep history alive. We get to follow the journey of being newlyweds in a world now fully aware of Quell while chasing a dream.

Become Part of the Renaissance

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