Sierra Mason’s life is built on responsibility. After decades of sacrifice and a long estrangement, her bipolar sister Hope reappears—fragile, volatile, and desperately in need of help once again. When Sierra realizes Hope’s mental state is teetering into madness, she steps in, determined to keep her sister safe.
Then a wellness check goes disastrously wrong. Hope is shot by police, and Sierra is thrust into the aftermath—hospital rooms, legal uncertainty, and the fragile work of helping her sister recover. But while she works to secure her sister’s future, her own is slipping away.
Can Sierra rebuild her sister’s life without losing her own?
Hope and Madness is an upmarket, character-driven novel about complicated families, moral pressure, and the enduring bonds that persist even when everything else fractures. Readers drawn to emotionally resonant stories of difficult choices and hard-won persistence will want to read Hope and Madness.
Author
Julie Hartig
After a career in engineering, business, project leadership, and community boards, my appreciation for the power of stories has only deepened.
I write character-driven fiction rooted in lived experience. My work centers on family, responsibility, and the moral pressures of real life—where care has limits, systems falter, and the right choice is rarely simple.
When not writing, you’ll find me outdoors, traveling, or engrossed in a story, often with a cup of tea in hand.
The Boundary Reset is a brief, reflective guide that explores why burnout happens—and how creating space doesn’t have to come with guilt or confrontation.
The next chapter
Follow Along
Why “What Do You Do?” Isn’t Simple
A story and reflection on identity, social expectations, and the question, “What do you do?”
Introducing The Boundary Reset: Choosing Limits in an Unrelenting Moment
A reflection on boundaries, burnout, and care—exploring how thoughtful limits can help us remain engaged without losing our humanity in these trying times .
Restarting After a Break When Momentum Is Gone
After a long break, restarting creative work can feel heavier than staying still. This essay explores gentle, realistic ways to overcome inertia and begin again without shame.
Contact Author
julie @ jahartig.com