This weekend, the Camp Fire ripped through Northern California, decimating the town of Paradise. One of the Romance community's own, Julie Anne Long, was forced to evacuate her home on moments' notice. She made it out of Paradise with her family, her 14 year old cat, her laptop, paper files, and pretty much the clothes on her back. Her home, and all that was in it, burned to the ground. Julie lost everything -- all her books, her clothes, furniture, cookware, flatware, guitars. Her RITA award.

From Julie's FaceBook last Thursday:

"Got out safely with my sister's family and our pets; we're in a hotel. Drove through flames; this was taken through my windshield. Took about an hour or more to inch out of town. The terror of that journey hard to describe. The town is devastated—hospital, high school, Kmart, Walgreens, most of downtown have burned so far, from what I hear. It seems unlikely my house will survive, but I am praying, and if you wouldn't mind praying, too, for all the families and animals and first responders and fireman, I know it helps. Thank you so much! Things like this crystallize in a moment what really matters. Hug your loved ones close. xoxo"

If you'd like to help Julie, please consider contributing to this gofundme campaign. All net proceeds collected (for full transparency, this means the entire amount collected after GoFundMe deducts its fees and commission) will be sent directly to Julie Anne Long. 

And, if you cannot contribute, please send kind thoughts Julie's way -- there has been a huge outpouring of emotional support, which is truly helping her feel connected in this very troubling time. Her email is [E-Mail ausgeblendet].

Sending thanks to the heart of the Romance community.