New Memoir Dear James Shares One Mother’s Journey Through the Loss of Her Son to Addiction and the Long Road Toward Healing
Willis, Texas – Author Janet Ropp announces the release of Dear James: The Day Addiction Took My Son – A Mother’s Journey Through Grief and Healing, an intimate memoir chronicling the devastating loss of her 19-year-old son to addiction and the deeply personal path she traveled toward healing. Published by Writers of the West, the book offers an honest account of grief, unconditional love, and the enduring bond between a mother and her child.
Beginning with the ordinary October afternoon that forever divided life into “before” and “after,” Dear James takes readers through the heartbreaking phone call, the arrival of detectives at her home, and the unimaginable reality of losing a son to overdose. More than a memoir of loss, the book explores what comes after tragedy, learning to live with grief, confronting guilt and codependency, finding meaning amid unimaginable pain, and discovering that healing does not require forgetting.
Written with unfiltered honesty, Ropp shares journal entries, personal reflections, and the emotional realities of addiction’s impact on families. Rather than offering simple answers, she invites readers into the complicated landscape of mourning, revealing how love continues even after death and how healing can emerge through vulnerability, faith, and human connection.
“I didn’t write this book because I had all the answers,” said Janet Ropp. “I wrote it because I know what it feels like to lose a child, to question everything, and to wonder if life will ever feel whole again. If my story helps even one grieving parent feel seen, understood, or less alone, then sharing James’ story has been worth every word.”
A certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Spiritual Life Coach, and graduate in Human Services from Sam Houston State University, Ropp combines lived experience with years of personal healing to create a resource that speaks not only to parents who have lost children, but also to anyone affected by addiction, trauma, or profound grief.
In addition to her personal story, Dear James includes practical resources for grieving families, reflections on recovery and resilience, and a heartfelt tribute celebrating James beyond the addiction that claimed his life. The memoir encourages readers to embrace grief as an ongoing expression of love while offering reassurance that hope and purpose can still be found after unimaginable loss.
Book Details
- Title: Dear James: The Day Addiction Took My Son – A Mother’s Journey Through Grief and Healing
- Author: Janet Ropp
- Editor & Publisher: Writers of the West
- Publication Date: July 16, 2026
- Language: English
- Length: 234 pages
- ASIN: B0H962DT6S
- Formats: Kindle Edition, Paperback, Hardcover
- Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H962DT6S
About Janet Ropp
Janet Ropp is an author, speaker, certified Grief Recovery Specialist, and Spiritual Life Coach whose life was forever changed after losing her 19-year-old son, James, to addiction in 2018. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Sam Houston State University and has spent more than two decades working in healthcare as an Endoscopy Technician. Through her writing and coaching, she helps individuals and families navigate grief with compassion, hope, and authenticity.
About Writers of the West
Writers of the West is an independent publishing and editorial company that partners with authors to develop, publish, and distribute books across major print and digital platforms. Through professional editorial, design, and publishing services, the company helps writers transform meaningful stories into professionally published works.
Media Contact
Company Name: Writers of the West
Contact Person: Media Manager
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H962DT6S
