Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

New Series, New Setting

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I recently turned in revisions for my next book, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill (December 2016)—Book One in my first ever series! (The rest of my 10 books are stand alone.) The series focuses on four women friends in an English village who face changes and challenges with the help of their quirky neighbors and intriguing newcomers.   In the first book, a young widow  has to decide between … [Read more...]

Under The Covers… Book Covers, That Is

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At a recent meeting of the Minnesota chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers, our guest speaker was Jennifer Parker, Senior Graphic Designer at Bethany House Publishers. Jennifer began by asking us what we thought made a good cover, and then went on to explain her thoughts, and the process she goes through to create the beautiful covers she designs for many bestselling authors, … [Read more...]

Banoffee Pie: A Slice of British Life

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I am racing to finish revisions on my next novel set in England, and so my mind naturally goes to...dessert.   Banoffee pie is a popular dessert in Great Britain. The first time my husband and I had it was not in the UK, however, but in Minnesota, when we were invited to dinner at Jeff and Susan’s house. Jeff is from England, and Susan had kindly learned to make the pie for him—and … [Read more...]

Grandma’s Feather Bed

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Today I’m thinking about beds. Hoping for a nap? Nope. Doing research for a scene in a book, which sent me down a research rabbit hole. The articles and photos I perused about beds led to an “aha!” moment for me. Remember the  Hans Christian Andersen story, “The Princess and the Pea”? In the story, a skeptical queen decides to test a so-called princess by seeing if she can feel a pea … [Read more...]

Reading With Jane Austen

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Every now and again, I need a little dose of culture. So recently, I left the comforts of my suburban home and drove down to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to see their new exhibit, Jane Austen’s Reading Room (its curator is a fellow member of my local chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America). This room, along with the Georgian Drawing Room, are part of the museum's "living … [Read more...]

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