Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

How’s Your Reading Year?

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2022 is almost half over, so I thought it was time for a reading update. This is my tenth year to participate in the Goodreads Reading Challenge (2013 was my first year). Tracking my reading in Goodreads has not only helped me read more books, but I am better about reviewing them, too. As a bonus, reviewing helps me remember what I liked or disliked about a book. Last Saturday, I … [Read more...]

Lots of Words, Lots of Fun!

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Last week I met author-friends Michelle Griep (Missouri) and Erica Vetsch (Minnesota) for a writing retreat in Pella, Iowa. We stayed in an Airbnb for a few days and wrote together, ate together, and laughed together. Pella is a charming town, settled by immigrants from the Netherlands in the 1840s who had fled religious persecution in their own country. They called their new home Pella, … [Read more...]

Collecting Stuff

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I loved Jody's post a few weeks ago about the things she collects (especially since there were a lot of cat things and I love cats.) So I thought I'd be a copycat and share a few things I collect with you this week. As a kid, I remember collecting pretty paper napkins, the kind used for special birthday parties, wedding showers, or holidays. By the time I left for college, I had a large apple box … [Read more...]

Reader Pet Peeves

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I recently posted this question on my Facebook author page... "I'm curious! Do any of the following things bug you when reading fiction? 1) Misunderstandings that go on too long. 2) A predictable plot. 3) Unlikely calamities (for example: fire followed by sickness followed by a blizzard). 4) When one honest conversation would really help matters, but the characters avoid having that … [Read more...]

5 Books I recommend + Giveaway

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This week I crossed having read or listened to 68 books. You can see the whole list here on Goodreads. Because I read voraciously and because we are officially in summer, I thought I'd take the time today to share some books I've enjoyed. At the end you'll also find links to two givewaways on my blog -- one ends today! Have you read any of these books? I don't know if you were able … [Read more...]

Lots of Extras

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Hi friends and happy Wednesday! Can here believe it’s nearing the end of June? Summer is flying by for me. I’m so excited to announce that my upcoming novel, The Deadly Shallows, releases in less than two weeks on July 5th. This leaves less than two weeks for you to snag the pre-order specials. If you haven’t visited my special, pre-order page you can here. It fully explains all the options you … [Read more...]

Boy or Girl? What will it be?

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Our son Kurt and his lovely wife Kellie recently shared they're having a baby! Our first grandchild, and we're beyond excited. This past Sunday, we had a reveal party, and their sweetly rambunctious double doodle Malcolm was the "revealer!" Watch the 15 second video below to see the reveal... Yep, we all waited in the front yard and Malcolm ran out with a blue bandana and balloons to … [Read more...]

Time for a new puppy

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For several months now, I've had a yearning I couldn't shake. I wanted to get a puppy. It's only been two years since my last puppy, mind you. Only two years since the potty training, the incessant chewing, the nibbling on my toes (which gave me cellulitis), and the gnawed corners on my dining room bench. But perhaps it's because my oldest dog is getting slower . . . or because I'm getting … [Read more...]

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