Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Setting Inspiration

By

Today, I thought I'd take you on a tour of the real-life places that inspired the settings of my books! I love to travel and I've been fortunate to visit the settings of all of my novels. However, those of you who've read my books may have realized that the towns I've created are fictional. I chose this approach for two reasons.... 1) So that I can make my town every bit as cute as my … [Read more...]

Shelter-In-Place Activities & Giveaway

By

We are nearing the end of stringent sheltering in place in Indiana...it's been a slow move...very intentional and methodical. While I still have no idea what the new normal will be, I thought I'd share a few of the ways we've been spending the time since the middle of March. Because we've spent three summers in Europe as a family for various lengths of study abroad, the idea of it just being our … [Read more...]

Coastal Guardians Wilmington Virtual Tour

By

Hi friends, I’m so happy to be with you all today. Although it's only been a couple of week, it feels like it’s been longer. Things moved so slow for a while, in a very good way, that I got used to the quiet and the stillness. I was so thankful when I was finally able to see my daughter, her hubby and the grandbabies. Not seeing them was torture. My oldest grandson is in kindergarten and with … [Read more...]

Seeking Comfort in Hard Times

By

In the midst of a worldwide pandemic and widespread unrest, my family and friends have suffered a loss that strikes much closer to home. We lost a good friend. Over 22 years ago now, when my oldest was a newborn, I made a group of friends through an Early Childhood Education class. We were all first-time mothers and have been friends ever since. We have shared innumerable play dates and outings … [Read more...]

All the Promises

By

My novel All the Promises (originally titled Silver Bells) is free for Kindle today via BookBub, and I thought you might enjoy hearing a bit about how it came to be. Grab your free ebook HERE, then grab a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy this story behind the story. This was such a fun book to write, especially since it was set in the 1970s—the years when I was … [Read more...]

2020: The Year of Exceptional Hardships

By

2020 has sure been a year of hardships, hasn’t it? I can’t even begin to list all the hardships I’ve experienced so far since New Year’s Day. (I tried, but the list was too depressing, so I deleted it!) One of the most recent difficulties (amidst everything else going on in the country and world), is that my little town of Midland in central Michigan experienced devastating flooding. The … [Read more...]

New Release – At Love’s Command

By

I'm so excited to share the first book in a new series with you! If you like your cowboys rugged on the outside and tenderhearted on the inside, and your heroines feisty, strong, and independent, this is the book for you. Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook Here's an excerpt from where Matthew Hanger, ex-cavalry officer and leader of the famed Hanger's Horsemen meets his match. … [Read more...]

Debut Novelist Kimberly Duffy

By

I'm excited to introduce you to debut novelist Kimberly Duffy! Her first book, A Mosaic of Wings, released last month. I'm looking forward to reading this historical fiction set in late 19th century India! I decided to save it for after the big move with my daughter so I wouldn't be distracted. Enough said. Now here's Kimberly: My husband broke our car in an effort to find his passport … [Read more...]

Channeling my inner Annie Sloan

By

Have you ever painted with chalk paint? If yes, then you're my new BFF. Joe and I recently moved into a house we had built in the modern farmhouse style—waving to you, Joanna Gaines—and now I find myself "hankering" (I love that word, it's so good & Southern) to paint some of our furniture. First, my parent's king bed . . . I love the bed but the brown finish just isn't what I … [Read more...]

Recent Posts