Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Mysteries of History

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One of the reasons I love history is because so often it is full of mystery. As a novelist, I love stepping into that mystery with my imagination, building from what I know of an era to fill in the spaces of people’s stories that history has left blank. But being trained in history, I also love pursuing the mystery, digging and digging until an assumed-to-be lost story suddenly comes to life. … [Read more...]

“Shelter in place”

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"Shelter in place." "Lock down." "National Emergency." "The worst should be past us by June or July." These are crazy times we're living in, aren't they? And it would be easy to give into the sense of panic rising around us. But those who are clothed with Christ know better. He is our security and our firm anchor always. Always. When theologian Martin Luther was faced with the bubonic … [Read more...]

Be Prepared

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There’s no escaping the news, the fear, the warnings. The Coronavirus is coming! Beware! Be ready! I understand that I should be worried—after all, I’m over sixty and that puts me at a greater risk of dying if I do contract the virus. But strangely, I’m not worried. While I would like to live another dozen years and watch my grandchildren grow up, my philosophy is the same as my heroines’ … [Read more...]

I’m supposed to be editing…

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I've got edits back on my next book. I also have a book releasing in three weeks on April 7th. I'm so excited about Flight Risk! I can't wait to read your reactions to Savannah and Jett's story. It was a fun...and challenging...one to write with so many layers. From family friction for Savannah to a plane crash to a race to find truth in a fake news world, there's a lot happening. I've … [Read more...]

Writing Retreat Ready!

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Hi friends, Excited to be with you today! Right now, I’m getting my final things packed and heading to the airport to pick up a sweetheart of a friend. We’re heading up to beautiful Lancaster, Pennsylvania for a 4-day writing retreat. I can’t wait! I’ve hosted a writing retreat up there for a handful of dear writing friends. It was definitely a memorable time. We got hit with a massive … [Read more...]

Tea Time is the Best Time

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One of my favorite days of the year is visiting one of my favorite book clubs: Tantalizing Ladies Tea--A Christian Book Coterie. This is the group of women I fictionalized as the "Ladies Tea and Knitting Society" in my Tales From Ivy Hill series. They invited me to join them again last Friday, and again, it was such a blessing to be included! Best of all, we had a surprise visit from one of … [Read more...]

♫♪ On the Road Again… ♪♫

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It seems like just yesterday I was telling you all about our 50-day road trip in our Winnebago Travato camper van (that we named Meriwether). But the calendar says we've been home now for three and a half months, so I guess it's time to get on the road again! These were our routes going and coming last time. We're headed west again, but will be taking quite a different route this time. When … [Read more...]

Book Release and a Giveaway!

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This week I’ve been celebrating the release of The Runaway Bride, the next installment of my Bride Ships Series. It’s been such a fun week as readers eagerly set sail on a new reading adventure! I’m thrilled to announce that the book recently received a Starred Review from Book List, which is a pretty big deal since starred reviews are only given to a small selection of books. Book List … [Read more...]

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