Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Getting Crafty at Christmas

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One of my favorite things to do at Christmas is to decorate the family tree. It's no magazine showpiece. It's a walk down memory lane. Photo ornaments from when my kids were babies. Ornaments they made in school. Ornaments we made together at home. The handmade ornaments are always my favorite. As an avid cross-stitcher, I love to make ornaments as gifts for others. My publishing team has been … [Read more...]

Christmas Reads 2019

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I love a good Christmas novel or novella as much as I love a good Hallmark Christmas movie. Of course there are the perennial favorites like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, A Christmas Carol, Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree, and The Night Before Christmas. But every year there are other great stories set around Christmastime. Here is a list of what I’ve read and enjoyed this year: Royally … [Read more...]

Visiting Bethlehem

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The first time I visited Bethlehem more than 25 years ago, I expected to feel a sense of the beauty and simplicity of the much-loved Christmas story: a crude stable, the holy family, shepherds, wise men, and the Son of God in the manger.  I was sadly disappointed. The traditional site of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is inside the Church of the Nativity—a truly ancient church built in 565 … [Read more...]

Holiday Book Title Make-overs

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Recently, I read this adorable blog post. Erin added a word to book titles in order to transform them into holiday stories and then gave each one a plot line with a Christmas-y twist. Her post inspired me to attempt the same with my books! I asked my Facebook reader group (which you are all invited to join, by the way) for brainstorming help. Here are the results. My book titles, made … [Read more...]

My Favorite Christmas Movies & Giveaway

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Ever since I researched 1940s Hollywood for Stars in the Night, I've been a bigger fan than ever of classic movies. Growing up, my favorite movies were from the 30s and 40s...that hasn't changed. There's something I love about the simplicity of that time that shines through in movies that make me laugh and feel. So today I thought I'd share a few of my favorites. [Tweet "Love #Christmas? Have … [Read more...]

Stretching Our Hearts at Christmastime

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Hi friends,  Excited to be here with you today. I always love spending this time with you! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and am guessing most of you have your tree up and decorated…maybe even have most of your gifts bought or cookie baking days planned. I’m right there with you, but God has invaded my heart this Christmas in a way I hadn’t anticipated.  My husband and … [Read more...]

How I Celebrated My New Book’s Birthday

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Last week, we celebrated the release of a new novel at my annual book launch at my nearest local bookstore. This is always a highlight of my publishing year, thanks to the many friends and readers who show up to celebrate with me. In case you couldn’t join us, here’s a summary of the event: Describing the new book I’m excited about The Bridge to Belle Island, a stand-alone romantic … [Read more...]

Christmas Gift Guide for Your Bookish Friends GIVEAWAY

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Do you love books? Does someone on your Christmas list love books? Then here's a bookish gift giving guide just for you! Ten other authors and I have teamed together to give you some book buying ideas for every genre under the sun—contemporary, historical, romance, suspense, and more. Plus, we're giving away "11 gifts" that are really fun! Especially if you love to bake! Hint, … [Read more...]

The Benefits of a Rapid Release Schedule

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Most of my books release anywhere from six to nine months apart, which has worked really well in juggling the work involved in getting the books ready for publication. However, this past fall with my new Lost Princesses series, I decided to do something a little different and release the books in quicker succession, approximately one a month. First, since I already had all the books written, I … [Read more...]

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