Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

So which are you?

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I've got three questions for you today, and they all pertain to personal preferences. Ready? Let's go! #1While Joe and I were in Hilton Head last month, we made a trip over to Bluffton (as we always do when we're there). Bluffton, South Carolina has a wonderful little artsy district, and in that artsy district is a door that I just love. I take a picture of it every time I'm there. I … [Read more...]

Up In A Tree

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I’m nearing the end of the novel I’m currently writing, and as I keep telling my husband, “I have to bring this story in for a landing.” My main characters have found themselves facing more and more problems and dilemmas over the past twenty-some chapters and it’s time to resolve them in a (hopefully) satisfying way. I’ve heard writers explain the plotting process as forcing your main character up … [Read more...]

2020 Reflections and My Word for 2021

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I didn’t blog on a regular basis in 2020. Plenty of good intentions but not enough follow through. But I’ve enjoyed writing a year end reflection post for several years and didn’t want to miss writing one for 2020. MY WORD FOR 2020 Revelation (Ephesians 1:17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the … [Read more...]

A late Merry Christmas

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For many years since our children have been grown, especially since we have several teachers in the family, our time to celebrate Christmas with them has been the week between Christmas and New Years. I've always said that as long as we can be together, it doesn't matter when. Well, this is that week! We are gathered in beautiful southeast Missouri at our oldest daughter's house in the … [Read more...]

Merry Christmas!

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On this wonderful day, the day of the year when we celebrate our Savior's birth, I hope you'll be blessed by the lyrics to the song "I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day", based on the poem "Christmas Bells" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I heard the bells on Christmas dayTheir old familiar carols playAnd mild and sweet their songs repeatOf peace on earth good will to men And the bells are … [Read more...]

Christmases Past

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This week three of my kids and I are home in North Platte for an early Christmas and for my niece's wedding. We've had a wonderful time with family, lots of games, laughter, and cousins running wild. But today I wanted to share some photos and a short video from locations featured in Canteen Dreams (my first book, an award-winner that is on ebook sale on Amazon for 99¢ this month). Our first night … [Read more...]

Glad Tidings

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Hi friends, It’s two days until Christmas! I can hardly believe it’s been another year of sharing our love of books, stories, and life together. I hope you know how much I look forward to sharing this time with you every other Wednesday. Today, I thought I’d share a glimpse of our pre-Christmas fun, along with how the McKenna family from my Alaskan Courage series celebrates. We’ve been … [Read more...]

Regency-Era Baking: Mincemeat Pie

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I recently took an online class taught by The Regency Cook in association with the Regency Town House in Brighton and Hove, England. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. If you have the opportunity, you may want to check out his other class offerings for yourself. I mentioned mincemeat in two of my novels (The Silent Governess and An Ivy Hill Christmas) so I thought it was time I actually … [Read more...]

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