Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Writing Update (aka What I’m Working on Now)

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I've always loved reading books that are part of a series. Because of that, for years, I dreamed of trying my hand at writing a series. With my Porter Family books, I got my wish! I discovered two things about series... #1) They're tricky because I have to juggle a large cast of characters who will star in future books or have already starred in past books. I strive to bring those characters … [Read more...]

Books, Puppies, and Fun oh my!

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One of the things I've done bit by bit through our time at home these last months is organizing different corners of the house. I had to laugh when each bookshelf I was working through had a copy of the same Lisa Scottoline book. The top one Lisa autographed for me at International Thriller Writers conference a couple summers ago. Now to make the time to read the book all the way through. I've … [Read more...]

Books in My Beach Bag

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Hi friends, Happy Wednesday. My brain thinks it’s still May and I have the rest of the summer left to enjoy so it’s hard to believe we are nearing the end of July! This is what happens when we change up our summer routine. We usually kick our summer off at the beach with a long weekend at Ocean City before the madness of Memorial Day. (Yikes!) Then later we have our family beach trip in … [Read more...]

She said, “Yes!”

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Fun family news! This past weekend our son Kurt asked his girlfriend Kellie Fusilier to marry him—and she said, "YES!" Unbeknownst to Kellie, Kurt had been in cahoots with her family and they drove from Louisiana to be with us at the lake this weekend. How it played out...  Kurt and Kellie were camping with friends on a nearby island and after he proposed, he sent us a quick text … [Read more...]

Books and Cover Art

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Every now and then, my publisher sends me copies of the foreign editions of my books. It always amazes me to learn that my novels are being translated and read in different places all around the world, places that I’ll probably never get to visit. I also find the foreign covers very entertaining! Sometimes the publishers use the same cover art as the original book, but sometimes I like the foreign … [Read more...]

What’s Coming Next?

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I’ve been hearing from many readers who’ve been finishing the third book in my bride-ship series, A BRIDE OF CONVENIENCE, and I’ve been getting questions and comments like: “I don’t want this series to end! Will there be any more books?” “I’m anxious to know if Zeke gets a story!” “Ever since Zeke was introduced, I’ve been waiting . . .” “Zeke is SO READY for a bride!” I’m super … [Read more...]

What Are You Watching?

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Thanks to our not-so-friendly neighborhood pandemic, many of us are spending more time at home this summer. And if you're like me, you're finding the entertainment options challenging. No sports (I'm particularly missing the Olympics as well as the tennis grand slam tournaments) and few normally scheduled summer programming options. I am watching a lot of Food Network, my go-to for clean TV in … [Read more...]

Things That Make Me Smile

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I don’t know about you, but I’ve been struggling a bit lately. Not only does the pandemic continue to make life stressful, but here in Texas we’ve now added 100+ degree days into the mix. My condo is feeling more confining than usual these days, and I’ve found myself wallowing in “I wish” and “If only.” So lately I’ve been trying to notice the things around me that make me smile. Perhaps they … [Read more...]

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