Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Love Explained (and a giveaway!)

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I'm in the Caribbean this week with my family! His Highness is volunteering with the Anguilla Tennis Academy, my son is attending their tennis camp, and my daughters and I are relaxing, enjoying the surf, and soaking in the sun. Please extend a warm welcome guest-blogger Sara Beth Williams! Be sure to check out the fantastic giveaway she's offering at the end of this post. -Becky In my … [Read more...]

My Happy Place: Time with Writers

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This week I've been in Nashville with several of my author friends at an author summit at our publisher, Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins Christian Publishing. This has been a great week to connect with my buddies, editors, and marketing team. I have been geeking out on the big picture and learning so much. As authors, writing the book is only one piece of the process. Then we have to figure out … [Read more...]

Our Heroes in Action

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Hi friends,  I’m super excited to be chatting with you today. Only 13 days until The Killing Tide releases! I’m so excited to share Finn and Gabby’s story with you. Finn is a Coast Guard Investigative Service agent. I’ve spent so much time learning about CGIS’s important work and all about the Coast Guard. I’ve been so fascinated by the vastness of their service.  Coast Guard … [Read more...]

Grateful For A Million Sold

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Recently, my publisher held a tea party to celebrate one million copies sold of my books. It was a lovely event. How do I feel about reaching this milestone? Do I feel proud or victorious? No. Am I ready to rest on my laurels and coast? No. Don't worry, it hasn't gone to my head. I am aware that many authors have sold far more (The Harry Potter series has sold over 500 million). But when the … [Read more...]

Two Special Birthdays

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The moving trucks come tomorrow and we are in the thick of last-minute packing for our move to Missouri, but I couldn't let this day go by without wishing a very happy birthday to two extra precious people in my life! Today our adorable first granddaughter turns eight! And my amazing mother-in-law turns... Well, I'll let her decide whether she wants her age plastered all over the Internet or … [Read more...]

How to Respond to Someone Who Doesn’t Like Reading

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I regularly come into contact with people who, upon discovering I’m an author, proceed to tell me (almost apologetically) that they don’t like to read (or that they don’t have the time—which is equivalent to not liking it, in my opinion). “I don’t like reading.” OR “Reading is boring.” We’ve all heard someone make those declarations at one time or another. As an avid book lover, how do you … [Read more...]

Win a Book for a Friend

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Reading is usually a solitary endeavor. However, there is something special about sharing the experience with a friend. Being able to talk about favorite characters, debating plot twists, crying together over the sad moments, and celebrating the triumphs is a rare joy. As wonderful as books are for individuals, they can be even better when shared. That is why I wanted to try something a little … [Read more...]

Woodrow Wilson Birthplace and Presidential Library

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What do you do when, while driving from a major airport to a remote meeting site for hubby’s business meetings, you pass a sign that reads “Woodrow Wilson Birthplace and Presidential Library”? You make plans to stop on your way back to the airport, of course! So we did. And how glad we were that we made the time. If you’ve been around here long, you know that my husband and I love … [Read more...]

New Carnton Novels video!

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Two weeks ago, I shared that HarperCollins and I filmed some video vignettes for the Carnton series on location at Carnton in Franklin, Tennessee. We had such fun! Here's the first of those videos! I'll share the other videos once they're edited and ready—and would love to hear your thoughts on this one! I love making these videos for several reasons. I enjoy sharing real history. And … [Read more...]

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