Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Book Release and a Giveaway!

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A BRIDE OF CONVENIENCE, the third book in my bride-ship series, is now available! The title says it all! This is a bride of convenience story. In the romance genre, that means the lead couple gets married for a reason other than love, usually because of some mutually beneficial arrangement. Writing a marriage of convenience story is fun but challenging. First, the writer has to figure out … [Read more...]

Dressing for the 4th of July (Plus a Giveaway!)

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Nothing puts me in a patriotic frame of mind more than seeing bunting proudly displayed on homes and businesses. In fact, last year when I traveled to Honey Grove, TX for the book launch of More Than Words Can Say, I saw this house. Not only was this a gorgeous Victorian-era home restored to its former glory, but it was a patriotic home as well. It was only the middle of June, but they … [Read more...]

Our Anniversary Experience

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We’ve been a little lax about celebrating our wedding anniversary over the past few years. It started with our 30th rolling around just weeks before our son married—our first child to do so. The next year passed on repeat, this time his brother meeting his bride at the altar. Last year, we were more engaged in traveling to see our new grand baby than celebrating our anniversary. And then this … [Read more...]

Guess what day this was for me?

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Mammogram Day! And here's how it went down . . Click to see the video on YouTube What do you do to celebrate this annual milestone? I told the technician what I was going to do right after and she got so tickled, then said she was going to start celebrating her annual "squishing" too. So tell me, have you had your annual mammogram this year (or whatever procedure you choose health … [Read more...]

Beautiful Days of Summer

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Hi friends, I pray you are healthy and enjoying the warmer weather. I’m a beach girl at heart and a summer girl through and through. In fact I’ve made an ‘office’ for myself out on the back deck where I spend the day (and evenings as deadline approaches) writing. Besides the warmth and sunny days, there’s just something special about summer. Maybe it comes from being a kid. Having the … [Read more...]

When Did Your Love of Reading Begin?

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Bethany House Publishers recently ran a poll on Facebook, asking, “When did you first discover a love for reading?” An overwhelming 92% replied “From a young age” while only 8% chose, “Later in life.” Those in the first category credited others with instilling their love of books at a young age, including: a pastor’s wife, local book mobile, libraries, siblings, grandparents, and, not … [Read more...]

The Life of a Table

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Once upon a time, about thirty years ago, a young couple on a very (VERY!) tight budget received several hundred dollars for hail damage on a very (VERY!) old car that probably wasn't worth several hundred dollars. So the husband said to the wife, "You've been wanting a new dining table and chairs. This is our chance to buy them." So they did! The wife (that's me, in case you haven't figured … [Read more...]

The Push & Pull of a Satisfying Romance

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I recently received an email from Eileen, a reader who is writing her first romance novel. She said: “I love the way you write romances and how they are so intense, I have few questions that I hope you can help me with.” The questions were definitely thought-provoking! And since so many of you are romance lovers (readers as well as writers), I thought you could chime in the comments with your … [Read more...]

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