Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

2020: The Year of Exceptional Hardships

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2020 has sure been a year of hardships, hasn’t it? I can’t even begin to list all the hardships I’ve experienced so far since New Year’s Day. (I tried, but the list was too depressing, so I deleted it!) One of the most recent difficulties (amidst everything else going on in the country and world), is that my little town of Midland in central Michigan experienced devastating flooding. The … [Read more...]

New Release – At Love’s Command

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I'm so excited to share the first book in a new series with you! If you like your cowboys rugged on the outside and tenderhearted on the inside, and your heroines feisty, strong, and independent, this is the book for you. Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook Here's an excerpt from where Matthew Hanger, ex-cavalry officer and leader of the famed Hanger's Horsemen meets his match. … [Read more...]

Debut Novelist Kimberly Duffy

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I'm excited to introduce you to debut novelist Kimberly Duffy! Her first book, A Mosaic of Wings, released last month. I'm looking forward to reading this historical fiction set in late 19th century India! I decided to save it for after the big move with my daughter so I wouldn't be distracted. Enough said. Now here's Kimberly: My husband broke our car in an effort to find his passport … [Read more...]

Channeling my inner Annie Sloan

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Have you ever painted with chalk paint? If yes, then you're my new BFF. Joe and I recently moved into a house we had built in the modern farmhouse style—waving to you, Joanna Gaines—and now I find myself "hankering" (I love that word, it's so good & Southern) to paint some of our furniture. First, my parent's king bed . . . I love the bed but the brown finish just isn't what I … [Read more...]

New Tricks

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You can call me old-fashioned. I don’t mind, because in many ways, I am. I have an e-reader, but I much prefer a “real” book. I have thousands of photographs on my phone, but I still print out my favorites and display them all over the house. I send and receive text messages, but it’s a special thrill to receive a hand-written letter from someone I love. I enjoy talking to my granddaughters on … [Read more...]

Read to Not be Alone + Giveaway

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Anyone else feeling a bit isolated and alone? We are still largely sheltering in place in our corner of Indiana, and the weeks are getting long. A friend posted something on Friday about it being 70 days since she'd seen her husband -- they were separated when the country she'd traveled to locked down -- and the number made me sigh. It feels so large...and so small at the same time. I think that's … [Read more...]

Teaching Moments

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Hi friends, I pray you and your family are doing well and staying healthy during this crazy season of life. With all this extra time at home, particularly before they started Stage One of reintroduction (what it’s called in Maryland at least), I thought I’d have so much time and get so much accomplished. I’d finish my book early, I’d get all my launch stuff prepped and ready to roll out when … [Read more...]

Some Things Never Change…

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My husband and I drove to northern Minnesota, an area of charming old-time resorts, kitschy shops, and rustic cafes that serve local favorites like walleye, wild rice soup, hot dish, and many kinds of pie. (Raspberry rhubarb crunch anyone?) We try to make it up there once a year, sometimes in spring, sometimes in summer, and most often in autumn when colorful leaves add to the beauty of the North … [Read more...]

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