Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year . . . Really?

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Don't get me wrong. I love Christmas. I eagerly await and cherish family time and cooking and sharing meals together. I even enjoy shopping for presents—as long as I don't have to step one foot inside a mall and can accomplish most (if not all) of my gift giving online. Either that or via baking something yummy. ; )  But the best thing about the holidays is spending time with family. … [Read more...]

The Gift

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Last week at our Ladies’ Christmas Tea, a woman who enjoys reading my books said to me, “God has given you a wonderful gift.” Maybe it’s the season of the year, but instead of hearing “gift” the way I usually do, as a talent or ability, I immediately pictured a beautifully wrapped present. A gift! I did nothing to earn it or deserve it. Unlike Santa Claus, God doesn’t give gifts to “nice” … [Read more...]

New Book: Who I Am with You

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It’s here at last! The release of Who I Am with You. I have been eagerly awaiting this day for what seems forever. In 2017, after turning in the manuscript for You’re Gonna Love Me, I was reading my long-used (over 20 years), well-loved Bible which is full of highlights as well as notes and dates in the margins. Suddenly I wondered what this Bible might mean to members of my family after I'm … [Read more...]

Christmas Heirlooms (and a giveaway!)

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In The Christmas Heirloom novella collection, all four of the stories are linked by an heirloom "Luckenbooth" brooch (a traditional Scottish love token) that's passed from mother to daughter through the generations.  In the novellas, we also describe an embroidered brooch bag, stitched with a bouquet of lavender on one side and the names of the women who owned the brooch on the other. Kristi … [Read more...]

Last Day: Massive Giveaway

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Hello, all! Today is the last day to enter a massive giveaway that a bunch of us here on Inspired by Life and Fiction are a part of. Listen along as some of your favorite authors share special Christmas memories or holiday inspiration! Plus have a chance to win these 12 book=s and a $150 Amazon card!  WIN A BOOK—you have 12 chances! (US addresses only) 1. Listen to author’s FB Live video on … [Read more...]

Lucky #13…

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Recently, I celebrated the release of The Bride of Ivy Green, my 13th novel, and the conclusion of my first series. Here are a few highlights from the Book Release Party: Writing a series was a new challenge for me, and it's an accomplishment I feel good about. But I didn't do it alone. I enjoyed having the opportunity to publicly thank several people who helped me along the way, like my … [Read more...]

The Book You’ve Been Waiting For! (And a Giveaway!)

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This week I’m celebrating the release of Searching For You, the final installment of my orphan train series. As always, watching a book finally make its way into reader hands is pure delight, especially when readers have been eagerly waiting for the book! Reviews are rolling in, and I’m happy to report readers are very satisfied with the conclusion of the series! One reader said: “A … [Read more...]

Ornaments Galore

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At our house, Christmas ornaments aren't a coordinated masterpiece of elegant design. They are a hodgepodge of memories hanging on a tree - and I love them! From the ugly Old King Cole plastic ornament that belonged to my husband when he was a kid that I always manage to hide in the back of the tree, to the baby picture ornaments from first Christmases, to the ones brought home from school, to the … [Read more...]

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