Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Writing Caves

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Hi friends,  Always happy to be with you! I hope you’ve had a wonderful two weeks. My last two weeks have been extremely busy. My latest novel, The Killing Tide, released. It was my tenth full-length novel and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m loving the feedback—reviews and most especially, sweet reader’s emails—letting me know how much they are enjoying getting to know a new team of … [Read more...]

Fiction Readers Summit

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I thoroughly enjoyed participating in FRS 2019, a gathering of fiction readers and 14 Christian Fiction authors held in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the fabulous Baker Book House. I met so many wonderful people. And what I especially loved was how interactive the event was. Instead of authors giving formal speeches, there was time to interact, both informally and in panels where readers could … [Read more...]

So Many Changes . . .

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For the past two months, we have been in the process of selling our home in Kansas, buying a home in Southeast Missouri, packing up to move, and making all the changes moving requires. It's been hard, hard work, and I'm not sure I could do it all over again if my life depended on it! But oh, the rewards. Yes, I miss my dad and my sisters and brother. I miss my mother-in-law and other dear … [Read more...]

My Week as a Beach Bum (and a giveaway!)

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I spent the last week of July very happily marooned on the Caribbean island of Anguilla with my family. I have photos to share! This blog post is full of oceanside photos and, before I go, I'm excited to tell you about a giveaway with an ocean tie-in. :) Over on my web site, my sweet friend and fellow IBL blogger Dani Pettrey is giving away a set of bookends and three of … [Read more...]

Help Needed? Yes, Please.

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A writer wears so many hats. Author. Marketer. Another job -- Maybe. Family. Friend. And so much more. One of the things I've really been thinking about this last few weeks is how to more effectively connect with readers. I read. A lot. I write. A lot. And I love to discuss books. All of us here do. That's why we're here :-) I'm also really curious. I'm always reading books on all kinds of … [Read more...]

Summer Reading

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Can you believe it’s already August? Although I don’t technically have kids going back to school, I do have two who still live by the school calendar—one as a teacher, the other as a grad student. Still, August seems to mark the end of long summer days, even if they haven’t been lazy ones. And while the situation of having a book in my hand doesn’t change from season to season, it is sometimes fun … [Read more...]

First Line Frenzy—& GiveawayS!

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I love reading first lines of novels. One of my favorite pastimes is pulling books off the shelf (or opening samples downloaded to my Kindle) and reading first lines of novels to see which ones pull me in the most. A phenomenal first line doesn't automatically guarantee a great read, of course. But it does mean the author has given thought as to how to capture—and keep—your interest! So … [Read more...]

Companions for the Journey

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I’ve been going through photographs from my bicycle trip through Europe last June, and before the memories fade, I want to share some lessons I learned along the way. My bike tour, like the Body of Christ, relied on three very important people—the Guide, the Corner, and the Sweep. The Guide, of course, is Jesus.  He knows the way and all of the challenges we’ll face. He has traveled this way … [Read more...]

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