Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

My Five Star Reads in 2018 (So Far)

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I love to track the books I read using Goodreads. Because of deadlines and college work, I reduced the number of books I planned to read this year. Nonetheless, I've already enjoyed several Five Star reads in the first half of 2018 and thought I would share them with you. Please note: I am usually way behind in my reading. Although I buy a lot of books when they are first released, it is often … [Read more...]

Want to go to England next year?

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As I write this, our second group-tour of England is one year away (Lord willing, as I always feel compelled to say when planning anything so far out). We had such a great time with our first group, that we've decided to offer another trip next summer. And since our own Becky Wade was just in England, the timing seemed right to post this. The trip dates are June 11-20, 2019. How much fun … [Read more...]

Dear editor…

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I wrote a letter to the editor yesterday. And then declared to my husband that I was never going to read a newspaper again! Of course, I didn't really mean it, but getting all riled up over something I read is certainly not my choice of how to spend a Sunday morning before church. I was minding my own business watching the sun come up, enjoying a cup of coffee, and reading our local newspaper … [Read more...]

Reader Quirks

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Back in April, I wrote a post celebrating writer quirks.  A few of you responded in the comments with your reader quirks, which inspired me to dedicate an entire blog post to the wonderful world of reader quirks.  On my Facebook author page, I invited readers to share their quirks and was blown away by the fantastic responses. Thanks, everyone!  I've quoted many of you below.   Many … [Read more...]

It’s Release Week!!!

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It's finally here! More Than Meets the Eye released on Tuesday. I always find the release of a new book exciting and slightly terrifying. What will readers think? Will they love it, or will it be a disappointment? This one was especially nerve-wracking since it is the first in a new series. More Than Meets the Eye is filled with secrets, flawed characters fighting for a fresh start, a hero bent … [Read more...]

Suggestions for Portland, Oregon trip?

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For the past several years, my husband has traveled extensively for work. Once the kids were all in college, I began to go with him more often, usually when the trips entailed more than a couple nights and/or were to places interesting to me. But I confess, I’m a reluctant traveler. It’s not that I don’t enjoy experiencing new places, it’s the actual traveling part i don’t like. (Planes, trains … [Read more...]

Hint! Hint!

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Greetings from Europe! I have now finished my book tour in the Netherlands and I’m off to speak and sign books in Germany tomorrow. If you’ve been following along with me on Facebook and Instagram, I hope you’ve enjoyed the pictures I’ve sent of all the wonderful places I’ve been and the people I’ve met. Here are just a few: A parking lot by the bookstore I'm visiting. Look at all those … [Read more...]

Should authors write from the heart or write what pleases readers?

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Recently one of my daughters asked: Which do you like to do better, read romances or write them? Of course, she knows I’m an avid reader. I’m always buying new books and usually have multiple books going at one time. I’ve always loved reading, long before I was a published author. And of course she also knows I’m a prolific writer—that I always have one project or another I’m working on. … [Read more...]

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