Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

The Sign of a Dream Come True

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I’ve said it before, but I love libraries of all sorts. Not only because I am a book lover, but because one of the ways I supported myself during my college years was by working in the university library. I still vividly remember pushing my shelving cart through all those aisles of books, thinking, If only I could have a book I’ve written in a library someday! Well, God is good and that dream has … [Read more...]

A Writer’s Prayer

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A few years ago—more than fifteen years ago, to be exact—for the first time since I’d begun writing in 1994, my job as a novelist was beginning to be more than a part-time pursuit. I had several contracts to fulfill, and my calendar was filling up with speaking engagements. Our oldest son had his degree, but our middle son and daughter were in college in Missouri and Iowa, and our youngest … [Read more...]

2017 Christy Awards

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When His Highness and I learned that Her One and Only had been nominated for a Christy Award, an Autumn trip to Nashville suddenly sounded to us like a great respite from our mom and dad duties getaway.     Several of us then changed into fancy dresses in a public restroom, chatting while we fixed our hair and make-up.  Conversations while applying make-up are, as a … [Read more...]

Canteen Dreams Excitement

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Every book baby is exciting for an author but there's something special about that first one. The one that first made it's way into the world and proved I had a story worth telling. Canteen Dreams was my first. It one the Carol Award for Short Historical, which was really fun. But what makes the story so special to me is it married my love for World War II history with my love for my hometown … [Read more...]

insanity is in their hearts

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It's An Insane World We Live In The hearts of the sons of men are full of evil, and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. (Eccl. 9:3) Last Sunday brought another mass shooting, this time in a small church in a tiny town in Texas. I heard on the news that the death toll equaled 7% of the population of the town. Our hearts cry, How can someone do that, Lord? But we know how. We know … [Read more...]

And the winner is . . .

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In Nashville tomorrow evening, November 8, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is hosting the 2017 Christy Awards at David Lipscomb University where the 2017 winners of The Christy Awards will be announced. And what makes the event extra special this year is that we're also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the renown novel Christy by Catherine Marshall (pictured right). Is … [Read more...]

Hidden Treasures

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Last month my husband and I finally went on our long-planned summer vacation to northern Michigan. We were supposed to go last June but it had to be postponed due to a family medical emergency. Our good friends Jacki and Paul organized the entire trip and took us to some of their favorite places, with quaint towns, beautiful forests, and pristine lakes and beaches. Here are just a few of the … [Read more...]

Cover Reveal

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Not long ago, Becky Wade revealed her wonderful new cover here on this blog. And since Becky and I have books releasing about the same time next year, I thought it would be fun to follow in her footsteps. This cover design takes me in a slightly different direction than most of my previous covers. My covers have been known for creating a scene, as if someone had taken a snapshot from a page in … [Read more...]

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