Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Apple Pie and Other Treasures

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It was supposed to be a fun excursion to do research for my next book, but icy rain poured from the winter sky as our friends, Paul and Jacki, drove my husband and me through the Michigan countryside. Paul is a lifelong resident of Western Michigan and knows just about every back road and fun, out-of-the-way place on the map—and a few places that aren’t on the map. “I want to show you something,” … [Read more...]

Why I Love Writing YA (And a giveaway!)

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Today I’m celebrating the release of a new book! While officially the book doesn’t hit shelves until next Tuesday (March 7), I decided today was close enough to start partying and have a giveaway! FOR LOVE & HONOR is the third and final book in my Young Adult series set during medieval times and centering around knights, castles, and daring damsels. For those who haven’t yet read An … [Read more...]

Sing Me a Song, Cowboy

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There are few things that get my heart to pitter-pattering more than a deep-voiced cowboy. Sam Elliott, anyone? That man's voice epitomizes the rugged west for me. Every time I hear his commercials, I want to get up and buy a Dodge Ram. And I don't even like pickup trucks! But even better than the rasp of Sam Elliot is a deep singing voice. That's probably why I married my very own bass-singin' … [Read more...]

What will you give up during Lent?

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Hello. It's the first day of March and it's Ash Wednesday.  This is a very important day to Christians, of course, because it's the first day of Lent. We have forty days (excluding Sundays) of "giving up" to represent how Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert where he overcame temptations from Satan.  The ashes come from the burning of palm branches that were used on the previous Palm … [Read more...]

A Secret Society…and a Giveaway

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If you have read my latest book, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, you may recognize the ladies in these photos. Well, not “recognize them” exactly, but their names will sound familiar to you.   In the book, the village of Ivy Hill has a “secret society” of women who get together to help and support each other as women managing businesses of various kinds. I named them The Ladies Tea … [Read more...]

A little tour of where it all happens…and a giveaway

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Since my office just got a good cleaning after my deadline, I thought it would be fun to take you on a little pictorial tour of the place where I write and do much of the other work my job as a novelist requires. Some people are surprised to learn that more than half of my working hours are spent doing things besides actually writing. My office is full of things that inspire me, and … [Read more...]

Victoria (and a giveaway!)

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I'm a huge fan of BBC productions!  In fact, Nora, the heroine of my upcoming book True to You, has a passion for British movies and mini series and television shows that was inspired by my own enthusiasm for the same. After completing Downton Abbey and season #1 of The Crown, I've been indulging my BBC love with Netflix episodes of Call the Midwife.  But then I heard that PBS was airing a … [Read more...]

Writing as Worship

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Yesterday a friend emailed me a beautiful prayer she has for her writing. It resonated so strongly that I made the graphic and printed it off. Have you ever thought of that book you're reading from a favorite author as part of that author's worship to God? I often tell people that much like Eric Liddell felt God's smile when he ran, I feel God's smile when I write. [Tweet "Is writing one form of … [Read more...]

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