Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

It All Started with a Headline

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People often ask me where my book ideas come from. As a lawyer I kind of smile, because the answer is it depends. For Canteen Dreams, it was my grandparents love story and the way my hometown of North Platte, Nebraska, got involved to support the boys. For Sandhill Dreams and Captive Dreams, I knew I needed two more books that were set in Nebraska during World War II, so I went looking for … [Read more...]

Fact and Fiction, Part 3

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And the story continues (see Part 1 and Part 2) The Horse Connection My mom told me my first word was "horse" rather than "mama." That, I believe, was a fabrication - I don't personally remember - but I was horse-crazy from a very young age. I saved up and bought my first horse when I was 15. Marriage and motherhood caused me to sell my horses when there just wasn't a spare moment to … [Read more...]

How Research Changes You…and a Blog Party | Guest Post by Elizabeth Musser

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Hey friends! We have a treat today! A wonderful guest post from Elizabeth Musser whose new book, The Long Highway Home, releases today! In addition, Elizabeth's hosting a fabulous celebration blog party TODAY (link to that below) that I'm betting you'll want to attend. Thanks, Elizabeth, for filling in while I'm away this week in London and Dublin! Lynn Austin, me, and Elizabeth Musser on our … [Read 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...]

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