Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

What Exactly is an ARC? (Plus a Giveaway!)

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The third book in my young adult series releases in about 6 weeks (March 7). FOR LOVE AND HONOR. It’s a standalone novel, meaning you can enjoy it without having previously read the other books in the series. This book is set in medieval times and is about a noble knight returning home to protect his family from an imminent attack by neighboring lords who seek repayment of debts. Without … [Read more...]

10 Things You Might Not Know About Me

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I live next door to my in-laws . . . and LOVE it! From built-in day care for the kids when they were smaller to easy family meals together, to shared grills and shared newspaper subscriptions, having my husband's family move in next door a decade ago was an unexpected blessing. I once lost the diamond out of my wedding ring only to find it a week later (after searching everywhere at home and at … [Read more...]

The Rules of Civility

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I just finished reading the book "The Rules of Civility" by Amor Towles. One of my publisher's marketing associates had mentioned the book to me when several of us were at dinner one night at a conference. I wrote it down and ordered the book, but saved it for a time when I could read without too many interruptions. That time came this past Christmas when it rained for over a week. I curled up … [Read more...]

The End

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Typing “The End” at the end of a manuscript is one of my most satisfying moments as a writer. It comes after months of sitting at my desk and writing page after page of words. A few days ago, I typed “The End” after completing my latest novel, 461 pages and 141,042 words long. It felt wonderful! By the time you read this, I will have given the novel a final edit from start to finish and sent it … [Read more...]

The INSPY Awards

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I realize that most readers probably don't have much familiarity with book awards.  What the different awards are.  How winners are selected.  Who judges.  What the categories are.  It can all be fairly mystifying to a layperson. We authors know quite a bit about book awards and here's why.  We all write solo, many of us in our homes.... or even in isolated caves rooms within our homes.  We're … [Read more...]

What’s Your Dream for 2017?

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Happy 2017, y'all! Wait, you're thinking today's the 12th of January, and I'm more than a wee bit slow in sending New Year's greetings your way. Not really. This is simply my first chance to post here this year. As I've been thinking about what I want to write about, my mind's flitted a million directions. That might be because my next book is due to my publisher on Tuesday morning. Gulp! … [Read more...]

The Worst Winter in Decades Here in SW Idaho

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We don't normally get a lot of cold and snow in the Treasure Valley where I live. Idaho's snow usually keeps to the mountains and the eastern side of the state. But we have had a cold, snowy, and dangerous winter, beginning before Christmas. Now we've got flooding and homes everywhere with roof damage (including my daughter who is mopping up and repairing today). Schools were closed three days … [Read more...]

2017…The year I take a stand

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A lot of people have been posting their “word of the year” online, or asking people to finish the phrase: This is the year I___________.  The first phrase that came to my mind was not very profound or spiritual, I’m afraid. It was: “2017…The year I get off my can.” But that didn’t sound very ladylike, so next I came up with, “The year I take a stand.” A stand up desk, that is…  Because I sit … [Read more...]

A Fresh, New Year

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For the past few years, New Years has become a bigger celebration in our family than Christmas. Because of all the teachers in our family, and the fact that our kids all live far from home, it makes more sense for us to get together and celebrate Christmas, Ken's birthday (Dec. 30), and New Years during the week between Christmas and New Years. We did that this past week and it was every … [Read more...]

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