Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

How do I love thee, Olympics? Let me count the ways.

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I'm an Olmypics-aholic. Every few years, when the Olympics roll around, my enthusiasm for the games inevitably outpaces my husband's.  He'll pad off, shaking his head, searching for a saner room of the house to retreat to while I attempt to watch every hour of evening Olympic coverage plus as much as I can squeeze in on the weekends and via the Today Show in the mornings. My first Olympic … [Read more...]

Escape to Italy

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This summer our family had the adventure of a lifetime. We got to explore Italy for a month while I taught in a study abroad program. It was an absolute delight and dream come true. I realized I hadn't shared many photos with y'all yet, so here goes. We lived in Siena for a month with day trips to Florence and Pisa. We also spent three days in Rome. It was a whirlwind, but a dream come true … [Read more...]

Robin is Going Back to School – Part 5

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It's almost here! I go back to school the week of August 22nd. The deadline for finishing the revisions of my next book, You'll Think of Me, is the 19th, so good timing on that! Anyway, regular readers of this blog may be sick of my semi-annual "back to college" posts. You'll all be glad when I graduate. Right? And when will that be? you ask. Lots longer than I would wish because my writing … [Read more...]

Dressing Like Jane Austen

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Some of you may remember that last year I attended the Jane Austen Society of North America’s AGM (national conference) in Louisville, where I had the chance to dress up in this beautiful, modified court dress made by our niece, Jennifer S. Klassen. This year, Lord willing, my husband and I will attend the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England. In preparation, I am having a spencer jacket … [Read more...]

Why I truly with-all-my-heart adore audiobooks (plus a giveaway!)

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If you haven’t guessed by now, I LOVE audiobooks. I’ve talked about them before, and I just can’t help talking about them again today (and giving some away!). Audiobooks have been a lifesaver for me. And in recent years, Audible in particular has been my go-to. Why are audiobooks a lifesaver? I love reading and I love books. But because of the busy nature of my life, I rarely have time to sit … [Read more...]

My First Chick is Leaving the Nest

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It's a mother's duty - train up a child in the way she should go so she can one day soar through life on her own. And while I can't wait to see what joys and triumphs the future holds for my first little chick, my heart is aching at the thought of letting her go. Next Friday, my oldest child, my only daughter, will leave home and move into her freshman dorm room at Abilene Christian University. … [Read more...]

Summer is just about over and it’s back to work!

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I know a place where summer strives With such a practiced frost, She each year leads her daises back, Recording briefly, "Lost." Emily Dickinson Summer is almost over. Hard to believe school is starting back. I realized this in the Wal-Mart rush on Sunday afternoon. I no longer have to shop for pocket-folders or ruled paper or spiral notebooks but I was mighty tempted the other day to buy a … [Read more...]

A few of my favorite low carb things

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I am LOVING this newly adapted low carb lifestyle! I'd been considering cutting back on carbs for a while—which represents a huge decision for this Carb Queen. But the timing never seemed quite right. Then about six weeks ago, I was sitting at my desk writing. It was late, around 1:30AM or so (my best writing hours are after midnight, go figure). And I felt a nudge to really start eating … [Read more...]

Time to Redecorate

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One of my favorite hobbies is interior decorating. I’m an avid fan of magazines and TV programs that transform a rundown house or a piece of outdated furniture into something beautiful. I love scouting thrift stores and yard sales for bargain items that I can repurpose, just like my favorite interior designer Joanna Gaines from HGTV’s “Fixer Upper.” As anyone who has visited my home knows, I enjoy … [Read more...]

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