Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Be still and Know–Even when you’re on deadline

By

Hello. It's Hump Day. Since I'm on a tight deadline and I need the words to pour through me in record time, I'll let my pictures do the talking. Prayer on that deadline need would be greatly appreciated. But even with a deadline looming, I have to take my own advice. I need to be still and know God will see me through. In the meantime, I thought I'd share some recent pictures I've taken in some of … [Read more...]

Sad Goodbyes, Sweet Hellos, & Puppy Kisses

By

About a month ago, I shared about losing Jack, our sweet little Silky Terrier. I still miss him every day, especially when I’m in my office. There are moments, even now, when I’m deep into writing that I’ll hear him breathing, and I look over to the ottoman to see him and realize—all over again—that he’s not here anymore. To say he was well loved is an understatement. And to say he loved us … [Read more...]

New Friends

By

Writing can be a lonely job, sitting at my computer all day with only my imaginary characters to talk to. That’s why I love getting out every once in a while and meeting some of my readers face-to-face. And I had a chance to do that last week. The first event was with a group of wonderful ladies at the Grandville United Methodist Church in Grandville, Michigan. I spoke about all the changes that … [Read more...]

Cover Model Interview

By

If you happened to see my last blog post about the making of Her One and Only's cover, then you know that the couple on the cover are a real life husband and wife. Their names are Aaron and Melissa and they very kindly allowed me to interview them!  Thank you so much, Aaron and Melissa.  I'm honored to have the two of you on my novel's cover.  It was a treat to get to know you via these … [Read more...]

Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places

By

Last weekend I went out to our patio and found a fun surprise sprouting and blooming in the very narrow sand lines between the bricks. Interspersed intermittently all along the bricks were these tiny, tenacious pansies. I'm not really sure where they came from, but as I pulled the weeds last night, I left these little beauties. Part of me wanted to know as I absorbed their beauty what had given … [Read more...]

Embrace Life

By

Yesterday was my birthday. One of those major milestone birthdays. Not sweet sixteen. A little older than twenty-one. Beyond the Big 4-0. You figure it out. As I stared in the mirror Tuesday morning, I wondered how it was that my mom was so old at this same age while I am so young. I wish she were alive so we could laugh about that together. But I imagine she's going to look at me when I … [Read more...]

New Series, New Setting

By

I recently turned in revisions for my next book, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill (December 2016)—Book One in my first ever series! (The rest of my 10 books are stand alone.) The series focuses on four women friends in an English village who face changes and challenges with the help of their quirky neighbors and intriguing newcomers.   In the first book, a young widow  has to decide between … [Read more...]

♫ Happy birthday, dear Tobi ♫

By

Since my day to blog falls on my eldest daughter's birthday, I can't resist taking this opportunity to wish her happy birthday in a very public way. First, let's get this photo out of the way... (I'm going to be in SO much trouble! Teehee!)           I never thought I'd be a mom of girls. I grew up as the oldest of five, with only one brother. But … [Read more...]

Monthly Archives

Blog Categories

Recent Posts

Disclosure

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the pages on this site may be "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, someone will receive an affiliate commission. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."