Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Banoffee Pie: A Slice of British Life

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I am racing to finish revisions on my next novel set in England, and so my mind naturally goes to...dessert.   Banoffee pie is a popular dessert in Great Britain. The first time my husband and I had it was not in the UK, however, but in Minnesota, when we were invited to dinner at Jeff and Susan’s house. Jeff is from England, and Susan had kindly learned to make the pie for him—and … [Read more...]

What are You Passionate About? (an anniversary post)

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This week I am celebrating two years as a blogger here on Inspired by Life...and Fiction. It has been such a wonderful experience to get to interact with our wonderful readers, and I am so honored to be a part of this group of amazing author friends. I could never blog every day (how do people DO that??) But being part of this group gives me a chance to share my heart (and a few more frivolous … [Read more...]

Tea Traditions (and a giveaway)!

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It's a treat for me to welcome my friend Jill Kemerer back to Inspired by Life and Fiction!  When Jill visited last time, I mentioned that she wrote 12 novels before finally receiving her first publishing contract.  This month, her third novel releases!  Jill has released THREE NOVELS in one year.  Praise to the One who is, "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine."  Ephesians … [Read more...]

Hands that Shaped the Face of Texas History

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The new series I'm working on centers around a fictional women's colony in Texas. My banker heroine, Emma Shaw, was raised by suffragette aunts to believe that women could accomplish anything men could as long as they worked together. She believed this truth in theory, but grew discouraged when few people saw fit to let the equality play out in real life. So created her own haven of independence. … [Read more...]

To Francke, with Love

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I recently received copies of the German edition of To Win Her Favor (roughly translated Who is Struggling to Love) from Francke, my wonderful German publisher, and seeing this book brought back so many great memories of the trip Lynn Austin, Elizabeth Musser, my daughter Kelsey, and I took to Germany in June 2014. Here are a few glimpses:     I promise you, … [Read more...]

Underwater Explorers

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Last Saturday I attended a wonderful program by the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association—a group of divers who search for sunken ships in the Great Lakes. I attended their presentation last year and it inspired me to include a shipwreck in my upcoming novel. This is exciting stuff! These shipwreck experts start their adventures the same way I start a novel—by doing research. They comb … [Read more...]

Chicory Inn Novels series + a giveaway!

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I'm rejoicing because on Friday, I turned in my manuscript for the final Chicory Inn Novel, Home at Last! I also got to see the final cover for the series, and I'm so pleased! I've really liked the covers from the beginning, but seeing the progression from day to night with the covers all lined up, it feels just short of brilliant to me. :)   The final book feels aptly titled: HOME AT … [Read more...]

Author Confession: A Strange Reading Quirk

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A popular question I’m asked in interviews and when I go to speaking engagement is: What do you like to read? (Or who are your favorite authors?) As a matter of fact, I recently had the chance to meet with a book group who’d chosen to read my Luther and Katharina book (waves at all the lovely ladies!), and they asked me that very question. “As a historical writer, do you read a lot of other … [Read more...]

From Steeple to Steeple, guest blog & *giveaway* by Carrie Fancett Pagels

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Thank you, gals of Inspired by Life and Fiction, for allowing me to guest post about my recent release, The Steeplechase, which is part of Forget Me Not Romances “Love’s Sporting Chance” collection! Living in a large catchment area referred to as Hampton Roads, Virginia, and sometimes Tidewater Virginia, I’m surrounded by history. In fact Yorktown (where I live), Williamsburg, and Jamestown … [Read more...]

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