Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

The Plot Thickens|Cindy Woodsmall

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Each Sunday "Inspired by Life...and Fiction" shares a Christian novelist's newest book and the garden spots where they find inspiration. Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author of the Sisters of the Quilt series, The Hope of Refuge, The Amish of Summer Grove series, and many more. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life … [Read more...]

The Difference Between a Book Reviewer and an Influencer

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One of the major ways I prepare for every book's release is by forming a Launch Team made up of Influencers. In the publishing world, Influencer is often used to refer to a reader who signs up to help in the promotion of a book in exchange for a free copy of that book. An Influencer doesn't just agree to write a review of the book. Although reviews are a big part of influencing, Influencers do … [Read more...]

Welcome Guest – Regina Jennings!!

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Karen here: I'm out of the country this week (more on that to come in a future post), so I invited the lovely and talented Regina Jennings to fill in for me today. Regina and I roomed together this summer at the RT Reader Convention in Dallas, and we had a blast. She even got me to do a little two-steppin' at one of the western romance sessions. Only for you, Regina! No Other Place on … [Read more...]

Why do we love Christmas movies so much?

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Sometimes having a lot of cable channels on my television sure comes in handy. Usually, TV can be a big distraction. But this time of the year, television becomes a blessed part of my life. That's because the holiday season begins and several popular cable channels play Christmas movies 24/7.  And I do mean all day and night long! This is a special time of the year so it's fun to celebrate with … [Read more...]

When it’s all about the food, y’all

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When Mom passed away in 2009, my sweet sister-in-law, Jackie, and I divided her cookbooks between us, and I even shared some with Mom's friends. Mom had a ton of cookbooks! Which was only fitting. June Gattis loved to cook. Me and mom on my wedding day December 15, 1984 While I enjoy cooking, I really love to bake. That's my passion. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I've been … [Read more...]

Thanksgiving Hospitality

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It’s a tradition in our family to invite people who are alone on Thanksgiving to our family feast. The origins of our hospitality go back to when Ken and I were first married... Ken was a graduate student and we lived in Connecticut at the time. After classes on Wednesday afternoon we packed the car and set off for my grandmother’s house in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. The rest of my … [Read more...]

The Plot Thickens|Lisa Wingate

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Each Sunday "Inspired by Life...and Fiction" shares a Christian novelist's newest book and the garden spots where they find inspiration. Lisa Wingate is a journalist, inspirational speaker, and the author of twenty-five novels. She is a seven-time ACFW Carol Award nominee, a multiple Christy Award nominee, A Christy Award Winner, a two-time Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RT Booklovers … [Read more...]

The Short But Sweet Novella

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The "novella" is an interesting literary type, isn't it?  I became fascinated with novellas last year, when I was preparing to try my hand at writing one.  In time, that effort became Love in the Details (which just released).  Yippee! Even though novellas have a long history -- they were first written in Europe around 1350 during the Renaissance -- I'm guessing that most of us are much more … [Read more...]

Thanks to the Veterans

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According to the Office of Public Affairs, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day in November 1919 with the following words: To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed … [Read more...]

Giveaway: Becky’s Dream Fall Wedding (11/10 – 11/20)

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Love is in the air! To celebrate the release of my e-novella, Love in the Details, I'm offering a wonderful Dream Fall Wedding Giveaway which you can enter via the Rafflecopter form below. The good news is that you don’t need to be on social media to enter to win the grand prize package.  There are several ways to enter.  However, if you do happen to be a Pinterest user, please take special … [Read more...]

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