Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

What Readers Love Most About Romance Novels (& a Giveaway)

By

I recently asked this question on social media . . . . What do you love most about reading romance novels? The responses were numerous and fascinating! They fell into clear categories so [imagine me channeling the voice of a Family Feud host,] "The top six answers are on the board!" Happily Ever Afters "I love reading about people finding love and making their way to a happily ever … [Read more...]

If the Boot Fits – Coming Soon!

By

Book 2 in my Texas Ever After series releases in just 5 days! I'm so excited to share this story with you. Reimagining the Cinderella fairy tale in an 1800's Texas setting has been so much fun. I was inspired by the classic line from Woody in Toy Story 2 – If the boot fits. What could be a more perfect premise for a western Cinderella, than to replace the glass slipper with a cowboy boot? That … [Read more...]

Books I want to re-read

By

While cataloging and arranging my home library recently, I ran across several books I haven’t read in a long while. Of course, that’s the majority of them, right? But a few I marked as ones I want to re-read.  But first, why re-read? Because yes, I have sooooo many books waiting to be read for the first time! 1, I re-read for the sake of nostalgia. This happens when I rediscover a book that … [Read more...]

Favorite Food Websites—Do You Have One?

By

I love to cook, and especially loved to bake. Life has been a blur lately, so I haven't gotten to do much of either, but that doesn't stop me from browsing sites for new recipes and ways to improve my cooking skills. Here are some of my favorites . . . KATHLEEN ASHMORE Kathleen has lots of GF recipes and generally healthier—and delicious—fare. Plus I love how her recipe videos are … [Read more...]

So many books, so little time

By

When I turned fifty, I realized--with a start--that I would not live forever. That I probably had more time "behind" me than in front of me. I began to look at the books I write in a new way--considering that I have a limited amount of time in which to write, the books I choose to write should matter. REALLY matter. Of course, the Spirit can and does use anything, but I asked Him to guide me so … [Read more...]

Book Club Reads

By

Do you belong to a book club? I’ve found that a book club expands my reading a lot simply because I’m not always reading my own choice. I'm not always reaching for my favorite genres or authors. Years ago (circa 2007-2008) I participated in a book club. I don’t remember for how long the club lasted or how many books we read. But I do remember two of the selections: The Kite Runner by Khaled … [Read more...]

How I Write With Chronic Illness

By

Writing my latest release, One Wrong Move was so much fun, yet it wasn’t easy. I have Lupus, and while it’s under treatment and doing well in a lot of areas for which I’m very thankful, chronic pain comes with it. And motor skills are not what they should be. I have trouble with my hands in particular. Both of which make writing interesting.  Long hours of sitting and either typing or writing … [Read more...]

The Royal Visit

By

When I learned that the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their baby daughter, (Princess Alexandrina Victoria, the future Queen Victoria) visited Sidmouth—the town where my ON DEVONSHIRE SHORES series is set and in the same year I set the first book, I knew I wanted to include them in Book Two, A Winter by the Sea. The royal couple and their entourage rented Woolbrook Cottage (on the same lane … [Read more...]

Well, We Did It!

By

Well, we did it! It was a L-O-N-G journey figuring out what should come next after we sold our Chinook camper last summer, and as often seems to happen in our marriage, I went kicking and screaming all the way. But we flew to Florida two weeks ago and just like that, we have an RV again! (Is anybody surprised? ) I took a cold shower the first morning because we couldn't figure out the hot … [Read more...]

Recent Posts