Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

And How Do I Really Feel About Deadlines?

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Let's just say that deadlines keep me writing, but I also think they might kill me before I reach the end. My work in progress (an April 2017 release) is due to my editor in a couple of days and I've got lots of writing left to do. So you know what that means. It means you are getting a very quick, very short post, focusing on a couple of my books I want you to know about. If you loved … [Read more...]

British Blooms and Books Giveaway!

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  Hello, gentle reader, and welcome to the first annual British Blooms and Books giveaway! This week, we’d like to celebrate the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show with you. After enjoying this post, please visit each of the other five authors’ blogs (links provided below) and, after a bit of reading fun, follow one simple instruction and then leave a comment on each, to … [Read more...]

Lessons from a Family of Robins

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We've had the uncommon privilege of watching a pair of robins build their home and start a family. I'm ashamed to say that I was annoyed to see the twigs and straw appear in the hanging pot I'd so carefully planted with caladiums and begonias on our front porch. But remembering a nest of mourning doves we'd watched in the same planter the first summer we lived here, I relented and let the nest … [Read more...]

How Far Will You Read Before Giving Up on a Book?

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One of my twin daughters got a new book in the mail and squealed with excitement as she opened it. Sadly, once she started reading the new squeal-worthy book, it fell into the book graveyard. It had a gorgeous, captivating cover. A catchy title. An interesting blurb. And it promised to be a fun, light read. So why did it die and get buried? After she read the first chapter, I asked her … [Read more...]

The Husband Maneuver

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Earlier this month, my Dead-Eye Dan novella, The Husband Maneuver, released as an e-single. I've written four novellas to date (one yet to be released), and I think Dan and Marietta's story is my favorite. I just had far too much fun writing the dime novel scenes. For those of you who might not have read A Worthy Pursuit, the novel that introduced Dan and Marietta as secondary characters, … [Read more...]

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

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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

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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

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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...]

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