Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Sneak Peek…

By

I love previews of coming attractions and sneak peeks, don’t you? Even though the release of my next novel is months away (September of 2015), I just have to share a peek at the fabulous new cover with you. On This Foundation will be the final book in my biblical fiction trilogy “The Restoration Chronicles,” in which I tried to bring to life the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The series … [Read more...]

Meet Jill (…and a giveaway!)

By

I'm so pleased to introduce my friend, Jill Lynn, to you!  She lives in Colorado, is a mom of two, and recently published her debut novel with Harlequin Love Inspired.  I invited her to share the story of the moment when she received what authors refer to as, "The Call".  The call is that joyous, long-awaited, long-hoped for phone call during which an aspiring author is told that she's finally … [Read more...]

What Next, Lord?

By

Do you ever find yourself wondering what God has next? Yeah, I know. You're probably thinking, "Duh. Happens all the time, Putman." That's what I'm thinking as I sit here in Starbucks preparing this post. This is not the first time that I've neared the end of a phase of life and wonder what's next? Where does He want me to go first? Right now it's reevaluating whether I'm supposed to make … [Read more...]

March All Night

By

  Have you ever had God smack you between the eyes as you are reading? I have, and the most recent occasion was while I was reading Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick. In case you aren't sure where you have heard that title before, it was in a prayer of Joshua, that God would make the sun stand still in the sky so the Israelites could win the battle they were fighting. My word for … [Read more...]

Friends for the Journey

By

Last night I attended the monthly meeting of my local writers group (ACFW-Minnesota). Everyone shared what they were working on or celebrating, we discussed plotting, and then we hung out and talked for an hour after the official meeting ended. It’s so satisfying to spend time with people who “get” you!   Then today, I stumbled across something I’d somehow missed before. I … [Read more...]

The Hundred-Foot Journey

By

I'd much rather read than watch a movie, but Ken and I watched a DVD Saturday night that I absolutely loved! I've since learned that The Hundred-Foot Journey was based on a novel of the same title, so I quickly added the book to my mile-high TBR list. Here's how much I loved this movie: I also immediately ordered the DVD, and downloaded the soundtrack, which I've been listening to constantly … [Read more...]

The Plot Thickens|Maureen Lang

By

Each Sunday "Inspired by Life...and Fiction" shares a Christian novelist's newest book and the garden spots where they find inspiration. Maureen Lang wrote her first novel longhand as a child, and passed it around the neighborhood to rave reviews. It was so much fun she's been writing ever since! Maureen is the author of many novels, including Pieces of Silver — a 2007 Christy Award … [Read more...]

Is Chivalry on the Brink of Extinction?

By

With the recent release of Fifty Shades of Grey movie and its popularity, I can't help but wonder about the long term consequences that such ideology will have on how people view relationships. Already, too many couples struggle to maintain happy, healthy relationships. In fact, it's become almost a monthly occurrence to get news of another friend or acquaintance who's dealing with a spouse … [Read more...]

Television Inspiration

By

I'm a sucker for a good BBC period drama, and my new favorite is one some of you might already be familiar with - Lark Rise to Candleford. It's a wonderful series in its simplicity at capturing everyday English life in the late 1800's and comparing the lives of the people who dwell in the poorer hamlet of Lark Rise to those of the more prosperous Candleford. This is done through the story of the … [Read more...]

Indiana Jones + Indiana Josephine: When Love Becomes an Adventure

By

  Last week John and I celebrated our 25th Anniversary. I knew when I married John that life would be an adventure, and it has been, but when I let him plan our anniversary I had no idea what I was getting into ... This is John and I on the second longest zip line in Central America. 1900 ft long with a 300 ft drop. (It was one of 10 zip lines we went on that day, and it was actually a … [Read more...]

Recent Posts