Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Is it fall, y’all?

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My husband loves Fall. Mainly because the air turns crisp and fresh and football is just around the corner. He's not big sports fan but he does love his Atlanta Falcons and University of Georgia games. He also likes not sweating as much. I fell in love with him in the fall. Even though we'd known each other most of our lives, he was an Army brat so he moved and came home to Georgia a couple of … [Read more...]

“Southern Fried” things I collect

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I collect kitchen towels. I don't remember when it started really, only that I began picking them up here and there—and now I can't stop. I think it started because I realized I had way too much stuff sitting on tables and shelves, so when I went somewhere I didn't want to bring home something else "pretty" that would just take up space. I wanted something practical. So...kitchen … [Read more...]

Why Fictional Heroes Wouldn’t Make Good Real Life Husbands

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The last time I blogged I addressed the topic of whether romance novels can lead to discontent within marriage.  You can read the post (and the terrific discussion that followed) here.  Rachael made this comment on the post: "As much as I like Mr. Darcy, there are reasons I’m married to my husband and not a brooding aristocrat."  And THAT, in turn, gave me the idea for this post. Special thanks … [Read more...]

I love books, let me count the ways…

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I love books! As part of our move, I gave away boxes of books as we packed. Then as we unpacked, I've given away more boxes. It pains me because these books are like friends. I know the authors, I love the characters, and I have to believe I'm sending them on to better friends. The latest boxes have gone to a church library that had grown a wee bit dated because of a lack of new books. That has … [Read more...]

The Beauty of Common Grace Brought to Fruition

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Our church is working its way through the book of 1st Corinthians at present, and this past Sunday the sermon was focused on spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts, in general, are capacities and abilities apportioned and empowered by God in a Christian’s life for the common good. But the pastor said something else that has stuck with me since. He mentioned that as part of common grace (according to … [Read more...]

So Long Summer & Giveaway

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  Change is in the air here in Minnesota. Mornings are getting cooler. Evenings are growing darker earlier. I’ve dug out my sweatshirts and fuzzy slippers, and attended my son’s first high school football game. Soon I will be switching out short sleeves for long, and rain gear for snow.   It’s transition time between writing projects as well. I’m winding down publicity for … [Read more...]

When You Can’t Be Silent Any Longer

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This past Saturday morning, Ken and I stood in front of Planned Parenthood in Wichita, Kansas with about two hundred other people in a peaceful protest against the horrors that have been exposed recently about Planned Parenthood. Wichita's protest was one of many across the country last weekend and although we've always been pro-life, we've never been so outspoken about it. I don't like to get … [Read more...]

The Plot Thickens | Liz Tolsma

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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. Liz Tolsma has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and now resides next to a farm field with her husband, their son and two daughters. All of their children have been adopted internationally. Her novella, Under His Wings, appeared in the New York … [Read more...]

What I’ve Been Up to This Summer

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I can't believe summer is almost over! Here in central Michigan we treasure every single day of our warm summers because winters are SO long. From about mid-Oct. through mid-May (7 months!), our days are cold and the landscape is gray. Needless to say we pack a lot into our few months of sunny, warm weather. Most Michiganders head out to campgrounds or state parks for long weekends. Many … [Read more...]

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