I dedicated my latest book, The Dancing Master, to my own dance teacher: In honor of Aurora Villacorta ballroom dance instructor at the University of Illinois for more than twenty years. Thanks, Miss V. Your lessons are forever with me. Dance steps, yes, but so much more—etiquette, manners, respect, and grace. Your classes were the most enjoyable of my college years. I will never forget … [Read more...]
Just Do It
A friend recently told me he had an idea for a book and planned to write it after he retires in 10 years. I frequently hear comments like that, often about writing or some other dream for the future. “Someday, I would love to…” Followed by the excuses: “My kids are involved in too many activities right now; things are really crazy at work; I don’t have a calm, quiet place to write; I don’t have … [Read more...]
Multiple Author Giveaway (4/7 – 4/14)
A giveaway just in time for Easter! The authors of Inspired By Life…and Fiction invite you to enter our current giveaway in which one reader will win ten bestselling novels (1 from each author). How do you enter? Subscribe to the Inspired by Life…and Fiction blog. It's that simple. Visit the link inside the Rafflecopter box, then follow the instructions to start your free … [Read more...]
Home Sweet Home
This spring, my home has been a crazy place. Having five children, one dog, and four cats is liable to make any home crazy. But add to that homeschooling, a multitude of after-school activities, out-of-town sporting meets and debate tournaments, and evening meetings and speaking events. In addition, we're in the beginning stages of doing a major remodel on our kitchen. After almost eight years … [Read more...]
Author Event: Tamera Alexander (6/12 – 6/18)
June 10-18, 2014 Book Tour in Germany and Switzerland With Lynn Austin and Elizabeth Musser…and my daughter Kelsey! We're starting in the beautiful city of Marburg where our German publisher, Francke is located, and hope to see many of our German and Swiss readers during our book tour! Here is our TENTATIVE TRAVEL SCHEDULE, more dates and locations are being added: June 11 7:00 … [Read more...]
Seven Alone
Do you remember those books from your childhood that made a lasting impression on you? I can remember walking into my elementary school library and choosing a book from the shelves because the title made me laugh - The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles - written by none other than Mary Poppins herself, Julie Andrews Edwards. That was the first book I remember reading that caused my imagination … [Read more...]
Author Event: Robin Lee Hatcher (6/29/14)
Attention: Librarians! Robin will be autographing copies of her June release, Four Weddings & a Kiss, in the Thomas Nelson booth at 1:00 PM on Sunday, June 29th, at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the ALA 2014 Convention. She will be joined by fellow authors Margaret Brownley and Debra Clopton. If you are attending the ALA Convention, please mark your calendar and plan to stop by … [Read more...]
The Kissing Bridge: Amish Fiction Release!
It was a beautiful summer day when my family and I climbed into a horse-drawn wagon and were taken on a ride through the hills of Northwest Montana. Our tour guide had grown up Amish. Ora Jay has a way with horses. He and his wife Irene also have a way of telling stories. They once told me about a time when they and their Amish friends took a wagon ride from Montana to Idaho. It took them two … [Read more...]
It all happened on a dare
A neighbor recently asked me what inspired me to write novels... I didn’t have to think long to recall the exact moment that my journey in novel writing began. It all happened on a dare, really. From my husband, Joe. But first, as we say, some backstory… In 1995, my mother-in-law, Claudette Harris Alexander, gave me a book she thought I would enjoy––I took one look at the cover and … [Read more...]
Author Event: Deborah Raney (4/26/14)
Deb will be signing copies of her novels and visiting with library patrons at a brunch at the Marion City Library, Marion, KS on April 26, 2014 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Marion City Library is in a beautifully restored and renovated Santa Fe Railroad Depot in the town of Marion, Kansas. … [Read more...]