Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Mom/Grandmother/Aunt advice needed

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December 13 approaches, which means we're coming up on Leo's first birthday! I can hardly believe it. Leo's younger sister Ari (pronounced "R-ee," the name is Hebrew and means Lion of God) is due at the end of January. Almost Irish Twins! Kellie, our fabulous daughter-in-law, is hoping Ari has her coloring and skin (Kellie's a brunette and tans beautifully while the rest of us Alexanders, … [Read more...]

Happy Hanukkah!

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Did you know that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah? He did. And even though most Christians do not celebrate this Jewish holiday, trust me on this: without Hanukkah, we would not have Christmas. This year Hanukkah runs from sundown on December 7th through December 15th. My synagogue is having a Hanukkah party this weekend. :-) Then came Hanukkah; it was winter in Jerusalem. Yeshua was walking in the … [Read more...]

Ten Things About Me — and a great deal!

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A couple of weeks ago, Julie shared her answers to a questionnaire. On the day she posted her answers, she said it was because she was at a loss what to blog about. Guess what? Me, too. So here are my answers to the same ten questions. Don't go yet . . . Next week, you can buy three of my most powerful stories of hope in one collection! WOMEN OF HOPE, regularly priced at … [Read more...]

One Week Till Release!

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In one week, my new novel, A Winter by the Sea, releases. It's book two in my On Devonshire Shores series. If you live near St. Paul, Minnesota, I hope you will join me for the biggest night of my year. Book Release Parties are always a fun time of celebration, seeing old friends, and learning about new books. Please join us! There will be refreshments and a fun gift for everyone who … [Read more...]

Ireland and Scotland…and That’s a Wrap!

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Thanks so much for your patience as over the past month I've shared our trip to Paris, the UK, and my time in York, England where I got to see the home where my great-great grandparents lived at the time they emigrated to America. Today, is the final installment of our trip—our time in Ireland and Scotland. After our tumultuous ferry crossing, we drove through the lush, green countryside to the … [Read more...]

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving!

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I hope you and your family are enjoying a very happy Thanksgiving weekend! Our oldest daughter graduated from college in May and is now working as a medical assistant in San Diego. Our son is a sophomore at Hendrix College in Arkansas, where he plays basketball. Our youngest still lives at home and started high school at the performing arts magnet school this year. We're fortunate to have all … [Read more...]

Christmas Gifts for the Booklover in Us All

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Hi friends and Happy Wednesday! I thought it would be fun to share some booklover Christmas gifts as it’s quickly becoming that time of year. I had the best time “shopping” and I now have my personal Christmas wish list intact.  Hope you’ll enjoy the items too.  I remember curling up in bed with a book, but this is an entirely new way of doing so. But why just go with a blanket when … [Read more...]

A story behind a story . . . in his perfect timing

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When I was a teenager, after youth group on Sunday nights a bunch of us used to drive to downtown Atlanta and, equipped with flashlights, we’d sneak into an old, abandoned, boarded-up antebellum home. We’d wander around, peering into rooms, creeping up staircases (hoping they held) all while brushing aside cobwebs and breathing in plumes of dust. It felt like walking through time—and I loved … [Read more...]

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