Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

A Glimpse of Christmas

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    This month has been chaotic. The race to final grades. Writing as much as I can. And trying to be present with my family. That means the Christmas decorations are a bit light this year. At one point I wasn't sure we'd get the tree up. Truly. But we did and now there are presents surrounding it. One thing I'm learning to do is give myself a bit of grace. Life is busy in good ways, but … [Read more...]

Favorite Christmas Reads

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While I do love a good Hallmark Christmas movie, I have to confess that I love reading Christmas-themed novels and novellas even more. I’ve read some great ones through the years, so I thought I’d spotlight a few in case you need a book to read between now and New Year’s Day!  MOST ANTICPATED:  The book I’ve been most excited to read this season is Susan May Warren’s All I Want for … [Read more...]

Small but mighty…meet Leo

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CAUTION: POSSIBLE OVERSHARING ALERT Thanks for indulging this new Gram Tam as I share pics of our sweet little grandson Leo—our first grandchild and adorable little boy—who was born one week ago today! Our daughter Kelsey and I had the blessing of being in the delivery room (along with Kellie's mom Leslie and twin sister Kristen), and oh...I will be forever grateful for that gift. I still … [Read more...]

Learning New Things

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First of all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I won’t blog here again until after both of those holidays have passed, so wanted to start off with those greetings. It certainly looks like Christmas around my neighborhood. To prove it, below is a photo from behind my house (backyard and common area). I awakened a few mornings ago to a winter wonderland. Not terribly deep but very pretty. … [Read more...]

Karen’s Big Christmas Giveaway

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The Christmas season is here, and if you're anything like me, you're directly in the middle of all the hustle and bustle. Shopping, baking, decorating the house, wrapping gifts, getting packages in the mail . . . It seems like every time I scratch one thing off the to-do list, three more appear to take its place. Wouldn't it be nice if someone sent you a big care package to help you relax and … [Read more...]

Reader Resources

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Hi friends! Happy Wednesday. I hope your Christmas season is going wonderfully. We've got our tree up, the house all decorated, and presents bought. I'm also looking forward to continuing my tradition of taking the last two weeks of the month off social media. Don't get me wrong I love chatting with readers and sharing with them but taking those two weeks off helps me enjoy the stillness and being … [Read more...]

December with Jane Austen

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Since Jane Austen was born in December (December 16, 1775), my local chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North American (Minnesota) celebrates with an annual Christmas party at which we honor her memory on or near her birthday. We always have a toast to Jane, with words taken from something her brother Henry wrote after Jane’s death. He describes her as: [having] the most lively … [Read more...]

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

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Would it shock you to know that I took our Christmas tree down last night? I've always been one to take it down on December 26, but BEFORE Christmas? Unheard of! But this is an unusual year for us. The tree went up November 6 because we were going to Michigan for a book signing, but having guests for Thanksgiving just days after we got back and I wanted the house decorated for Thanksgiving. And … [Read more...]

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