Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Karen Recommends . . .

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A couple weeks ago, I was asked to put together five book recommendations based on a theme of my choice. Since I love historical romance flavored with humor, it seemed like the logical choice for my recommendation list. There was a catch, however. I couldn't list more than one book by any author. I accepted the challenge. I even got my Posse to weigh in with their favorites. Since I would be … [Read more...]

A Quick Trip to Charleston

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Months ago we made plans for me to accompany Jeff on a business trip to South Carolina—and to stay a couple of extra days in Charleston. We've been there a couple of times before, always on business. And, I confess, since spraining my ankle very badly in Charleston in 2017, I always go back with a bit of fear and trepidation!  But this time would be a different trip. Unlike the previous ones, … [Read more...]

Be careful what you wish for

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Meet Gary Garrison, a good friend, who once asked me to put him in one of my books. Since we're such good friends, of course, I said YES! Gary’s first preference, he stated, was to be a cover model, shirt ripped opened and chest bared. Hairy chest or not, was negotiable. He said we could Photoshop that as desired. And he wanted his long, thick mane flowing behind him in the wind. I told him … [Read more...]

Happy Valentine’s Giveaway

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[AND THE WINNER IS...Julie! Congrats, Julie. Watch your email for information on how to receive your journals.] Wishing a very happy Valentine's Day to all our wonderful readers of Inspired by Life...and Fiction. Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays, and to celebrate, I'd love to send one of our readers these two journals from Raney Day Press. To be entered for the drawing, simply … [Read more...]

A Passion Project

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Back in 2009, I started posting weekly prayers for writers in an email group. After a few years, one of the leaders in the group suggested I keep those prayers and think about publishing them one day. About two or three years ago, I moved the prayers out of my email program and into a Scrivener document, thinking I would finally get around to organizing them. And there they sat. Not long … [Read more...]

The Cover Types Readers Love Best (and a Valentine’s Day Giveaway!)

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The last time I blogged, I shared the responses readers gave when I asked what inspires them to try a new author. You seemed to enjoy that data and since I'm a data-loving girl, I'm back with the results of a few polls I recently ran concerning cover preferences! You may have noticed in recent years that contemporary romances as well as some historical romances published in the wider "general" … [Read more...]

Snow Days and Giveaways

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Last week we were in the middle of what I shall light heartedly call snowmaggedon. It started Wednesday morning with rain as I drove to campus at 7:30. By 8:05 as I walked to my class, it was sleeting and by 9:30 at a break we had an inch of snow. When I walked back to my building at 11, it looked like this: I spent Thursday and Friday working from home. The ring light and Zoom became my … [Read more...]

Challenge and Giveaway

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Hi friends, Happy Wednesday! I have a fun challenge and a special giveaway to share with you today. I shared about this challenge in my FB reader group, The Suspense Squad, but I wanted to enlist your fabulous help too. I saw this reading challenge floating around social media, and since my goal is to read one novel a month in 2022, I thought it was a perfect opportunity! I’ll have January … [Read more...]

WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU CAN’T GO TO BRITAIN: 15 Places in the U.S. to get your Brit-Fix

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If you are longing to go to Britain like I am, but can’t (or aren’t ready) to travel abroad yet, here are 15 places in the U.S. that might tide you over until we can all travel again safely: Unsurprisingly, New England tops the list, with all of its beautiful, historical cities originally settled by the British. For example, walking the cobbled streets of Boston’s historic section could … [Read more...]

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