Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Ah the joys of anonymous reader mail!

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I have three things to share today and I promise they're connected—though it may not seem so at the outset. FIRST, a video. In 2016, one of my publishers asked me to make a quick 1-minute video containing my best and worst review to date that would then be shown to the sales team during their conference. This video is the result. I've never shared it publicly, but am sharing it now for … [Read more...]

Let’s Talk About Lambs

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Remember the old game of gossip, where you whispered something in someone's ear, and by the time the words got all the way around the circle, it was so convoluted it made no sense?  For the last two or three years, at Christmastime I’ve received copies of an essay about newborn lambs—the perfect lambs intended for sacrifice—that were swaddled and placed in a manger. The essay says … [Read more...]

Happy New Year

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On January 1, 2021, I wanted the new year to bring an end to the pandemic and the social upheaval and the political unrest everywhere. But the start of a new year can't change everything. In fact, the only thing that the new year is guaranteed to change is the calendar. In too many ways (in my opinion, at least), 2021 seemed like 2020. Sigh. Still, I begin 2022 with hope. How can I do … [Read more...]

Christmas Isn’t Over Yet

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As you may know, I write historical fiction set in early 19th century England, a period called the Regency era.  A large part of writing fiction set in another country more than 200 years ago is research, which I (thankfully) enjoy. I have especially found it interesting to discover similarities and differences between how the British used to celebrate Christmas—and in many cases still do—compared … [Read more...]

Christmas because…Easter

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I hope you all had a wonderfully blessed Christmas celebration with family and friends. As you read this, our four children, their spouses, and our ten grandchildren (with two precious babies on the way for an even dozen next year!) are all gathering at our oldest daughter's house for a week of fun and chaos. Nineteen under one roof! Because we have several teachers in our family, it has worked … [Read more...]

Southwest Christmas

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Happy Christmas Eve everyone! Today, I'm sharing pictures from my family's road trip this past week to New Mexico. It was so much fun to experience the Christmas season, Southwest style! Are you traveling over Christmas or New Years? Have you been to New Mexico? "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." John 1:4. I'm wishing everyone a Christmas … [Read more...]

Merry Christmas and Blessings!

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We're traveling and almost home, so this post will be short and quick. Thank you for reading with us this year! Thank you for all the ways you encourage us! My prayer is that 2022 would be year filled with blessings and peace. And may your Christmas season be filled with joy and family and friends. … [Read more...]

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