Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Memories & Meaning

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As 2021 draws to a close, I hope to move into the New Year with a heart filled with gratitude, a focus on savoring the small moments that mean so much, and the joy of making lasting memories. I want to ease my hectic schedule so I can slow down and enjoy the blessings God's given me. Nothing brings me happiness like seeing my grandkids smile, my family laughing as we all gather, or the simple act … [Read more...]

Tears in a bottle

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As 2021 draws to a close, I imagine we're all a bit skeptical of what awaits in 2022, understandably so. Which makes me especially grateful for the enduring truth that God holds all of our days in his hands. This time last year most of us were probably thinking, "Wow, it'll be so nice to have 2020 behind us." Only to quickly discover that more of the same awaited us in 2021. Any way you look … [Read more...]

A Birthday Wish

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December 20, 2021  Happy birthday to me!  Today I am three-score and four . . . and I hope the Lord gives me more years to serve him.  I’ll never forget the shock I felt a few years ago when I realized that I had entered the latter part of my life.  I think it was around fifty . . . suddenly I realized that I didn’t have as many years ahead of me as I had behind … [Read more...]

Two Ways to Cope with the Stress of the Holidays

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The holiday season is full of demands. We have our to-do lists that run longer than a novel—baking an old-fashioned fruit cake, mixing fresh snow into ice cream for the kids, and hand-embroidering a Christmas stocking for the pet hamster.Okay, so not really! But most of us DO feel the increased pressure in one form or another during the Christmas season. There's the decorating, baking, … [Read more...]

Grace Changes Everything with Pepper Basham

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I'm so delighted to welcome Pepper Basham today. I just finished reading her marvelous book, The Mistletoe Countess, and I was so captivated by her delightful heroine, that this book has climbed to the top of my list for Best Reads of 2021. Such a fun story! The heroine is a sun-shiny book nerd and absolutely adorable. This story has is all: whimsy, humor, mystery, and lots of romance. All at … [Read more...]

Counting Down to Christmas

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As we get closer to the day on which we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the frenzy of parties and gift-buying, school programs and charitable drives dies down, leaving days in which it is finally possible to enjoy some seasonal delights. While our Christmas Day celebration will be very subdued this year with all of the kids elsewhere, there are still some of my favorite things to look forward to as … [Read more...]

♫♪ It’s the most event-full time of the year ♪♫

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It has been one week since the release of my latest novel, Shadows of Swanford Abbey. It’s been a busy time of preparing for the in-person launch party as well as participating in online chats about the new book, and writing a talk I will be giving at a women’s Christmas event in a few days. All good things and I’m thankful (and a wee bit tired :) ). Hosting an in-person launch after two … [Read more...]

My Recipe for Christmas Romance

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As far as I'm concerned, Christmas novellas are the Christmas cookies of the literary world. Small, sweet, and affordable! Since this is the time of year when we love to make favorite old recipes as well as try new ones, I thought I'd share the recipe I used when baking up my Christmas novella, You and Me. I started with a generous amount of the hero, Connor. I envisioned Connor first as a … [Read more...]

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