Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Hello, Dolly! (The puppy, not the musical.)

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It’s been a long time coming, but we finally brought our new puppy home the Thursday before Thanksgiving. You might know from some previous mentions here or on social media that this wasn’t my idea. In fact, on social media posts about our puppy, I always include the hashtag #hismidlifecrisis. Because that’s the truth. But he doesn’t ask for much. And he really wanted a dog. And I love him, so I … [Read more...]

Grieving . . . with hope

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This isn't the post I'd planned to share today. I consider it a blessing that I was able to write stories about Belle Meade Plantation here in Nashville, and today at Belle Meade we'll be celebrating the life of a man who was very instrumental in me writing those stories. Alton Kelley, the former President of the Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery, died December 2 after a brief illness at the … [Read more...]

The Day I Did Not Kill a Chicken

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In 2018, the year I began my flock, I lost half of them (about seven hens) to a terrible virus called Marek's. Even though they had been vaccinated, my birds began to exhibit signs of the disease--splayed legs, curled toes, drunken walk, etc. I took the first two victims to the vet, where I received the diagnosis and ended up paying about $100 each time to euthanize the birds. I cried, and the … [Read more...]

How to Write a Book Review

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With two novels releasing within one week of each other (Like the Wind earlier this week and All She Ever Dreamed on Monday, Dec. 5), I’ve been reading a lot of reviews. I’ve become increasingly aware of what makes a good review and what doesn’t. I thought I’d share my opinion. First, let me say that I write reviews for all the books I read and I post them on Goodreads. I do not … [Read more...]

A Dream Come True

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The Christy Award is considered the most prestigious award for Christian fiction. Named in honor of Catherine Marshal's groundbreaking novel, Christy, this award was established in 1999 to acknowledge the value and impact of the novel of faith in contemporary culture. Christy was published in 1967. An historical novel set in the fictional Appalachian village of Cutter Gap, Tennessee in 1912, … [Read more...]

Christmas Blessings, Pay It Forward

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Last year, twelve authors joined together for a giveaway that asked only one thing of the entrants. To pay a blessing forward during the Christmas season. It was great fun reading all of the 1200+ comments that were left. A blessing to see how everyone loved the idea and were thinking of ways they could bless others. Well, we're back with another Christmas Blessing Giveaway. Twelve authors … [Read more...]

Grateful

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I hope you all had a wonderful week of Thanksgiving with those you love. Until we moved to Missouri three years ago, we were rarely able to be with our kids for Thanksgiving, since they all lived far away and planned to come home for Christmas. And if we had to choose, we would rather have them for Christmas. But we're grateful that this year we got to spend the holiday with all but one of our … [Read more...]

Thankful for Readers + Giveaway

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Every year I get the privilege of posting on Thanksgiving. This year I'm on an incredibly tight deadline...and I'm actually quite grateful for that, because last year at this time, I thought my writing career might be over. That was actually a gift because it allowed me (aka required me) to make sure I was actually okay with writing being a good gift who's time had passed. I'm also very … [Read more...]

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