Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Take Time to Remember Your Story

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I'm blessed that my 84-year-old grandmother lives with me. My grandma is full of spunk. She is witty even though she can't remember what day or month it is. (She still thinks it's January and last Sunday she dressed for church in a heavy sweater before I made her change!) This photo is my Grandma Dolores and my Uncle Joe who served in World War II. Even though he was thirteen years her elder … [Read more...]

Belmont Mansion Returning Treasures

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The Belmont Mansion here in Nashville, Tennessee recently acquired over 200 new pieces that belonged to Adelicia Acklen, the mistress of Belmont Mansion, the setting of A Lasting Impression and A Beauty So Rare. These items have been in the Acklen family since being removed from the Belmont Mansion in the 1880s. But as you can imagine, the curator and staff of the mansion are welcoming them … [Read more...]

Grand Tour

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You won’t believe where I am. I can hardly believe it myself! Like a wealthy heroine in a 19th century novel, I’m on a Grand Tour of Europe. But this trip isn’t purely for pleasure, although I’m certainly having a lot of fun! My husband Ken and I are here in the Netherlands after a stopover in Copenhagen to watch as our son Benjamin is awarded his PhD in Biblical Studies from the University of … [Read more...]

The Plot Thickens | Lynn Austin

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Each Sunday "Inspired by Life...and Fiction" shares with our readers a Christian novelist's newest book and the garden spots where they find inspiration. Lynn Austin's books have won eight Christy Awards, and her novel Hidden Places became a Hallmark movie starring Shirley Jones. Until a recent move to Michigan, Lynn gardened near Chicago where a beautiful crab apple tree … [Read more...]

When Inspiration Strikes (Guest Blogger: Margaret Brownley)

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Several years ago, I drove to Santa Barbara unaware that a truck had dumped a load of nails onto the 101 freeway. By the time I spotted the scattered cargo it was too late. I ended up with four—yes four!—flat tires. As my son and I waited on the side of the road for the Auto Club he asked, "Mom, are you going to use this in a book? Ah, inspiration. It can hit anytime, anywhere and sometimes … [Read more...]

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