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...]

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...]

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...]