Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Living History

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Last month, I met my daughter in Brenham, TX for a girls getaway weekend. We rented a cute little one-room house (over 200 years old!) in nearby Chappell Hill. We watched movies and relaxed a lot (Bethany just started a PhD program at Texas A&M, so relaxation was high on her to-do list), but we also spent Saturday afternoon exploring. One of the places we visited was Washington on the … [Read more...]

Behind the scenes of Colors of Truth, a Carnton novel

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Colors of Truth officially releases today, and I'm both excited and relieved to see this day finally arrive. Thank you, friends, for your love and encouragement in recent weeks as this novel made its way to publication—and this author had a crash course in indie publishing! <g> You made this journey a much sweeter one. Colors of Truth is a Carnton novel, meaning it's a story steeped … [Read more...]

Saving Ellis Island

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Several years ago, when I was writing and researching my novel, “Until We Reach Home,” my sister Peggy and I took a day trip from her home outside New York City to visit Ellis Island. As I’m sure you know, Ellis Island was the iconic landing place near the Statue of Liberty for millions of immigrants who came to U.S. shores seeking a new life. My novel tells the story of three sisters, Elin, … [Read more...]

Deepening your understanding of the Bible

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For the past four plus years, I've been blessed to study the Bible with Kristi McLelland, a professor and biblical culturalist in Nashville—and a phenomenal teacher of the Word. Kristi has dedicated her life to teaching people how to study the Bible—and how to read it through a Middle Eastern lens. She's recommended some wonderful Biblical study resources that I'm eager to share with you. Plus … [Read more...]

Back to Being Back to School

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Some years ago, I attended a college graduation ceremony (remember when they had those in a normal fashion?), and while sitting in the bleachers, I had an epiphany. I’d always said I was going to get a college degree (something I didn’t do at the usual age) “when I had the time.” And sitting in those bleachers I realized, as with anything else, I would never have the time. If this was something I … [Read more...]

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