Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Word of Mouth: One of the Most Powerful Tools in Helping a Book Succeed

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Think for a few minutes about the kinds of things that make you want to pick up a book and read it. Most of the time we read a book because it's by an author we already know and love. Sometimes a cover might attract us to take a closer look, particularly if we're browsing in a brick-and-mortar store. But I'm guessing the large majority of us discover books based on word of mouth. The … [Read more...]

Unexpected Discoveries and a Huge Romance Giveaway

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April has been a busy month for me as far as travel goes. In fact, today I'll be in airports and cars most of the day traveling to a writers' retreat, so please forgive me if I am delayed responding to comments. I thought I'd share some of my experiences from the quaint town of Mason, TX. I was invited to come speak at a library event back on April 8, and I had a lovely time. Got to see some … [Read more...]

Read To Me!

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One of the things I love about being a grandmother is reading books to my granddaughter. Lyla is sixteen months old and already has her favorites. One of them, “Hand, Hand, Fingers Thumbs” by Al Perkins and Eric Gurney, used to be one of her mother’s favorites, too. I never liked this book when my daughter was young because it didn’t have a plot. My daughter now understands why I got tired of … [Read more...]

New Release and a Cover Reveal

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I'm delighted to tell you that my new book, You'll Think of Me, is now available. Early reviews have been such an encouragement. Here are just a few: Publishers Weekly: "These characters, and the reader, are in for a heartwarming journey of redemption, forgiveness, and embracing the future.” RT Book Reviews: “This story, infused with the wonder of God’s love, will have inspirational romance … [Read more...]

Why Are Novellas So Popular? (Plus a FREE Novella!)

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A novella is simply a short novel, usually about a quarter or third of the size of a full-length book. It contains all the same elements as a novel: well-drawn characters, interesting plot, love interest (for romances), and internal character growth. But the story is much less complicated and moves fairly quickly. As publishing and books have entered the digital age, novellas have increased in … [Read more...]

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