This week, like many of you, I’m celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation! Reformation Day is celebrated annually on October 31 because tradition holds that a German monk by the name of Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Church Door in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517. His hammer blows started a revolution of sorts now known as the Protestant … [Read more...]
Confessions of a Pastor’s Kid
Growing up I was a PK, church lingo for Pastor's Kid. My dad was a Lutheran Pastor. And I grew up in the church. Not literally, of course. We usually lived in a parsonage, often one that was next door to the church. But my life centered around attending potlucks, Sunday School, potlucks, church, catechism class, potlucks, church related events. Did I mention potlucks? ;-) I confess. … [Read more...]
The Strangest Tradition of All: Witnessing a Marriage Consummation
My new historical, Luther and Katharina has released. Reviews are pouring in and invariably readers are commenting on the strangeness of one particular tradition in the book: the witnessing of the betrothal night consummation. Witnessing of a marriage consummation? What is that? Essentially the newly married couple had sex in the presence of witnesses, usually with the bed curtains closed and … [Read more...]
Confessions of a Nervous Author
When it comes to reader reviews, most of the time I'm fairly unflustered. After having eleven novels/novellas published, my skin has grown pretty thick skin. I've learned to accept both positive and negative reviews as just part of the business. If I'm putting forward my fullest energy and effort with every book, then I have to be content with my best and realize I won't please every reader … [Read more...]