Have you ever heard of or seen an ancient tear jar? Stories of tear jars—or lachrymatories—appear often in middle eastern history. In Roman times, women would fill these small glass jars with their tears and place them in tombs as symbols of love and mourning for their deceased loved one. A wife in antiquity might use such a jar to collect her tears of grief and longing for a husband who was … [Read more...]
Coming in July, Colors of Truth
It's always a pretty good feeling (#majorunderstatement) when you finally get a book finished, edited, and submitted to your publisher. And when you get the final cover, too! That's where we are with my next release, Colors of Truth, the second full-length novel in The Carnton Novels Collection, releasing July 2020. Based on the real history of Carnton, an antebellum home that served as a … [Read more...]
Favorite Website Features
Not long ago, I took an informal poll of readers' favorite features of authors' websites and found it very interesting. To that end, I'd love to know what you like best about authors' sites. What information you appreciate seeing when you visit an author's online home. In response to reader feedback, I added a "Bonus Features" page to my site which includes a slew of icons that lead to other … [Read more...]
Fabulous First Sentences (from 2019 Christy Award Finalists)
You already know I love reading first sentences of novels, and here are some really good ones! From a few of the 2019 Christy Award finalists, no less. Not all of them, mind you, just a few chosen at random. I love the varieties in style and hope you do, too! And GET READY TO VOTE because I'd like to know your favorite! #1"I discovered a secret."Falling for You by Becky Wade Christy Award … [Read more...]
Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth
"A great liking for sweet tasting foods." That's the definition for "sweet tooth." And I definitely have a sweet tooth! Do you? This past Sunday, I spoke to the fabulous women at Brentwood Church of Christ here in Nashville on the topic of Writing Real History, and they had the most adorable—and that doesn't even begin to describe them—cookies! See for yourself... Aren't these … [Read more...]