Periodically, I'm asked to give tips on writing reviews. I'm always glad to help people feel more comfortable spreading the word about books they love. I love to tell everyone about books that I love...and now that I'm an author, I know just how much a well written review -- even if it's a few sentences can help authors. Many readers use the number of reviews as one way to decide whether or not … [Read more...]
Say YES to the dress … and the book!
Saturday I went wedding dress shopping with my daughter, her bridesmaids, and my 85-year-old grandmother. Here is the group! (I was taking the photo.) My daughter Leslie is the second on the left with the curly hair! I took photos of my daughter in the dresses she was trying on, and the dress she CHOSE! (It was the 4th one!) But at least a dozen times I was told, "Don't you dare … [Read more...]
Let’s Talk Books!
The first Christian novel I ever read was Love Comes Softly by Jeanette Oke. My mother had borrowed the book from a friend, and I asked to read it when she was done. I was fifteen-years-old, and I fell in love with Marty, Clark and little Missy. Unfortunately, I wasn't aware of other Christian fiction. During that stage in my life, most of my reading included books like The Thornbirds or … [Read more...]
Stepping out of Comfort Zones
Life is full of choices. Sometimes the biggest choice is whether to move forward or stay where we are comfortable. This week I'm making a presentation in Nottingham, England, at the Society of Legal Scholars conference. It's a definite step outside my comfort zone. Now, don't roll your eyes. Yes, I teach a couple times a week at Purdue University, but I don't teach other professors. … [Read more...]
Writing a {True} Story of Depression and Hope
Like everyone else, I was heartbroken to hear about the death of Robin Williams. I remember first falling in love with him when he played Mork on Mork and Mindy. I remember playing with the other kids in 5th grade saying, “Na-Nu Na-Nu.” Hearing of his death was hard enough, but to find out he died by suicide made my heart ache. For many years I didn't understand the pain of depression, and … [Read more...]