Unbetrothed & Ruthless
When my girls were young, we read many fantasy kingdom tales, including these: Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix, a novel spinoff of Cinderella Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, another spinoff of Cinderella The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale, Books of Bayern series, a novel based on the folktale by the same name The...
A Song of Deliverance
In October 2023, my husband Tim and I took a train ride on the Narrow Gauge Railroad from Durango, Colorado to Silverton, an old mining town. The train maneuvered through steep mountains, rocky gorges, and winding rivers. In town, charming nineteenth century buildings and streets nestled in between mountains. It...
Rescuing Rose & Seeking Simon
On this blog, I’ve introduced numerous World War II novels, but not one single Civil War story. In trying to recall any Civil War titles I’ve read, only Gone With the Wind comes to mind. And that was decades ago! Of my 109 posts since November 2021, the novel set closest to the Civil War is Kelly Goshorn’s A Love Restored...
Across the Crying Sands & a Giveaway!
<<< I'M RUNNING A GIVEAWAY! YOU COULD WIN ONE OF JANE'S BOOKS! SEE BELOW >>> New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick is known for taking true stories about real people and writing about their lives as historical fiction—but only after tons or research and getting all the facts straights. Her...
Joshua’s Prayer & a Giveaway!
I'M RUNNING A GIVEAWAY OF OLIVIA’S BOOKS—SEE BELOW. Olivia Rae has created two novel series that plunge readers into medieval life with all its drama and adventure. In contrast, she has written a poignant contemporary romance about a widower, a women's shelter director, and a disabled boy, titled Joshua's Prayer. I’m...
The Secret to Happiness
I'M RUNNING A GIVEAWAY OF SUZANNE’S BOOKS—SEE BELOW. Versatility is a word that describes Suzanne Woods Fisher. Her 40+ books range from contemporary romance to Amish to historical fiction, as well as children’s and non-fiction. I’m particularly grateful to Suzanne for endorsing my novel, A Hundred Magical Reasons,...
Once Upon a Wardrobe
I'M RUNNING A GIVEAWAY OF PATTI’S BOOKS—SEE BELOW. There’s something magical about Patti Callahan Henry’s novels, at least the ones I’ve read. A common thread runs through them: books, literature, fairy tales—the stories that shape us. I’m particularly grateful to Patti for endorsing my novel, A Hundred Magical Reasons,...
The Rhythm of Fractured Grace
I'M RUNNING A GIVEAWAY OF AMANDA’S BOOK—SEE BELOW. Novelist Amanda Wen has been a guest on this blog twice for two books in her Sedgewick County Chronicles series. Today I’m sharing book three: The Rhythm of Fractured Grace. I’m particularly grateful to Amanda for endorsing my novel, A Hundred Magical Reasons, published...
All We Thought We Knew
I'M RUNNING A GIVEAWAY OF MICHELLE’S NEWEST BOOK—SEE BELOW. Novelist Michelle Shocklee has been a guest on this blog several times and I’m thrilled to host her again. Besides featuring Michelle’s most recent release (Oct 1, 2024), I want to share her other writing endeavors. I’m particularly grateful to her for...
A Hundred Magical Reasons
I’M RUNNING A GIVEAWAY OF MY NEW NOVEL! SEE BELOW. Today is my book birthday! After years of writing, revising, and editing, I'm thrilled to finally be able to share this story. Please indulge me--just a bit. I've shared some endorsements with you from a variety of people who weren't necessarily familiar with L. Frank...
The Lady with the Alligator Case
I’M RUNNING A GIVEAWAY OF ANITA’S NEW BOOK! SEE BELOW. I’m happy to feature author Anita Klumpers on my blog again. Her Christmas mystery novella, The Lady with the Alligator Case, is hot off the press. (Well, sort of. It’s actually an ebook--but I have a LIMITED EDITION PAPERBACK to use for this giveaway!) Besides...
What I Left for You
I'M RUNNING A GIVEAWAY OF LIZ’S NEW BOOK—SEE BELOW. I’m glad to welcome novelist Liz Tolsma back to the blog. With a flair for romance, she is primarily known for her World War II fiction but has also dabbled in Amish romance and historical romantic suspense. Liz’s latest release just launched on December 1. It is third...
The Lady with the Dark Hair
When I used to teach middle school and high school art, I loved introducing students to the works of the great artists, from Leonardo da Vinci to the Dutch masters Rembrandt and Vermeer, to Impressionists Monet and Renoir, to American painters Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, and Georgia O’Keefe. And many more. I...
He Should Have Told the Bees
A few years ago, one of my dear friends passed away. We’d been confidants with open hearts as we’d shared life’s sorrows with each other over the years. But we weren’t as close as I’d thought. Soon after she died, I discovered some horrific events she’d endured but never told me about. I grieved the loss of my...
Escape to Whispering Creek
Novelist Barbara M. Britton has been a guest on this blog several times. It’s always fun to learn what’s next for Barb. Especially since her genre-hopping proves her versatility. She’s just as comfortable writing Biblical fiction as she is writing contemporary or historical romance. I'M RUNNING A GIVEAWAY OF BARB'S...
The Dandelion Field
Being a small town girl myself, I’m drawn to small town or rural settings in novels. Whether there’s romance or not, I like the small town dynamics which sometimes includes a supporting cast of loveable, heart-warming, and quirky characters. You can have New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. I’ll head over to...
A Certain Man
I’ve enjoyed numerous Biblical fiction novels over the years. Besides books by well known authors such as Francine Rivers, Tessa Afshar, and Angela Hunt, I’ve enjoyed reading new authors, too. Such is Linda Dindzans. Her debut novel, A Certain Man released last month and is set during the time of Christ. Linda's...
The Road Before Us
After my kids grew up and left home, I discovered a newfound sense of freedom and a way to keep feeling young: take a solo road trip. Leaving the nest for a while was a great way to overcome any empty nest doldrums. It also renews friendships and inspires stories. When I’m not on a road trip, I’m anticipating the next...
As Waters Gone By
Madeline Island is a hidden treasure tucked up north in the western end of Lake Superior. It’s the biggest of the 22 Apostle Islands, reachable by a twenty-minute ferry ride from Bayfield, Wisconsin (estimated 6474 yearly ferry trips). Cars allowed. With numerous beaches and trails transversing its fourteen-by-three-mile...
The Deepest Sigh
Lately I’ve read two two books set during the time of World War I—also known as the Great War—both by Naomi Musch. The Deepest Sigh is set in rural northern Wisconsin as war looms in Europe, while the U.S. is being drawn in. Her other book, Polly, also takes place in northern Wisconsin, right after the war ends. I...
Trailer for A Hundred Magical Reasons, a novel
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