Since January 27, my grandfather and uncle died…exactly one week apart. It’s one reason I haven’t posted as consistently as usual. My grandma doesn’t have wifi on the farm, and it was important to spend time with her. One theme that kept ringing through as we (my parents, siblings, cousins, extended family) walked through this dark time was that we …
Exciting News! I’ll be Seeing You at Christmas
I am beyond thrilled to announce that Tricia Goyer, Sarah Sundin and I are coming together to write a Christmas novella collection tentatively titled I’ll be Seeing You…at Christmas. It’s part of B&H’s new World War II fiction line that launches in 2014. The book I turned in February 1st, Shadowed by Grace, launches the line next February.Tricia and Sarah …
All for a Song by Allison Pittman
Allison Pittman is an award winning author of numerous books, all historical, and all set during different time periods. I first got to know her when we both attended a writer’s retreat, and she offered to pick me up at the airport. We had a great time getting to know each other, and from our conversations, I couldn’t wait to …
Turning Life Into Fiction: My Grandpa
We had my Grandpa’s services on Saturday, and then yesterday morning my uncle died. As I’ve been with family, I’ve thought about the legacy we leave behind. Grandpa was one of my heroes. Today, I wanted to share with you one way I turned who he was into inspiration for my stories. A couple years ago for Christmas, he had …
Honoring a Legacy of Love
Today, I’ll be at the visitation and tomorrow at the graduation celebration for my 93 year old grandfather who went home to be with the Lord Sunday. It’s been a bittersweet couple weeks as we prepared for him to leave us. The man has left an amazing legacy. He and my grandma were married 66 years. They had four children+ …
LFY in Glacier Bay, Alaska
My Review: I had the fun of hearing all about Tricia’s trip to Glacier Bay to research this book. It was a hoot to hear her talk about Bud’s rental cars, the rugged beauty of the place, and how everyone knows everyone. Hearing the details made me hungry to read the book and I wasn’t disappointed. All those details and so many …
4 steps to building solid relationships with extended family
This post is more poignant this morning. My Grandpa died last night after 93 good years on this planet. So grateful for him and his legacy. So glad we made time for extra stops over the years. Missing him though. Shucking Corn withGrandma Ever have times where you think things were much easier 100 years ago? Families lived in close …
Friday Countdown: Three ideas for winter weekends
This photo makes me nostalgic for the days my older two were the ages of my younger two. Ah…if only we had snow like that this year! The weekend is upon us and one of the challenges when the weather is bitter is what can we do? Here are a few ideas and I’d love to hear yours, too: 1) Grab …
ACFW Board Meetings!
Today I’m in downtown Indianapolis for ACFW Executive board meetings. We’re plotting and strategizing for the future. We’re also setting the schedule for the fall national conference. Woot! The conference is coming up September 13-15 in downtown Indianapolis. I am so excited. We already have editors and agents signing up to attend. This year I will be offering mentor appointments …
Review: Escape back to Smitten with Secretly Smitten
Secretly Smitten is written by four of my writing friends. If you’ve followed my blog at all you know I thoroughly enjoy Colleen Coble’s romantic mysteries and I adore Denise Hunter’s contemporary romances. With the Smitten novella collections these two authors pair with Diann Hunt and Kristin Billerbeck: both are brilliant, funny writers. With Secretly Smitten, these authors have returned …