A week ago I had an uncomfortable conversation — who with doesn’t matter. But words were said to me that inflicted great pain. Words that accused me of being someone I’m not — someone I know I’m not. Even with that knowledge they hurt. This quote seems to appropriate in light of that situation: I tried to track down the …
Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places
Last weekend I went out to our patio and found a fun surprise sprouting and blooming in the very narrow sand lines between the bricks. Interspersed intermittently all along the bricks were these tiny, tenacious pansies. I’m not really sure where they came from, but as I pulled the weeds last night, I left these little beauties. Part of me wanted to …
Fiction Friday: Sins of the Past
I love a good mystery. When it moves to romantic suspense, I love it even more. Then if you make it a novella collection with three of my favorite authors, well, I’m a goner. Love romantic suspense? Try the new collection from @lynetteeason and @DaniPettrey. #amreading Click To Tweet That’s what you get with Sins of the Past. This collection …
First Readers: One Tool to becoming a Better Writer
Hello. My name is Cara. I’m a recovering reader and writer. I live and breathe words. But sometimes as a writer I need help ensuring the story I see so vividly in my mind translates into words that resonate with readers. But I wrote the story. I saw it in living color as it played in real time. How do …
Fiction Friday: The Inheritance
It’s Friday, and that means time for Fiction Friday. I love taking this day to introduce you to books and authors I enjoy. Usually, the titles are fiction but every once in awhile I throw in some nonfiction. Today I’m thrilled to talk about Michael Phillips‘ latest release, The Inheritance. Growing up I inhaled his Stonewycke series and his translations …
When Mother’s Day Hurts, there is Hope
That’s where I lived. But I wrestled it to the ground with God. I had to know that when I was curled up in the closet with so much pain that I didn’t know what to do, that God was there. I had to believe that He would somehow use the pain for His good. He has.
If you’re in the midst of your own pain right now (so many of my friends and loved ones are walking such hard journeys right now), know that God is there. He never leaves. He never forsakes us. Jesus endured that, so we wouldn’t have to.
So if you can’t feel Him, look up. Look out. You will find Him. And He can put your broken heart back together again.
Want to Write? I have one piece of advice
If you know anything about my writing, then you know that I attribute the fact that I have more than 20 books out with more in the works to ACFW and its conference. I have met all of the editors that I work with at the conference and have gained invaluable instruction on writing, marketing, and so much more.
Celebrating The End: What’s a Writer to Do?
On Friday night, I typed words that are magic to every author: The End.
They are glorious words, because they mean that an author has reached the end of a journey.
Fiction Friday: Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder
Every once in awhile there is a debut novel that I am super eager to read because of the buzz I’m hearing about it. The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder by Rachel McMillan was one of those. I met Rachel at ACFW a couple years ago, and her personality was so fun, I was intrigued. Then I heard she had landed a …
Reading is the Best Teacher of Writing
I’m a huge believer that writers must read. All the time. In all genres, but particularly the ones they write. Read ABA. Read CBA. Read bestsellers. Read what works. Read what doesn’t. Why do I so firmly believe you have to read? Because it’s as you read that you will subconsciously learn the ways to write the novel you want …










