This morning, I’m sweating in Florence, Italy. It’s supposed to hit 105 degrees, without the humidity added in. It’s hard to be too miserable as long as there is plenty of shade and water. This year while I’ve taught study abroad in Florence, I’ve been popping in and out of a lot of fun bookstores. I don’t think I’d realized …
Walking Tour of Florence
Today I’d like to take you on a walking tour of Italy. The last week of my stay, I was on my own. Being me, that meant finding reasons to walk as far as I could. On this particular day I actually got out a tour book and selected a walking tour that would take me to some sites I already knew and a few that I didn’t.
4 Tips for Traveling with Kids
School is out so that means it’s time to travel as a family. No matter how big or small your family is, any time you had children to the mix, it adds to the packing joys. And the traveling angst. So here are a few ideas that help our family as we’re on the go. @cara_putman shares some tips for …
A Writer’s Rest: Italy
My family and I returned last week from a stint in Rome. We were there so I could lead a study abroad. This wasn’t our first time, but it was our first time to live in Rome for two weeks. It was a delightful trip for many reasons — but it’s also why I missed my last post. You see, …
Fiction Friday: History Meets Fiction in Shadowed By Grace Video
This summer I got the privilege and joy of teaching 29 undergrads in Italy. Yes…I just typed that magical word…Italy. My family was based in Siena while I taught every day for two weeks. Then we had some flexibility as we split time between students and seeing a bit more of Italy…particularly Rome. This was an incredible trip…dream come true …
D-Day 70th Anniversary Tour: the Monuments Men
Welcome to the D-Day 70th Anniversary Blog Tour! I’m so glad you’ve joined us! Ten authors of Christian World War II novels are commemorating the brave men who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Thank you for joining us as we remember their heroism and sacrifice. Our novels illuminate different aspects of the war—from the Holocaust to …
The Real Monuments Men: Part 1
In Shadowed by Grace, I delved into the world of the Monuments Men in Italy. The movie that releases next week explores some of what this elite group did in France and Germany, while I recreated part of their job in Italy during WWII. Capturing life in Italy during WWII was quite a challenge. The photo shows just a few …
Vine: Have you tried it?
A friend showed me Vine a couple weeks ago, and the other day I downloaded the app. I tried to think of ways I could use it that would be fun and let you in to my writing world. So here’s my first attempt. What do you think? And if you’re on Vine, how do you use it? Any tips …
Engrossed in Tuscany
I’m at that delightful and terrifying stage of writing a book. The one where I wonder if I can do it. The story is so much bigger than I am. But the contract is on the way, so I get to write it. This book is one where I want to emphasize I. Get. To. Write. It. I first discovered …