As a reader, my favorite plots twists are the kind I didn’t see coming … but that when I think back over the story, I realize, I should have seen them coming. The groundwork was all there, and if I had picked up on the subtle clues, I would have realized that things had to […]
Surprises…and a #giveaway
Last week, as I was sitting in my home office typing at my computer, I heard a weird noise. Now, we’ve only been in this house out in rural Missouri a couple of months, and I’m still getting used to things. During the day, I often hear noises that sound odd. For instance, our furnace […]
Hold Fast
I’ve just come home from a women’s retreat. The last time I saw most of these women in person was at last year’s women’s retreat about this time of year. Since then, all of our interaction has been via Zoom or Facebook groups. Our theme for the year comes from Hebrews 10: Let us hold […]
A Valentine Excerpt & Devotional
You might be surprised to learn that this romance author doesn’t love Valentine’s Day. Hold off on the pitchforks and mob for a sec, I’ll explain. I don’t love Valentine’s Day for the same reason I don’t love Mother’s Day. See, my mom always used to tell us that while she appreciated the nice things […]
20 Silver Linings From 2020 (and inspiration for 2021)
Dumpster fire. Unprecedented. The year of the introvert. I’ve heard a lot of ways to describe 2020, many more colorful than the next. And let’s face it, none of us were really all that sad to leave it behind as we welcomed the new year while praying—hard—that 2021 will restore every hope that was dashed […]
The Greatest Story Ever Told by Merrillee Whren
During this time of year many of us are wrapped up in Christmas and the activities surrounding the celebration of the birth of Jesus. This year might look a little different with fewer parties and get togethers with friends and family. In fact some may not share the holidays with anyone at all. Maybe that […]
The Fruits of Faith and Peace
I’ve been a Christian so long that, at times, it’s been easy to take my faith for granted. Dry seasons, wandering seasons, passionately in love with Him seasons. Every frustrating dry season when I long to hear His voice but for some reason can’t inevitably ends up with a hard self-examination and facing my need […]
Holding Hands
Every Christian romance has several firsts: first time the hero and heroine meet, first date, first kiss. But of all the “first” moments, one of my favorites to write is the first time the hero and heroine hold hands. It’s a seemingly small and simple gesture, but there’s just something about it that makes my […]
Seasons Come, Seasons Go
In the order of most favorite to least, what are your preferred seasons in real life? What about in the novels you read? Spring Summer Fall (Autumn) Winter Growing up only ten minutes away from the beach, I’ve always preferred the summer myself, but I do like the changing seasons. Here are my favorites in […]
Why I Write Christian Romances with a Hardback Series Giveaway
My well was dry this week. I finished writing Alexandra’s Appeal, and incredibly emotional, full-length novel on a Friday. Instead of taking my standard 2-weeks off to recharge my creative juices, I immediately started writing a Christmas novella, The Seven Year Glitch, because it’s due on September 1st. It’s been very hard to write that […]