It has been a long time since I’ve done a book fair. It’s tempting to say, “Haven’t done one since before Covid,” but it was way before Covid. What can I say? I’m an introvert and a mom. Putting myself out there at a book fair hasn’t made it to the top of my priority list lately. Enter […]
Love, Faith, and Food: The Irresistible Recipe in Christian Romance Books
Hello, dear readers! Food often takes center stage in Christian romance novels, adding depth and flavor to the narrative. It isn’t just sustenance, but a symbol of love, community, and faith. Consider Francine Rivers’ “Redeeming Love.” Here, Angel’s love for cooking and the meals she prepares for Michael Hosea reflect her transformation and growing love. […]
A Day in the Life of an Author
Okay, fine, I can’t speak for anyone else. Also, my days are not all alike, of course! But this has morphed into something fairly typical. I do best with a schedule. Not everyone does! 7:00 — wake up! I don’t set an alarm, so this varies, but not usually by much. 7:01 — flip on […]
When Life Puts Clouds in Your Way
A few weeks ago, we were hit with one of those series of events where it felt like everything you’d worked for came to a crashing halt. We were hit on every front from health issues to financial fallout. All I wanted to do was fix it. I spent hours trying to figure out a […]
Five Recent Plot Twists in the Life of This Romance Writer
I know I’ve been doing a lot of cover reveals recently, but I’ve got another one. This is for the entire Resort to Love book set available on Kindle Unlimited. The five-book set includes my debut novel as well as the book made into a movie, so I’m kinda partial to it, but I understand […]
The Day I Met My Daughters
May is National Foster Care Month in the United States, and if you’ve followed me on any social media for a while, you’ll know that foster care and foster care adoption are subjects that are dear to my heart. Three of my children were adopted through foster care in 2013, and we fostered two other […]
Retreat!
Retreat!! Don’t we all love the word. I know for me, retreats are always special. They don’t happen often, but when they do I’m ready and willing. I’ve done spiritual retreats and writing retreats. They are both wonderful and an amazing way to reset and refocus. There are several reasons why I love going on […]
The Problem With Pets
I’ve got a problem with pets. It’s not that I don’t like them—I love animals, and we’ve had pets in the past. But all my memories of pets are linked to the pain of loss. It began when I was four. Following a major family crisis, my mother, siblings, and I were staying with my […]
Deadline Drama + #Giveaway
Early on in my writing career, I didn’t have any deadlines. I wrote when I could until I finished my first book. Then upon the advice of authors, I kept writing. As the years progressed, I made a habit of writing Monday through Friday while my children were at school. Add in the pleasure of […]
Shaking Off the Lies
You’re just a failure. The sooner you accept it, the better. Have you ever heard that voice in your head? The one that says you’re not good enough? Maybe, like Arleigh O’Neill, you heard the words out loud from someone who should have been there for you. Someone like a spouse or a beloved parent. […]