July has swept many changes into my world. Instead of writing, I’m editing. I’ve sent rejections to writers. But while I dashed their dreams, I gave them tips on what they needed to study and hopefully encouraged them. I’ve learned that editors aren’t mean wannabe writers who want to rewrite my book. I didn’t really […]
Front Matter, Back Matter, What Does It Matter? by Merrillee Whren
As you read the title of this post, are you wondering what I’m talking about? If you’re a writer, you know what I mean. If you are a reader and not a writer, do you know what this post is about? Just in case you might not know, I’ll explain. I’m hoping you will let […]
Why I Write Unlikeable Heroines
I promise you that the title of this post was not clickbait. :) According to a couple of my readers, I have written books with unlikeable heroines. Let me give you a few examples of what their reviews said: “I didn’t like (the heroine) very much, for a Christian, she was too judgemental.” “(The heroine) […]
A Forever Type of Romance
“Marriage is hard. It takes work. When you say those vows, you’re making a promise to God to stick to it, even when it gets rough. And it will get rough, but you can get through it if you work together.” This is the advice I gave to all three of my children and their […]
Character Interview #Giveaway
So since my latest release, The Cowboy’s Missing Memory is in stores as we speak, I thought today, I’d interview my characters. Hopefully, you’ll gain a little insight into what makes them tick, along with pictures I used as inspiration to create them. Lexie Parker – heroine Are you open to your own romance? I […]
Let Us Not Become Weary
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galations 6:9 (NIV) Do you ever feel like your efforts as a Christian aren’t yielding many results? The online church event you planned didn’t get many attendees, the person you’ve been […]
All I Wanna Do Is Dance! + Giveaways!
I’m currently working on the second in The Spencer Family series and a couple of days ago I found myself writing yet another dance scene. I just can’t seem to help myself. There’s no better feeling that being able to move your body to music without a care in the world about who might be […]
When It Rains It Pours #Giveaway
Blessings that is. I knew book two of my Hill Country Cowboys series was releasing in mid June and my backlist title, Counting on the Cowboy was re-releasing in a western collection in mid May. But I didn’t know the collection would be in Walmart. I didn’t even look. But my husband did. It was […]
Bring in the Sidekick + Giveaway
It may surprise some of you to know that the character I consider my most important to date is not one of my main characters. It’s Sheba Burris from Love’s Redemption. She’s a former alcoholic who works in a mid-grade restaurant. At first glance, she seems low key, but Sheba supports the lead female character […]
Top 10 Small-Town Book Vacations
There is something about small-town stories that I just love. The quirky characters, the picturesque settings, the sense of community! Since my summer vacation plans are on hold, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite fictional small towns due for a literary visit. I especially love when I can read many books set in one […]