February! I saw a meme that joked that January was the longest 547 days they’d ever seen. I can relate! We had one storm with a foot of snow. The Polar Vortex touched down in Ohio, and we saw temps as low as -14, with -27 wind chills. I’m ready for a change! It’s not […]
The Way to A Reader’s Heart…
Happy New Year! Are you someone that does resolutions? Goals? Perhaps you have a word for the year? I’m writing a little before Christmas because I’ll be traveling and I haven’t quite figured how I should tackle the new year. I can say that wellness has to be on my list. This is the first […]
Behind the Scenes at The Christmas Mansion +#giveaways
Hopefully by now you’ve grabbed your copy of the boxed set, A Christmas to Remember, and are completely in the holiday spirit thanks to the novellas. I thought I’d share a bit more about my story, Restoring Christmas, and the place that brings Holly Christmas back to Geneseo Valley: The Christmas Mansion. I tossed the […]
The Story Behind the Story: Harvest of Blessings
I became acquainted with June Foster a few years ago when I was starting out. We were in the same critique group at the time, and June was the most patient person ever mentoring me in showing versus telling. I love June’s books and her heart to use romance as she writes about tough issues. […]
The Inspiration Behind Restoring Christmas
When I thought about taking the step from writing as a hobby to a commitment toward publication, I didn’t dream of glamour, money, or having a cardboard replica of me and my bestseller at Barnes and Noble. No, I had one fantasy. I would be part of a Christmas collection. Earlier in my journey, I […]
Being Late Led Me To My Future Husband + #giveaway
I can’t believe it, but on this day 22 years ago, I was upstairs in our church loft, wedding gown on, ready to walk down the aisle, watching guests arrive and park across the street as I peeked out the small window. Organized to a fault, I’d padded the schedule to make sure nothing, no-thing, […]
Real-Life Romance: Angelina & Dale PLUS #GIVEAWAY
As an observer of people, I enjoy hearing tales of real-life romance. I confess I still watch the royal headlines because I am rooting for both of Princess Diana’s boys and their marriages. Recently, I learned of a real-life romance closer to home that is one of the most beautiful arrangements of God’s hand I’ve […]
Single Parent Characters
One of the many favorite aspects of writing contemporary romances is the unexpected twists and turns God gives when I write. Although I have a skeleton plot for each book sketched out, little details emerge that catch me by surprise. Often those small things develop and take a life of their own. One example is […]
Cultural Differences
It’s been nearly two weeks and I’m still reflecting on the royal wedding. A few people on Facebook asked why the nuptials between Prince Harry and former actress Meghan Markle are such a big deal, especially in America. I can’t say my answer is the universal one, but I’m interested in their story more than […]
Interview with Laura Hodges Poole
Julie here! I’m so excited to introduce you to my friend, Laura Hodges Poole. You might remember a few months ago I interviewed Laura Hilton from the critique group we belong to. Laura Poole is also in that group. Laura has a new release, and I loved it from the first chapter I critiqued. I […]