Have you ever joined a new Bible Study or some other gathering when you’re told there’s about to be an ice breaker? I hear all you introverts groaning out there! 😅 Truthfully, I’ve felt the same way, and yet … those little games can help a room full of strangers start talking, and even become […]
Once upon a time ….
I wrote a series about five siblings who inherited a beach house—with a catch! That was in 2020 … and we all know what happened that year. Life was turbulent so I decided to do something different: I released all five books under a pen name. I did this mainly because I was experimenting—the stories were […]
What’s Your Excuse? #Giveaway
I’ve been feeling a little “under the weather” as my mother still puts it, so that means … reading. I’m smiling as I write that because, let’s be real, readers like us can find any excuse to read. Am I right? It’s dark outside. It’s light outside. It’s cold. It’s warm. It’s windy. No reason […]
Wishing You a Merry Sea Glass Christmas!
Have you ever felt invisible? Trace Murphy knows what that feels like, too. She’s been the head concierge at Sea Glass Inn for more than ten years but has recently begun to notice that the staff sometimes takes her for granted … So, this Christmas, Trace Murphy has put everyone around her on the naughty […]
Escape to … Italia
Seven years ago, we traveled through Northern Italy. Have you ever been? Even now, I can shut my eyes and remember the aromas of truffle oil and garlic that saturated the air around our apartment in Florence. So heavenly! What does this have to do with writing novels? Everything. You see, at the time, I […]
Are you a dog lover?
Shortly after Christmas, my husband Dan and I adopted a pup from a surprise litter at a rescue organization. We both love dogs, so how hard could a brand-new puppy be? Oh. My. Word. (Stop laughing!) Needless to say, we spent the first few months of 2022 exhausted as Dancer, aka Dani, trained us to […]
Fiction that Makes You Wonder: How Much is True?
Are you like me? Do you find yourself Googling Did that really happen? while reading a book or watching a movie or TV show that has roots in real life? (I’m looking at you,The Crown). That’s one reason why my novel, Chasing Valentino, was such a kick to write. The book’s setting is Hollywood by the […]
Meeting THE Debbie Macomber
Growing up, my mom was a writer. She sold stories to Sunday school curriculum and magazines, and I’d always get autographed books in my stocking that she’d pick up at writing conferences. We also shared novels, and one novel we both loved was Rainy Day Kisses by Debbie Macomber. Well, my mom wrote to Debbie, […]
Brewed with Love
Have you have had a season in your life when it felt like everything moved at the speed of light and if you didn’t move along with it you’d get left behind? Well, I’m not to that extreme, but I feel like I’ve been riding a roller coaster that hasn’t stopped since November. That’s not […]
So I Have This Thing for Puppies
Happy National Puppy Day! Yep, it’s a thing. How fitting that I’m blogging today, because I definitely have a thing for puppies. Apparently I’m not alone in my obsession affection for these furry friends, either. According to this article in Forbes, the ASPCA estimates 44% of American households own a dog. The American Pet Products Association says […]