Did you know September 10-16 is Chef Appreciation Week this year? How exciting is that?! I know, I know, it’s back-to-school season, but I’ve already written a back-to-school post. Yeah, I’ve already written a food post too, but this time I thought it would be fun to talk about those who fulfill our fictional food […]
Waiting for Fall + Excerpt
This summer, my town in Texas, USA has experienced 60+ days in a row of temperatures above 100 degrees. To say I’m ready for a reprieve is an understatement! This time of year, as I (im)patiently wait for the weather to turn lovely as fall creeps into the States, I always think about my book […]
Telltale Tropes + Giveaway
Mention tropes around a group of readers or writers and everyone seems to perk up a little. Folks often have strong opinions about the best and worst and readily give their opinion when asked. But what do our favorite tropes reveal about us? By definition, a trope is a particular theme an author uses in […]
What I Don’t Know (Could Hurt My Book)
I know all about love and moments that make your heart skip a beat. I’m familiar with the sights, sounds, and smells of Western North Carolina in every season. I can describe a variety of weather, characteristics, and emotions. So, when I’m writing a romance set in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the summer, I […]
Writers in the Wild
Have you ever met a writer in the wild? Recently, Facebook reminded me of the one-year anniversary of a time I ventured into the wild, and outside of my comfort zone, to talk to people about my writing in person. It was both terrifying and taught me a lot about the extended opportunities and responsibilities […]
First Lines and Fresh Starts
Recently, I started drafting a new contemporary Christian romance book, thus ending a writing break that had lasted several months. The time off provided exactly what I’d needed—a chance to rest my creative muscles and not feel the need to produce. It was a lovely respite, but I knew the time would come that the […]
It’s Complicated: How Authors Really Feel About Their First Book
Confession: I don’t like my first book. I’m actually pretty embarrassed by it. Back in 2017 when I first wrote What Could Be, I was like a proud new first-time mama. My book baby was perfect. Beautiful. And certain to make its mark on the world. Aaaaaaand then I read it again months after I’d […]
Books That Make Us Think + Giveaway
Today in America is the National Day of Forgiveness. In a country where we’ve set aside days to celebrate trivial things like corned beef, scarves, and crushing cans (all also today!), I can actually get behind taking time to focus on forgiving others. Books, too, can serve as reminders for important themes that need attention […]
An Anniversary and Books with Mature Couples
Last month my husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary and I’m still feeling sappy about it. So, I hope you’ll indulge me another post inspired by my own real-life romance! With every year that passes, I appreciate more and more how romance changes and gets better with time. That’s not to say it’s been […]
Love Across the Miles (and Screens) + Giveaway
Last week, my husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. Naturally, a milestone like this has one reminiscing about beginnings. We first “met” back in the late 90s on AOL, but neither were looking for love. I was living in Florida and had recently decided to attend college in North Carolina. I wandered into […]