Hi friend ~ It’s back-to-school over our way! That’s right—we moved college gal back to the dorm last weekend, and like many of you, we’re in another season of transition. Whew. Who knew back-to-school month could be so exhausting? We’re now in the readjustment phase. Our baby chick is settled again on campus, and my husband and I have resumed …
Summer Update
Hi friend! It’s great to be with you for a little while today! Summer is in full-swing in the Ozarks, and as you may remember, I have much going on. Because of summer busyness, I’ve taken a bit of a blogging break, but I hope to resume my normal schedule soon. College gal’s home so that means catching up on …
The Ozarks and the Stories That Live There
Rich in heritage and unique in culture, The Ozarks region is a place like no other. Amidst a lush backdrop of rolling hills and hidden hollows, stories abound. Some remain elusive while others beg to be shared. In Her Hope Discovered, book one of my Welcome to Ruby series, Charla and Sam’s story takes center stage as they reconcile the …
10 Reasons to Make Ruby Your New Home Town
Recently I shared with my friend Ann Gabhart how my Ozarkian roots influenced my début novel Her Hope Discovered. Here’s a snippet of what I said: You might guess that family is very important to me. So is my heritage and the region where I was born and raised. The Ozarks are where “my people” are. When we’re children, I …
What’s the Hardest Thing a Debut Author Faces?
I’ve toyed with writing today’s blog post for months. To be honest, it’s a little unnerving laying bare those hurdles and milestones a début author faces. I strive to encourage and motivate while also sharing a little wit, wisdom, and reality. In other words—I refuse to be a Persimmon Polly in this world where ugly rhetoric is too often the …
Let’s Celebrate! Ring in the New Year with HER HOPE DISCOVERED
Today as Christmas 2018 winds down, I pray you and yours have enjoyed a fantastic holiday season filled with loads of love and good cheer! Over our way, we celebrated the birth of our Savior with family and friends. We attended church events and dinners, made new memories, and savored fun, food, and fellowship with loved ones. As usual, Christmas …
A Holiday Book Launch ~ What Really Goes Through an Author’s Mind
For a début novelist, launching a book at the holiday season is a bit like birthing a baby on a roller coaster surrounded by sugar-plum fairies and candy canes…and wondering if anyone’s watching. Think: elation meets sheer panic. While an author’s first (published) book is a triumphant accomplishment, it’s also a season of utter exhaustion and terror. (Click-to-Tweet) We’re excited …
HER HOPE DISCOVERED: A Behind-the-Scenes Peek
Recently I shared a little of the book launch process with you. Today I thought you might enjoy learning a little more about Her Hope Discovered, book one in my Welcome to Ruby series. It’s a bitter-cold day here in the Ozarks, but let’s warm up with a cup of coffee and draw back the curtain on our little fictional …
Go-for-Launch… It Happens Soon!
For an author, there are few things as exciting as her first book launch. Add to that the holiday hustle and bustle and all the giddiness that surrounds this wonderful season of giving, and you have the perfect recipe for the best Christmas ever. This bookish dream is about to become a reality! It’s a time of expectancy and delight …
October Housekeeping and the Birth of a Book Baby
There are some seasons that linger and dance around the fringe of our subconscious while others slip quietly past and yield, with some reluctance, to the next one in line. (Click-to-Tweet) Spring and summer were both of those for me. Now October’s here and I’m back in the blogging saddle and about to birth a book baby! (Say that one …