Even after eight published novels (and a drawer full of unpublished ones), hearing your book has arrived in the publishing warehouse is still a thrill. And my head editor was thoughtful enough to send an email saying she’d just received her copy of The Lacemaker and was very pleased to be publishing it. I should get my copy any minute …
Log Cabin Living
The other day I came across an interesting article that asked people about their dream house. I was surprised to find that a majority of people said they’d like to live in a log cabin. Really? Since we live in one, I had to chuckle. Maybe folks mean a log home that has towering beams, huge windows, multiple porches and …
Light, White Chicken Chili ~ and Cornbread
Light, White Chicken Chili Ingredients: 6 cups chicken broth 3 cups leftover diced rotisserie chicken 2 (15-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, drained 2 cups salsa verde 1 teaspoon ground cumin Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Chopped fresh cilantro leaves Directions: Heat a large soup kettle or Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in chicken broth, chicken, beans, salsa …
God of the Details
Some of us are raised singing ‘Jesus Loves Me’ and also memorize the remarkable verse, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Luke 12:7) Yet I tend to be surprised when God delights me, even reminds me, of just how true that is. He really is the Lord of the details… Long ago when I was a …
Out & About
A busy year of travel is coming to an end with two events to finish out October… So happy to be joining Branches Book Club in Louisville, Kentucky to discuss books, savor some Kentucky-themed foods and enjoy a time of fellowship! I’ll be bringing bookmarks and other goodies to share as we talk about my last and next releases. Honored …
Retreat
You are my place of quiet retreat. Psalm 119:114 Nothing quite like taking a road trip to Tennessee in October! Appalachia is truly a queen with her fall color. You just have to look down this beautiful lane to see it’s so. I love fall for many reasons, one of which is retreating to outer Nashville where my friend and …
My Kentucky Kitchen
Ingredients: 2 large Granny Smith Apples 2 cans (8 Oz. Cans) Crescent Rolls 2 sticks Butter 1-1/2 cup Sugar 1 teaspoon Vanilla Cinnamon, To Taste 1 can (12 Oz.) Mountain Dew Soda Peel and core apples. Cut each apple into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan. Melt …
Ask an author
Recently my agent, Janet Grant, Books&Such Literary, posed some questions on her blog that I thought might be fun to answer if you’re interested. Here goes… *Where did the idea for The Lacemaker come from? A few years ago, my two boys bought me Felicity, an American Girl doll. Since I don’t have a daughter, this is the next best …
Here Come the Brides!
Every once in a while a cover comes along that makes me pause, inhale, and wish that it was mine. In this case, an entire series! I’m usually drawn to cover art that reflects the century I love best – the 18th. Since I was small and watched that classic historical drama “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” anything bride-related makes …
A peek inside The Lacemaker…
The Schuyler Mansion One of my favorite things when writing a novel is creating an evocative setting. My next historical, The Lacemaker, is a tale about a home as much as it is about people. While there are many beautiful places in the colonial period, one is a shining example of all that is unusually beautiful and artistic, even breathtaking, …