Christmas in July
An 1801 portrait by Rembrandt Peale It’s truly Christmas in July for me as I’m close to turning in my first holiday novella to my publisher, Revell. I have a love for this story like no other {though I think I say that about every novel when I’m in the thick of it}. But I do adore this joyful, poignant, …
Inspired by readers
It’s a joy to hear from readers about my novels. This landed in my inbox recently & made me look at writing differently. A kindred spirit here. So thankful she found my books in the sea of them out there. Thank you, thank you.
Happy 250th birthday, America!
A blessed holiday to the greatest country on earth. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. -Psalm 33:12
England in June
June was a whirlwind & I’m so happy to be home! I was in England, London particularly, when the heat rose to record temps there. While I didn’t enjoy that & missed their usual temperate weather, I did enjoy all the lush roses. Highlights were tea at the Pump Room in Bath, Cornwall, touring several grand estates, & savoring the …
Dutch & German editions!
I wish someone had told my seven year old self when I started writing stories that someday my words would travel around the world & I’d be a “paper missionary” as Janette Oke said of Christian writers not long ago. Now, grown up me is absolutely amazed & delighted when foreign language editions of my novels come into being. Aren’t …
HIStory Tour!
It’s not till next year but we’re SO excited to bring this tour to history-loving friends! To learn more, visit this site & sign up to hold your place. Details & link are also on my homepage. Or call the #800 number to talk w/ a tour company/ACTs representative. More details to come…!
Everyday Gospel
A beloved Bible passage is 1 Thessalonians 4 “… to aspire to live quietly, & to mind your own affairs, & to work with your hands …” Recently I came across this devotional from one of my favorite authors, Paul David Tripp. I highly recommend his devotional books. This is from Everyday Gospel: “For many of us, social media dictates how …
Spring has almost sprung!
March is nearly here along with a spring forward adjustment to the clock which steals an hour of reading away! I’m dreaming of planting a little colonial garden but it’s too soon here in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve experienced one of the mildest winters on record. Rhododendron bushes were actually blooming in December! I missed our usual, beautiful snow, since …
Bronwyn & the mystery of the Battle of Great Bridge
Creativity is such a fascinating thing. One idea or research trail leads to another. Often novels birth more novels. As I wrote The Belle of Chatham, our hero’s sister, Bronwyn Harlow, materialized in my mind. Often these characters are unbidden & unplanned. They just appear in a scene & start talking or doing, especially if you’re not a novel planner …