So proud of our Army Ranger!

This weekend our youngest son, Paul, graduated as an Army Ranger at Fort Benning in Georgia, & we couldn’t be prouder. Such an incredible accomplishment—& such a joy to celebrate! Blackhawk helicopters over Victory Pond, rappelling soldiers on the Ranger Tower, live-fire tactical maneuvers & far more were truly amazing.

There’s a special connection to my own historical fiction that makes this even more meaningful. The hero of my novel The Seamstress of Acadie is inspired by the history & founding of Rogers’ Rangers, those legendary 18th-century frontier warriors. Paul has no idea about the connection—he doesn’t read historical romance;)

But honestly? I much prefer real-life Army Rangers.

So much respect for our military, our warriors, & the sacrifices they make to serve & protect our country.

Congratulations, Paul, & those graduating soldiers who endured what is considered to be the most difficult military training in the world. We are SO proud of you!

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I love this reminder of just who God is. THE author. Not just of creation but our faith. Every good & perfect gift is from above. He is love. Light. Hope. Eternity. And so much more.

Amen.

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I got so tickled—tickled pink, or rather indigo!—when an author friend sent me this review she’d come across for one of my novels.

I tend to avoid reviews, though I know some authors read theirs carefully to learn how they might improve their writing. I’ve simply found that what one reader loves, another may loathe, so I don’t find reviews particularly instructive in that regard. Reading is so subjective.

I don’t enjoy sushi, but my boys love it. That doesn’t make sushi inherently good or bad—it simply means it isn’t to my taste. Reading is much the same.

That said, I deeply appreciate every positive review, even the very brief ones that simply tell me what a book meant to that particular reader. Those mean more than you know.

But every so often, a long—& in this case, lengthy—review comes along that is so delightful & hilarious that it simply begs to be shared.

I’m not sure which review site this came from, but thank you, thank you to the reader who took the time not only to read my book but then to craft such a stellar review. I do think there’s a book in you!

Juliet and Leith thank you, too. 💙

Thank you to all of you who take the time to post good reviews—or even gracious reviews when a particular book wasn’t quite your cup of tea. 

It truly is a way of helping share Christ’s message of redemption & hope.

If authors are “paper missionaries,” as Janette Oke so beautifully called them, then readers are bright lights shining clearly in a world of darkness (Philippians 2:15). Every thoughtful review helps make that light a little more visible, helping godly, edifying fiction reach another reader who may need the story—or the hope within it.

So thank you for reading, for sharing, & for being part of this little ministry of words. Your encouragement means more than I can express. 🤍

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Last spring in my newsletter I asked readers what future books they’d like for me to write. I had so many wonderful responses that were encouraging & inspiring! Then I met with my publisher, Revell, & do we have news for you! Back soon to share details. Just wanted to post this ahead of time in my excitement. So thankful for the gift of writing & open doors for bringing you historicals you love to read!

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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, festive tale & the history behind it as well as the historical setting. The painting above is a large reason why. He’s not the hero in this story though he grows up to be one in real life. I won’t spoil it by sharing too many details ahead of time but suffice it to say, I cannot wait to put this book in your hands September 2027. Below is an image I created while writing the first draft of the 200+ page novella…

Only 13 months & 10 days till release!

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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.

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Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

-Psalm 33:12

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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 delicious food! It was really fun spending time with fellow authors, too. That’s me on the left in blue with Audra Harder & Erica Vetsch.

Truly, there’s no place like home! Back to work I go…

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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 these covers incredible?

Thank you to my Dutch & German publishers! Thank you to the ultimate Author of the writing gift!

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