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 …
The Christy Awards
I’m so honored to find The Belle of Chatham among the finalists for the renowned Christy Award! My first Christy final was for Love’s Reckoning back in 2013. I remember sitting beside my agent at that glittering gala in St. Louis. Though I didn’t win, simply being a finalist felt like such a gift. Fast-forward a few years, and …
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, …
The Pages
I’m reading through the pages for Belle as I call this novel set in 1777. Dear to my heart, here’s the gist of it: A tale of courtship & marriage, duty versus desire, faith & forgiveness. We’re up to novel 17 now aside from my 2 novellas. It’s truly amazing that each book is a small universe or world of …
The Belle of Chatham
A tale of courtship & marriage, duty versus desire, faith & forgiveness. Releases January 2026 from Revell Books *Preorder from your favorite bookseller
Books & such!
We’re now well into 2025 & this is my busiest – & hopefully best – writing year yet. Not much time for relaxing though I’m dreaming of a bookish picnic reminiscent of my childhood Kentucky days. My current chilly, damp Pacific Northwest life keeps me near the fireplace till June. Such is the fate of a sun-loving, southern expat! Since …
Daughters of the American Revolution & KSDAR Reading List
I’m thrilled to learn The Seamstress of Acadie has been chosen for the Kentucky Society Daughters of the American Revolution reading list for 2024. As a DAR member, this is meaningful to me on so many levels. I’m also a huge devotee of DAR’s American Spirit magazine which is beautifully done & award winning. Many Americans have Patriots in their lineage …
Patriots, Ancestry, & Books
Rarely do I speak but the DAR – Daughters of the American Revolution – is dear to my heart. The ladies of Franklin – and a few gentlemen! – welcomed me warmly in a special meeting for their Old Glory Chapter. I’m blessed several of them have taken time for my books. I gave a brief talk which was followed …







