“If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” T.S. Eliot (188-1965), poet My son Josh isn’t afraid of a challenge. On Sunday, May 6, Josh ran the Spartan Race, a 5 mile race, complete with some crazy obstacles. Imagine climbing wooden walls slicked with mud and soap. Yeah, that’s ironic, isn’t it? And …
In My Words: Celebrating Friendships & My Debut Novel
Look carefully at that photo and you’ll see I’m holding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 stars! And while I’m committed to unhitching my wagon from the stars — not making my writing career about reviews — I will treasure those 5 stars forever. I am blessed — yep, blessed is the absolutely best word — to be part of the …
Wish You Were Here: What’s Up with the Llamas?
So, let’s talk llamas. I know, I know. I write romance. I should be introducing you to the hero in my debut novel, Wish You Were Here. But the llamas — Kuzko, Pacha and Banzai — have have always attracted a bit of attention along the way to publication. The conversation usually goes like this: Interested person: So what’s your …
Wish You Were Here & One of My Favorite Things: Photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen
httpv://youtu.be/apXX4seSwyc During today’s two minute vlog I introduce you to one of my favorite things: the nature photography of Thomas Mangelsen. As I say in the vlog, one of the fun things about being a novelist is including things I love in my novels. And when I wrote my debut novel, Wish You Were Here, I decided to slip one …
Romance & Wish You Were Here & Llamas
Yes, that’s me playing “get to know you” with a llama. Ah, the things novelists do for the sake of research. What do llamas have to do with inspirational contemporary romance? Some would say nothing. But since I am the author of Wish You Were Here, I would say llamas add a whole other layer of fun to a …
In Others’ Words: Travel
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” ~Saint Augustine I’ve always thought that if I came into a large sum of money — I’m talking a never-could-have-imagined amount — I would travel. A lot. Yes, I would give lots of it to ministries I believe in. And then I would travel. First …
It’s a Real Book: Wish You Were Here is here!
A package arrived at my house on Tuesday — two packages, actually. In one was a copy of my debut novel, Wish You Were Here, with a note from my editor, Jessica Wong, saying the book was “hot off the presses.” That’s a cliche any author will embrace. The second package contained several additional copies of my novel — but …
In Others’ Words: Laughter
“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.” ~L.M. Montgomery, author, Anne of Greene Gables Yep. That’s a photo of me … laughing so hard something’s probably trying to come out my nose. And, yes, it’s during a game night with some of our best game night buddies, our friends “The Martys.” I am a …
The 2012 Oscar winner for animated short film: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
httpv://youtu.be/Adzywe9xeIU My son, Josh, who is also a writer and an editor, shared this absolutely delightful video with me: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. It’s 15 minutes long — but oh, those 15 minutes went by so quickly. Enjoy.
In Others’ Words: Color
“I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns.” ~Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman Green is my all-time favorite color. Not any-old green — a vivid, forest green. My living room and dining room are both painted a lush green … and I have no plans to …