On July 28, 2024, I married the man of my dreams. I met Brad on New Years Eve 2023 at my sister’s NYE party, so it seemed appropriate for her to officiate at our wedding. We didn’t want a traditional wedding – we’ve both done that before. Instead, we wanted to have a party with a few close friends and …
Amish, Anyone?
I always swore I would not write an Amish book. So many authors have done a fabulous job with that genre, and I didn’t feel like I had anything significant to add. But my brother-in-law was raised Amish, and I helped him publish his memoir (The Wild One). My editor at Harvest House Publishers knew that, and one day I got a …
A Fresh Start
Today begins a fresh start – on a new book, that is. I’ve been contracted to write a book in an upcoming series published by Guideposts Books called “The Secrets of Blackberry Valley.” This series is going to hold a special place among the others in my bio because it is set in a small town in Kentucky! I’ll be …
Stepping Out of Darkness
Last year I lost my husband of 32 years. His death was tragic, but not completely unexpected. He’d been sick with a devastating autoimmune condition for a long time, and his health declined rapidly during the last few years of his life. Caring for him became a full-time job, one I will never regret doing. Our last months together are …
Sappy Christmas Movie Summary
If you’re my friend on Facebook, or if you follow my blog, you know I’ve been watching and reviewing Christmas movies. In the past, December was what my husband and I called “sappy Christmas movie month.” I decided to continue our tradition, in Ted’s honor. Here’s a recap of my movie ratings on a scale of 1 (terrible) to 10 …
Sappy Christmas Movie Reviews #2
Continuing my review of Christmas movies. The Christmas Secret The struggling single mother of two adorable kids saves a stranger’s life, and is therefore late for work. She then loses her job, and her ex-husband threatens to take the kids away from her. Sounds like a real downer doesn’t it? The acting is really good, so her struggles are vivid. But …
Sappy Christmas Movie Reviews #1
In the past, December was a month when Ted and I would sit together and watch sappy Christmas movies. Most of the time he watched westerns, and I was totally not interested. But in December we had an agreement and we watched heartwarming love stories together. Watching movies this year is kind of like being with Ted again. I miss …
Surviving the Holidays
For those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, navigating the holidays can be like tiptoeing through a landmine. Three big ones come one right after another – Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s. BAM! BAM! BAM! Memories erupt unexpectedly, and some feel like punches in the gut. I lost my husband, Ted, in July. Since then the holiday season …
Blarney Castle, Ireland
October 2, 2023 was the culmination of the Ireland trip for me. The whole reason I wanted to come to Ireland. As some of you know, I have three books coming out starting next August 2024, that are set in Ireland. In Blarney, to be specific. Today we visited Blarney! Oh my gosh, it was so amazing. Especially Blarney Castle! …
Ireland!!!
Back in early 2020 I received a book contract from Annie’s Publishers, a direct-to-consumer book club publisher. I love Annie’s. My editors there have been awesome and amazing, and I’ve published more than 10 books with Annie’s. Anyway, my editor said they were considering launching a book club mystery series set in Ireland. The main character would be a woman born in …