I’m delighted to officially present to you my latest book, THE CHRISTMAS CABIN novella, and to share a few behind-the-scenes extra tidbits just for fun! If you’re anything like me, you find winter reading is a special treat with the promise of snuggling beneath a cozy blanket in a room lit by twinkling white lights, a chunky mug of steaming peppermint tea at the ready. Add a Christmas novella to this dreamy scenario and I think seasonal bookish perfection is found…

What’s not to love about the most colorful of seasons? Trees show off their extravagant display of glory before exhaling and covering the ground with fragments of beauty. Crisp, cozy, pumpkin spice everything and Thanksgiving holidays—but in the fall flurry, can we pause for just a moment? Wide-eyed and open-hearted, let’s lean in and listen as we try paying attention to autumn…

Writerly friends—this is what we’ve been waiting for… in-person writing conferences! And hope*writers are pulling out all the stops in November for their conference in North Carolina. Even the most introverted among us (ahem) are chomping at the bit in anticipation of gathering with like-minded creatives longing to balance the art of writing with the business of publishing. PLUS, I’m delighted to be one of the “breakout facilitators” as well as a certified hope*writers coach and can’t wait to meet with real-life writers! I’ll try not to gush too much, but here are the details:

Don’t you just love experiencing something delightful and delicious and then thinking, “Hey, I could totally do that at home!”? This week, I enjoyed a beautiful high tea at a new-to-me whimsical tea house called Neverland, which reminded me of an article I wrote a while ago, published by The Joyful Life Magazine. Is there anything better to pair with the reading life than tea and cakes? Obviously not! So, I thought “How to be a High Tea Hostess” may contain some helpful nuggets for YOU, dear friend, especially if you’re planning a party, shower, or gathering at home this summer…

With summer upon us and little ones to amuse for weeks on end, I thought some fabulous picture book suggestions might be appreciated… plus, a GIVEAWAY! Sweet reads to ignite tiny imaginations, encourage questions and conversations, and occupy at least some of the time in meaningful ways. Check out these six summer picture books and a giveaway:

I know, I know—there is a gazillion podcasts on every conceivable topic out there all clamoring for our ears! But to help with the overwhelm, today I’ve selected my current fave five specifically for writers and readers…

Whether you’re a writer, a painter, a mother, a lawyer, a nurse, or anything else in this wild old world—you are a creative. You may utilize your creativity in your workday, in the kitchen, in the boardroom, or in a hundred other places. Sometimes it’s a joy and sometimes it’s exhausting. If you’re like me, sometimes you overthink it. And perhaps right now you need someone to offer you a (virtual) warm hug with a fancy iced latte, along with six simple springboards for your creativity…

TEN YEARS. This month marks 10 years since my very first book was published. 10 years that I’ve been an actual author. It’s been an unpredictable whirlwind of 8 books, a handful of anthologies, and several hundred articles, stories, and Bible devotions published—what a decade! But why should we take time to celebrate milestones? Isn’t it rather haughty? 🙃 Allow me to share 10 reasons why we should ALL celebrate milestones…

With Easter just around the corner, you may be looking for some gift ideas for the littles in your life… something with a little less sugar a little more substance, perhaps? You know I’m all about BOOKS being the very best gifts for all ages, and my prolific author-friend, Glenys Nellist, has a brand-new padded board book, SNUGGLE TIME EASTER STORIES, which ticks all the boxes and is something a young reader will come back to time and again. Plus, the publisher has given me the opportunity to gift a copy to one of you in my giveaway! 

Because we’re friends 🤗  I’m just going to confess up front that “waiting” is not my strong suit. Patience is not my proficiency. Delay is not my darling. But I think for all of us, the past couple of years has been a tough season of waiting. Waiting for change, for health, for travel, for normality, and the like. And while we may be tempted to throw out hands in the air in utter frustration, perhaps we would benefit more from gently cupping those hands and holding onto the “waiting” with utmost care—like we would a fragile bird’s egg. That “incubation period” of the prolonged pause is precious, full of promise, a time to learn and grow and allow God to work. And this is why waiting matters…