“What I have seen, what I have done, it has changed me. I am the place where two rivers meet, silted with upheaval and loss.” The opening prologue of Burning Sky sets the tone for this beautiful frontier novel by debut author, Lori Benton. I was instantly captured by the truth of these words. What we … Read More
Visiting the setting of Mistaken
We traveled north to Port Angeles, Washington this week for a family reunion, and I had the opportunity to revisit some of the locations I used in MISTAKEN. For those of you who have read the book, I thought you might enjoy seeing how these places look today. Above, I’m posing on the lovely walkway … Read More
Old-Time Soda Fountain Drinks @Home: Strawberry Ice Cream Soda
While writing my Prohibition-era romance novel, Mistaken, I did plenty of research on 1920s soda fountains. And tasty research it was, too! After some trial & error, I’ve collected some basic recipes so we can make them at home. Today we’re looking at one of my favorites, the strawberry ice cream soda. The drink is similar … Read More
Old-Time Soda Fountain Drinks @Home: The Brown Cow
While writing my Prohibition-era novel, Mistaken, I did plenty of research on 1920s soda fountains. And tasty research it was, too! If you’ve always wanted to sample some of these old favorites, you’re in luck. I’m going to be running a series of posts on old-time soda fountain recipes you can make @home. Just so … Read More
5 Ways to Help an Author
A lot of friends have asked, “How can I help you get the word out about Mistaken?”With millions of books being published (as many as 3,000,000 in 2012 according to one source), “disoverability” is key. How does a new author hope to get their book into the hands of readers? To help an author you admire, … Read More
Happy Birthday, MISTAKEN!
Happy Birthday, MISTAKEN! Today is the official release day for my debut novel, Mistaken. It’s a bit surreal walking into a bookstore and seeing my novel sitting on the shelf. When you first start writing, you dream about this moment, but the rest of the process seems very private. You sit and daydream the story, … Read More
The Great Gatsby, Mistaken, and Hope
“…It was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely I shall ever find again.” The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald. Gatsby–a man of hope? I walked out of the theater feeling anything but hopeful. A verse of scripture … Read More
Friday Book Pick (and bonus interview!): THE HEART STONE by Sherry Kyle
I love reading novels that feel like they reflect the seasons, and as summer begins, my thoughts always turns to the beach. I recently finished reading The Heart Stone by author Sherry Kyle, and this lovely California novel was as pleasant as a walk on the shore. Sherry Kyle is a friend of mine, so as … Read More
When Waiting Turns to Celebrating: Contract #2
Most authors will tell you, the road to publishing is long and slow. They’re right. You write your heart out, and then you wait. And wait. And W-A-I-T. There’s much to do during the wait–editing, revising, submitting, recovering from rejections, rewriting, submitting again, learning, praying, hoping. And sometimes when the drought ends . . . … Read More
Friday Book Pick: ADORING ADDIE by Leslie Gould
At the risk of sounding like a bad television commercial–this summer is going to be HOT. There are so many great Christian novels coming out this summer, my to-read stack is growing dangerously tall. I’ve warned my little dachshund not to get too close, or she might find herself caught in an avalanche. One novel … Read More