Why would a Tennessee girl write about a Virginia plant? Two reasons—unlike the others I’m highlighting, this one does well in full sun, but does even better in partial shade—or does “dappled light” sound writerlier? These garden perennials also bloom early in the spring, so you get some color alongside daffodils, hosta, Solomon’s Seal, and ferns. But their blooms are …
Most of us have heard of the health benefits of Echinacea, but did you know this medicinal herb came from a very popular, versatile flower genus? Echinacea genus is a member of the daisy or Asteraceae (asters) family. There are several species within this genus, and most are more commonly known as coneflowers. Interestingly, the word Echinacea comes from the …
I realize irises are not an uncommon flower, but since it’s the Tennessee state flower, I’d be remiss in not writing a post about this popular perennial. The first time I had irises in my own yard was when I married Chris and moved into his Northern California cabin sitting on twenty acres. There weren’t any irises in the “yard” …
You might be wondering what motivated me to write about popular Middle Tennessee plants this week. My Bedford County Novella releases on the 18th, and since main character Alyssa Mitchell is a landscape architect (that’s a fancy name for gardener), I thought it would be fun to share some of my newly acquired plant knowledge. The yard is my happy …
Itty Bitty Faith. It’s the title for my Bedford County novella which will be releasing next Tuesday (the 18th). Just giving you a little preview of what’s to come starting Wednesday with my countdown release posts. Alyssa Mitchell is the star of this book, and she is a landscape architect (which is a fancy way of saying she’s a glorified …
My favorite part of facilitating Between the Lines: Of Contemporary Christian Fiction is meeting new authors. Everyone has their unique writing journey, quirks, routines, and God-stories. It turns out that many of these authors write across genres, which means they may have a historical fiction/romance series as well as a contemporary one. This is why I’ve decided to not limit …
About the Book Book: Relinquished Author: Susan K. Beatty Genre: Christian Woman’s Fiction Release date: May 16, 2023 No one takes her kid and gets away with it. When Teagan Parsons discovers that the Amber Alert on a celebrity couple’s child is actually her daughter, she’s determined to rescue the daughter she relinquished years ago. If she’d only realized the …
I’m sure you’ve heard of restless leg syndrome. It’s a neurological disorder that causes unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations in your leg and an irresistible urge to move them. It’s considered a sleeping disorder, because the symptoms are triggered by resting and attempting to sleep—instead, those suffering from it are forced to move their legs, thereby unable to sleep. But have …
Jeanette’s Gift, by Blossom Turner is book five of her Shenandoah Bride Series. I’ve read the previous four—Katherine’s Arrangement, Amelia’s Heartsong, Lucinda’s Defender, and Gracie’s Surrender. Five sisters, five stories. But I think Jeanette’s Gift is my favorite. Maybe it’s because, like Jeanette, I felt like the ugly duckling in my family growing up. Historical romance is probably the favorite genre among women, but Jeanette’s …
“It’s not my fault!” How many times have you heard that come out of your kids’ mouths—or sadly, even some adults? It was my daughter’s favorite line for a couple of years when she was young. As frustrating as it was, it afforded me a teaching opportunity. “I’m not casting blame here, Nikki,” I’d say with a forced smile. Or …
