Welcome back. Today’s plantation has an unusual name, and from everything I’ve read, no one is sure how it came about. It’s the Rippavilla, and is located in Spring Hill, which is slightly southwest of Nashville. Built in 1855, this was the home of Nathaniel and Susan Cheairs. Here is a little interesting tidbit—Nathaniel was the youngest of ten children …

To kick off the release for my newest novel Shadow Dancing, I’m going to highlight a different Middle Tennessee Plantation over the next seven days. Even though my novels are in the contemporary genre, I think the rich Civil War history of this area is fascinating. You may recall that when Book 1 in my Bedford County Series released last …

If you would like the following discussion questions in a Word document to print at home, email me and I will be happy to send it to you!     Discussion Questions for Shadow Dancing What do you think of the book’s title? How does it relate to the story? If you were going to choose a different title, what …

  One of the main themes in Shadow Dancing is the struggle for main character Rebekah Casey to forgive her husband Mitch. I won’t tell you why, because it would be a major spoiler alert. In light of this, I thought it would be appropriate to a devotional on forgiveness for my readers. I’ve not only videotaped myself reading it …

As an author, I often use things from my past to give deeper meaning to my stories. In Illusions, the entire TBI/hospital experience was taken straight from my journals as I walked through the most terrifying experience I’d ever had with my daughter Nikki. I knew firsthand the steps from coma to rehabilitation because I lived it. In Night Songs, …

I know of writers who have every scene laid out before they ever start working on a novel—they’re called Plotters. Then there are others who fly completely by the seat of their pants. I bet you can guess what they’re called. Just in case you don’t get it (or just don’t want to play the game), let me tell you—Pantsers. …

My name is Rebekah Casey, and Jennifer Sienes asked could I share a little bit about myself for her blog. Maybe give y’all a little taste of who I am, and why she thought it a good idea to write my story. I’m not an educated woman, but I’ll do my best. I’ve lived in Shelbyville my whole life. That’s …

One of the major themes in Shadow Dancing is the grief over losing a child. I’ve suffered all kinds of grief, as has anyone who’s walked this earth. And although I had a season of great loss, (which you can read about on my website if you choose), I never lost a child to death. But friend and fellow author …

Titles. They’re kind of an important part of a book, don’t you think? Pride and Prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby…all classics. Of course, this might be why their titles are so memorable. Although, in my humble (and maybe biased opinion), who wouldn’t wonder about To Kill a Mockingbird? It fires up the imagination, draws the reader in, …