A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To a Story

, by

“She’s cute, and perky, and all the things I’m not.” That’s how my real life persona, Donna Schlachter, describes me. I’m not sure why, because she’s a pretty swell person herself. Still, I suspect it’s because she likes to live vicariously through me. Kind of like a split personality. Maybe all authors are that way. We live our lives through our characters. Putting them in situations most of us would never experience. When I wrote the first book in this series, I had a character, an occupation, and a murder—but I didn’t know whodunit, or why. I got to within two…

Read More

A Chat with Author Dianne Neal Matthews

, by

Welcome, readers. Davalynn Spencer from Colorado here, where it’s snowy and Christmassy already. Please welcome today’s featured author, Dianne Neal Matthews. Dianne, please give us a quick overview of your book Daily Encouragement for the Smart Stepfamily. Daily Encouragement for the Smart Stepfamily offers a daily dose of encouragement and wisdom for your stepfamily journey. Topics include parenting and step-parenting, strengthening your marriage, grief in the stepfamily, bonding with children, co-parenting with exes, and practical wisdom for bringing family members together. This already sounds like a book someone in my family would benefit from, Dianne. What led you to write…

Read More

Making Holiday Memories

, by

Making Holiday Memories Thanksgiving was a traditional family gathering at my in-laws’ home. The siblings came from near and far with their families. Entering the snowy driveway, we’d see the house with seven gables high on the hill. The roar of snowmobiles coming from the fields nearby let us know nieces and nephews were enjoying Grandpa’s toys. Beautiful horses galloped in the fields near the red barn. Approaching the house, we caught a whiff of the baking turkey; then Grandma opened the door and lavished us with hugs. As we sat at the table beautifully set with china and crystal,…

Read More