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Appalachian Thursday–West Virginia Day
Tomorrow is West Virginia Day–the state’s 151st birthday. Once part of Virginia, western Virginia became its own state in 1863. Many residents of Virginia who lived west of the Allegheny Mountains weren’t happy when the state seceded from the Union in 1861....
Am I an Old Fogey?
When I was a kid the unspoken rule was that girls wore dresses to church. Around the time I was eight, I got bold and dressed for church in a pair of slacks. When Dad told me to go put on a skirt I told him with GREAT confidence that God didn't care what I wore. Dad...
Appalachian Thursday–Found Family
One of the really fun things about getting my name out there through my novels is hearing from readers. And quite possibly the best reader connection so far has been with my cousin Cathy. Turns out our great (or is it great great?) Grandpas Oscar and Sylvester Loudin...
The Ratings Game OR Why I Love 2 Stars
You may have heard that my novella released last Tuesday. It was a bit of a surprise--I thought it would release later in the month, but I was happy to jump on the promotions bandwagon to get the word out. And the word got out! When I first admired the post on Amazon,...
Appalachian Serenade–Free on Kindle!
I had a pretty good idea that my novella would release sometime in June, but I didn't know when. On Tuesday afternoon it appeared on Amazon and on Wednesday folks could start reading it! How exciting and scary all at once! Normally, I get to sort of string a debut...
The Miracle Called Spring
While fall has long been my favorite time of year, spring comes in a close second. I do my best novel plotting whilst walking in the woods and April-May-June provide an ever-changing palette of flowers for inspiration. Mountain laurel, lady's slippers, wild geranium,...
Appalachian Thursday–Graham Cracker Pie
I was thinking about having some friends over to celebrate WV Day (June 20) and wondered what I could make that's unique to my home state. Fried squirrel probably wouldn't go over very well, I'm serving beans and cornbread at my launch party, and I've never had a...
My First Review and I Feel Fine
Many of you likely read my blog post about the first rating for Miracle in a Dry Season on Goodreads--three stars--and how I was trying to be philosophical about it. So I thought I'd post my first written review which doesn't require me to be philosophical at all...
Meet Sarah
