Welcome friends to the newly redesigned Inspired by Life and Fiction group blog—refreshed with a beautiful new look, updated features, and a space created with you in mind. It's good to be reconnecting—and in such a lovely new space.

A heartfelt thank you to Robin Lee Hatcher, the creative force behind this redesign and the one who did all the heavy lifting to make it happen. Well done, Robin! We're so grateful.

To celebrate our fresh look this summer, many of our authors will be hosting GIVEAWAYS during the second half of the month. So keep watch for those. Giveaway details will be included in individual posts.

But starting today . . . a SUMMER AUTHOR CHAT!

For the next two weeks, each author will pull back the curtain a bit to answer the following fun questions . . .

So here we go. Let's see if we have any in common.

1. Since we got a Breville coffee maker about a year ago (thanks, Deb Raney, for hooking me on that wonderful contraption 🤣), I rarely order coffee out anymore. But I do love a yummy iced oat milk espresso on occasion. Delish! I'll drink coffee any way except lukewarm. Even Jesus wouldn't drink it that way. ☕️
2. Right now I'm currently listening to I Know A Name with CeCe Winans and Brandon Lake on rewind. Here you go and you're welcome! 🕊️
3. Most of the time, my preference when writing is silence—or with brown noise (yes, that's a real thing) in the background. On occasion, I'll listen to an instrumental soundtrack but under no circumstances can I write while songs with lyrics are playing. I'm a goner. 🎶
4. I definitely write best at my desk in my office, which is filled with sunlight and is wonderfully quiet. It's also at the front of the house so when neighbors pass and we happen to see each other, we wave. In the evenings, all the kids are riding their bikes and playing chase. So lovely. Feels like a throwback to Mayberry. ✍🏻
5. My favorite summer dessert is watermelon. Can that be a dessert? I love watermelon and we've already had our first. A close second is anything with strawberries. Or just strawberries straight up! 🍉
6. My next novel is a standalone—In These Hills—which releases September 8, 2026.

Tyndale House Publishers

A young suffragist on the run finds more than refuge in the hills and hollers of Tennessee in this gripping historical romance set in Lynchburg against the real history of JACK DANIEL'S DISTILLERY and MISS MARY BOBO'S BOARDING HOUSE.

Opening paragraphs of In These Hills . . .

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1

March 1905
Atlanta, Georgia

"Remember, Miss Dunham, you're an intelligent, independent young woman. Don't let them intimidate you!"

"No, of course not." Josephine followed the head of the local American Woman Suffrage Association to the foot of the makeshift outdoor stage, her insides thrumming with anticipation—and panic. Crowds filled the street, women and men alike. Far more than expected for so early in the morning and—judging by the hecklers—not all of them supportive of the cause.

She still couldn't believe they'd invited her to speak, and on the heels of Miss Susan B. Anthony herself. Even now, the venerated Miss Anthony, eighty-five years old, wearing her customary round-rimmed glasses and hair pulled back in a no-nonsense style, commanded the podium as she delivered her closing remarks.

Read more about In These Hills

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7. Lastly, while several books currently grace my nightstand, the ones I'm reading are: Into the Heart of Romans by N.T. Wright and (on my Kindle) Kathryn Stockett's The Calamity Club. So far, both are stellar!

So do we have anything in common? Love of coffee? Desserts? Worship song? Books? Have you been to Jack Daniel's? Taken the tour? Stayed for the tasting? (Shhh, you can tell me, I'll keep your secret.)

Thank you, friends, for the encouragement and support you give us all. We treasure every connection made here!

REMEMBER to SUBSCRIBE so you'll never miss a post.

Much love from my corner of Nashville,
Tammy

Have you accepted the challenge yet? It's not too late! We're reading Rachel Hauck's newest book To Win a Crown, and will Zoom with Rachel on June 30. Join us!