When Doing Everything Right Doesn’t Work

Where do our expectations come from? We’d like to think that if we do a, b, and c, d will result. If I take care of my body, I’ll remain healthy. If I work hard and make smart financial decisions, my wealth will grow. If I choose a spouse wisely and honor my vows, my marriage will flourish. If I raise my children with certain values, they will adopt them and enjoy the fruits of their virtue.

But we all know the woman who never touched a cigarette yet contracted lung cancer. The successful entrepreneur who lost everything through theft or a change in the market. A woman whose husband decided he didn’t love her anymore and left. Children who abandon their faith and every value their parents held dear.

Sometimes the equation falls apart on our end. After all, am I that certain of my righteousness or do I merely fail to see my sin? Have I accounted for the fallen nature of not only myself but of my spouse, my children, this whole gosh-darn fallen world we inhabit?

There are no guarantees in life. As I tell my children so often, life isn’t fair. Continue reading

Christmas Novel Ornamental Graces To Be Published October 2016

I’m excited to share that my contemporary inspirational Christmas romance, Ornamental Graces, will be self-published on October 11, 2016! Just in time for the Christmas season and at the tail end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

This is the first of my published novels set in my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I had such fun writing scenes in my favorite city, including a couple of critical ones that take place at Pittsburgh Penguins hockey games. With its history of diverse ethnicities and significant Catholic population, I can think of no better place to introduce Irish Daniel Malone to Polish Emily Kowalski and let the fireworks – or in this case, mud – fly.

After his duplicitous girlfriend left, Dan Malone spent six months in a tailspin of despair and destruction: emotional, physical, and spiritual. Just when his life seems to be back on track, he meets Emily Kowalski, younger sister of his new best friend.

Emily’s the kind of girl he’d always dreamed of—sweet, smart, and sincere. But he’s made a mess of his life and ruined his chances for earning the love and trust of a woman like her.

Could Dan be the man Emily’s been waiting for? How could he be when every time they get close he pulls away? And will he ever be free from his shady past and the ex-girlfriend who refuses to stay there?

Can’t wait? You can get a sneak peek at Dan and Emily’s story by checking out my Pinterest Board for the novel.

https://www.pinterest.com/castfalk/ornamental-graces/

Seven Quick Takes Friday

Seven Quick Takes Friday

Quirky Christmas Tree Ornament Edition

Our tree is filled with a mishmash of unrelated ornaments from different families, different eras, and different interests. Somehow they’ve all found a home with us.

 

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Chili Pepper Santa Claus

Chili Pepper Santa Claus ornament

A memento from a trip my husband and I took to San Antonio, Texas in 2001.

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#5Faves: Christmas Romance Novellas (and More)

 

fivefaves

The novella is the perfect format for this busy time of year! Fit in a quick read between Christmas preparations or while relaxing in the glow of the Christmas tree. I’ve selected five of my favorites followed by a few other recommendations for Christmas short stories (which can easily be read in one sitting) and novels as well as a few items on my Christmas reading pile!

  • Most but not all below are Christian stories. All are clean romances.
  • Technically, I think A Cliché Christmas and A Sugar Creek Christmas are (short?) novels. In the true spirit of Christmas overwhelm, I’m lumping them with the others because it’s my blog, and I can.

And as a bonus, a Christmas snippet from my novel Rightfully Ours, which I hope to be sharing some exciting news about soon!

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