NADINE BRANDES once spent four days as a sea cook in the name of book research. She is the author of the award-winning ROMANOV, FAWKES, and the Out of Time Series. Her inner fangirl perks up at the mention of soul-talk, Quidditch, bookstagram, and Oreos. When she's not busy writing novels about bold living, she's adventuring through Middle Earth or taste-testing a new chai. She and her Auror husband are building a Tiny House on wheels with their Halfling children. Current mission: paint the world in shalom.

The Lost Art of Writing – How do you create?

I am incredibly thankful for the time period in which I was born. Writing and publishing books has never been more accessible than it is today. It’s exciting. It’s terrifying. But I also find myself thinking about the lost art of writing–the writing arts from the past. It’s something dear… Continue reading

Happy Autumn! Here’s A Butterbeer Recipe

The moment Fall struck–and the first autumn leaf fell from a nearby tree–I found myself googling butterbeer recipes and then turning the kitchen into a cream-soda-war zone. When I was a teen, I read the Harry Potter series to my younger brother. Now, you should know that he and I created… Continue reading

What Are You Going to Read for #OTOctober?

Early this year, I wrote a blog post asking, Does anyone read the Bible anymore, anyway? It convicted me. Like, a LOT. And it spurred me to plan a month of intentional Bible reading beyond the smaller every-day devos. And, of course, I couldn’t help but invite the world to… Continue reading

The Things that Happen At Writers Conferences

Most authors you talk to will tell you writing conferences are important. I leave for the 2017 ACFW Writing Conference this week. Tomorrow actually. In, like, 28 hours. Wow…and I just realized I haven’t packed. *panic* Annnnyway, I was reflecting on all the conferences I’ve attended and all the things… Continue reading

Sometimes Book Deadlines Murder Your Blog Schedule

Why didn’t my blog post go out at the usual 5am this morning? Because I totally failed you all am on deadline. And sometimes you have to drop the ball in order to pick up a different one. That is all. ?   (I’d say “I’m sorry,” but I also… Continue reading

Booknerds…National Buy A Book Day Is Here Again!

Tomorrow is National Buy A Book Day!! This is my fourth year participating in this magnanimous holiday of all things literary and I hope you’ll join me! But in case you’re new here and aren’t sure what NBaBD is or how to do it, let me help you out fellow bookwormian.… Continue reading

My Week: When My Shower Electrocuted Me & Ate My Computer

Sometimes your shower tries to kill you. And it misses. And kills your computer instead. Okay, context: About a week ago, hubby got a shock turning off the shower. In case you didn’t know, electricity + water = ☠️. So, being the responsible and logical husband that he is, he… Continue reading