Are Amish novels romances? Win the 3-book Miller Family series.

Good Monday morning, readers.

Lately, I’ve been asked this question several times…and it got me thinking. For regular romance readers, whether contemporary or historical, do you find Amish stories romantic when you read them? Romance readers often have certain expectations regarding the level of “heat,” so to speak. But almost universally, Amish stories are Christian inspirationals, thus the heat level would be zero. Yes, this culture usually produces plenty of babies, but how they come to be remains tastefully behind closed doors. Also, Amish fiction often has either a cozy mystery or a family drama feel to them.

So when someone asked me whether Living in Harmony would be classified as a romance I had to ponder for a moment. I told her “yes,” despite my young couple enduring plenty of problems before their walk down the aisle.

I want to hear your opinion. Many of you read many Amish fiction authors, beside other genres. Do you think Amish stories are romances? I will give away the 3-book Miller Family series (A Widow’s Hope, Never Far from Home and The Way to a Man’s Heart) to one lucky commenter. I’ll give away two sets if there are plenty of comments. So please give me your two-cents. And happy reading everyone!  Mary

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Anybody up for a blog hop about works in progress?

Just for fun, a bunch of authors are answering questions about our latest WIPs (works-in-progress), and here are my quick quips. Be sure to click the links at the bottom to keep hopping on to see what’s next!

What is the working title of your book? A Little Bit of Charm

Where did the idea come from for the book? I read a non-fiction account about the Old Order Amish moving from Lancaster, PA due to the exorbitant price of farmland. I was intrigued by the smaller, more remote communities they were moving into and what major differences they would find. So I traveled to Maine, Missouri and Kentucky to research new districts. This final book in the New Beginnings series is set in the Blue Grass State.

What genre does your book fall under? Inspirational Amish Romance

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? I would choose Leonardo DiCaprio to play my tender-hearted horse trainer Jake Brady and the lovely Reese Witherspoon for my blond heroine caught between two worlds.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Rachel King wants nothing more than to work with horses, but when her handsome boss sweeps her off her feet, she begins to doubt everything in life, including her faith.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? My book will be represented by the Seymour Agency and published by Harvest House.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? It takes me four and a half months to write the first draft, but I edit as I go along. So the manuscript only needs a thorough going-over when it’s finished. The final edit takes about two weeks.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I would compare it to any books by Suzanne Woods Fisher, Kelly Irvin or Amy Clipston.

Who or What inspired you to write this book? I have been fascinated by the Amish since I was a child. When I decided to write solely Christian fiction, writing about their culture was a natural choice. For this particular book, the counties of Barren, Hart and Casey, Kentucky inspired plenty of plot twists.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? One of the sub-plots involves the potential spreading of the “wild” polio virus, almost eradicated in this country, throughout a religious sect that doesn’t embrace vaccines. With the recent flu epidemic, including the deaths at least twenty children, this is a timely topic.

If you haven’t read book one of the series, Living in Harmony, is on sale for Kindles for 2.24. Here’s the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Harmony-Beginnings-Series-ebook/dp/B008G5FLHS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1361391903&sr=1-1&keywords=living+in+harmony

And don’t forget to hop over to Lillian Duncan’s blog next:

here’s her link:  http://www.lillian-duncan.com/

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Writers block, part two

Good Monday morning, readers. And what a lovely morning it is in Ohio. The sun is shining, the temps are above freezing, and the snow is melting. All three make me one happy woman. Last week’s and this week’s postings are mainly aimed at fellow writers. But if you’re a reader, I’ve got some good news for you, too. Living in Harmony, Lime Award winner for 2012 for Excellence in Amish fiction is on sale for E-readers, including Amazon, CBD, Barnes and Noble.com, iTunes, and Kobo. The price is 2.99 or less. Links are at the bottom. This price should last until Feb. 18th as far as I know. Thanks, Harvest House, for reducing the price of book one, to celebrate the release of book two! This week Cindy Elliott has posted her review of book two, Love Comes to Paradise. You could win a free copy if you drop by Cindy’s blog and leave a comment.  One lucky commenter will win a free copy of Love Comes to Paradise next week. Here’s the link: http://www.cindyelliottfiction.com/love-comes-to-paradise-by-mary-ellis-book-giveaway

Last Monday I started talking about “writer’s block” or more specifically, some things to try if your creative energy seems to have dried up. The second problem we sometimes experience is the haven’t-I-said-all-this-before-syndrome. We’ve got our story; we’ve got our multi-dimensional characters. But we’re trotting out the same old metaphors and tired verbs. It’s time to get away to someone else’s creative work that’s not in the genre you write. Read a book by a writer whose work you admire to see how they craft a story. No time to read a full novel? Go to a movie, again one with a screenplay by someone you love. Sit back, sip your soda, munch your popcorn and enjoy. I’ve been known to utter things like: What a delightful black moment, much to my husband’s dismay. The key is getting away from yourself. Then when you return to your work-in-progress, the well will be primed with fresh creative waters. Happy writing.

Happy Valentine’s Day–don’t forget your sweethearts! Don’t forget Lent starts on Wednesday. And if you haven’t seen the movie, Lincoln, go tomorrow! It’s Honest Abe’s birthday!! Have a great week, readers and writers…Mary

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008G5FLHS/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B008G5FLHS&linkCode=as2&tag=harvesthousep-20

Barnes and Noble: http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=lhOFjTQPVzI&subid=&offerid=261457.1&type=10&tmpid=8432&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%252Fw%252Fliving-in-harmony-mary-ellis%252F1107956927%253Fean%253D9780736942867%2526itm%253D1%2526usri%253D9780736942867

Apple iBookstore/iTunes: http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=lhOFjTQPVzI&subid=&offerid=146261.1&type=10&tmpid=3909&RD_PARM1=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fbook%2Fliving-in-harmony%2Fid547296303%3Fmt%3D11

·Kobo: http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=lhOFjTQPVzI&subid=&offerid=258185.1&type=10&tmpid=9310&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobobooks.com%2Febook%2FLiving-in-Harmony%2Fbook-iDbQramJ60eqFrgxpFYbQQ%2Fpage1.html

ChristianBook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9780736942867&event=AFF&p=1169188

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When the words won’t come

Good snowy Monday, readers. I hope you all survived Super Bowl Sunday! I, myself, enjoyed the Budweiser Clydesdale commercial and the Dorritos’ goat! Before I forget, Shannon Vannatter interviewed me on her lovely blog this week. If you drop by her blog, read the interview, and leave a comment (on HER blog, not here…) you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a copy of Love Comes to Paradise. This book has just made the CBD bestseller list and has recently been released for e-readers. here’s the link to Shannon’s blog: http://shannonvannatter.com/mary-ellis-romantic-excerpt-part-1-of-2/   Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter if you haven’t already done so, since I’ll be giving away 10 copies of Love Comes to Paradise on March 15th.

Every writer whether our contemporaries or long gone has wrestled for hours when they can’t string seven words together into a concise sentence. We doubt ourselves, our mentors, the process we thought we’d perfected, even the quality of beans that went into our cup of java. It happens to the best of us. And it will happen to all of us eventually. There is no one-size-fits-all solution since writers are as different as that shade of navy you’re trying to match. I can only give you my humble opinion to tuck into your first aid kit on possible cures.

When the words won’t come I see two possible reasons, both of which involve turning off and moving away from your computer. How many times have we fallen asleep in our easy chairs, but tossed-and-turned in bed for hours? If you get out of bed and put the TV back on, you’ll doze off by the next commercial. Same is true about trying to force creativity in front of your laptop. Once you are seated in a lawn chair or a booth at the coffee shop, consider the first reason your well is dry: You need more story. This happens more often for seat-of-the-pants writers than plotters, but even plotters can reach a lull when the action or romantic drama needs help from a subplot to thicken the stew. Ask yourself: What can come along to blindside your characters? What’s the worst thing they fear? Make it happen. Often writers concoct a thrilling opening and know exactly how to bring their story to a tasty conclusion. They might even have some plot twists in mind, but in long novels, not even the most devout “plotter” can pre-conceive enough scenes to keep the pace moving. Go where it’s quiet, where you can roll your eyes back into your head. Suddenly story ideas will flow faster than you can jot down on your Starbucks napkin.

I’ll give you reason number two next week…until then, stay warm!!!

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Living in Harmony on sale for E-readers

Happy day-after-Christmas, readers,

I’m not sure what the weather is like in your neck of the woods, but here in Ohio (central and northern) we’re getting a blizzard at the moment. What a good day to stay indoors and build a fire in the fireplace.

And if you’re looking for something to do while you’re shut in, (especially if you got a new E-reader for Christmas…) my latest book, Living in Harmony,  is on sale in Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Apple, and the Sony Reader.  From now until January 2nd, Book One of the New Beginnings series is under 3.00 at all participating distributors, including Amazon, CBD.com, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, etc. In fact, Amazon has it for 2.44. What a deal!

Living in Harmony won the 2012 Lime Award for Excellence in Amish Fiction by the Christian Manifesto.

So if you’re fond of Amish fiction, now’s the time to pick up my latest for cheap.

Book two of the series, Love Comes to Paradise, will release end of January through the Internet, and by February 1st in stores.

In the meantime, be safe, stay warm and dry, and off the roads if they’re nasty.

Mary

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Welcome Amy Lillard, win a free copy of her book Saving Gideon

Good Monday morning, readers,

I hope your weekend was lovely. It hit sixty degrees yesterday in Ohio, which is absolutely fine with me. Today I’m welcoming Amy Lillard, a fellow author of Amish fiction. Amy’s latest release is Saving Gideon from B&H Books . Here is a blurb about the story.

Gideon Fisher wants only one thing out of life— to be left alone.  This is not the Amish way, but he’s devastated after the death of his wife.  He has lost his faith.  He buys a farm on the outskirts of the district and pulls away from his community.  But when a freak spring snowstorm brings a beautiful Englisher to his farm, what choice does he have but to let her in? Dallas socialite, Avery Ann Hamilton is intrigued by the Amish farmer who pulls her out of the snow and into his austere life style.    Poor little rich girl, Avery has just gone through—–yet another—–bad breakup.  Every man she meets only wants her for her father’s money.  All she has ever wanted is to be loved for herself.  Avery soon discovers that the Oklahoma Amish country is the perfect place to hide out and heal her broken heart. But she finds a peace in those back roads that she’s never felt before.  Now her life has purpose and meaning as she connects with God and those around her.  But it has even more as she begins to care for this man who needs both love and forgiveness. Gideon never wanted to live again much less fall in love, but Avery finds her way into his heart, showing him the beauty of life and God’s greatness.  But as the feelings between Avery and Gideon grow, can they overcome their dissimilar lifestyles or will their sheer differences pull them apart?

And here is a little something about the talented author:

Amy Lillard is an award-winning writer who loves reading romance novels from contemporary to Amish. These two genres met in her first book, Saving Gideon. Born and bred in Mississippi, she now lives with her husband and son in Oklahoma. The second book in the Clover Ridge series, Katie’s Choice, is scheduled to release May, 1, 2013. She is currently working on the third in the series. Find Amy on the web at http://www.amywritesromance.com

To win a free copy of Saving Gideon, please post a comment here to this question:

Have you ever wanted to run away from your life and hide away where no one could find you?

Have a great week, readers. And stay safe.  Mary

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No illiteracy in the Amish community

Good Tuesday morning, readers,

I just read an interesting article in Publishers’ Weekly magazine written by a friend of mine, Suzanne Woods Fisher. Suzanne is personally involved in the Old Order community on a regular basis. She reports that there is virtually no illiteracy in the Amish community, despite the small parochial schools, limited teaching materials and teachers with eighth grade educations. (however, these dedicated women train with veteran teachers and continue their own educations despite the lack of college degrees) Most Amish develop a love of reading which continues to serve them throughout their lives. Without the distraction of video games, TV and the internet, they read non-fiction and fiction alike. A few even pick up Amish romances but most don’t find books about them that intriguing. Suzanne quoted John Hostetler in Amish Society (in part) “On several standardized tests, Amish children performed significantly higher in spelling, word usage, and arithmetic than a sample of pupils in rural public schools.” As Suzanne writes in the article, maybe that will encourage more parents to turn off the TV and read to their kids.

 

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Help me welcome author Murray Pura to Home Thoughts

Good afternoon, readers….

I’m posting a tad later today due to the Frankenstorm. You would think Ohio would be far enough inland to avoid the brunt of Hurricane Sandy, but we just had a huge tree fall in front of our home, totally blocking the highway. The police and Highway Patrol have their hands full. The winds are howling, and it hasn’t stopped raining in 3 days. But today Home Thoughts welcomes Canadian author, Murray Pura. I just finished his book, The Face of Heaven, and I absolutely adored it! Murray combined my three personal favorites in one lovely book that I could not put down: the Amish, American History (namely, the Civil War) and a yummy romance. Here’s a blurb about the book:

Following on the heels of The Wings of Morning, the first book in Murray Pura’s Snapshots in History series, comes this compelling saga of the Civil War. In April 1861, Lyndel Keim discovers two runaway slaves in her family’s barn. When the men are captured and returned to their plantation, Lyndel and her young Amish beau, Nathaniel King, find themselves at odds with their pacifist Amish colony. Nathaniel enlists in what will become the famous Iron Brigade of the Union Army. Lyndel enters the fray as a Brigade nurse on the battlefield, sticking close to Nathaniel as they both witness the horrors of war–including the battles at Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Antietam. Despite the pair’s heroic sacrifices, the Amish only see that Lyndel and Nathaniel have become part of the war effort, and both are banished.And a severe battle wound at Gettysburg threatens Nathaniel’s life. Lyndel must call upon her faith in God to endure the savage conflict and to face its painful aftermath, not knowing if Nathaniel is alive or dead. Will the momentous battle change her life forever, just as it will change the course of the war and the history of her country.

If you love a good story, one set in a turbulent time in America’s past, I recommend you get a copy of The Face of Heaven. This book has something to appeal to everyone! Murray has graciously agreed to give away a copy of his latest to one of my readers. Please post an answer to this question: How would you deal with the possibility of killing someone during wartime?

I will draw a random winner of The Face of Heaven in one week. Stay warm, stay dry, and stay away from down powerlines, my dear readers!   Mary

ps. If you have a little time, please click on this link to check out a new free magazine for booklovers. If you click on my book cover, Living in Harmony, I might win some free advertising. thanks bunches!  http://www.bookfunmagazine.com/i/90331

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Help me welcome an Amish fiction author & win a free book

Happy Labor Day, Readers! Today, Home Thoughts welcomes novelist Jennifer Beckstand to the  blog. Jennifer writes wonderful stories about people who are near-and-dear to my heart: the Amish. I asked Jennifer first to tell us something about her latest release, Rebecca’s Rose: (book 2 in Forever After in Apple Lake series)

When his widowed mother marries an outsider, Levi Cooper’s family leaves the Amish community and Levi is raised Englisch. But Levi’s world is shattered when the only father he knows divorces his mother and turns his back on the family. In his anger, Levi causes an accident that alters his life forever and sets him on the path of self-destruction. Does the pretty Amish girl from his old community hold the key to his heart and his redemption? With her mother so ill, Rebecca Miller runs her household, cares for the small farm, and watches after her younger siblings while her father, unwilling to care for his wife, is absent for days at a time working out-of-town jobs. Even though she feels trapped in her dismal life, Rebecca is determined to fulfill the promise she made to a dying friend. Englischer Levi Cooper, with uncommon good looks and a mischievous glint in his eye, might be the boy who can help her do just that. But will his secrets tear them apart or will their growing attachment lead to the loss of everything she holds dear?

Next I asked her how she got started writing: My love for romantic fiction was born when my older sister discovered “Pride and Prejudice.” She often shared her favorite passages with me. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.  After hearing my sister read that, how could I not want to read the book myself? Jane Austen introduced me to the glorious world of romantic fiction. I jumped in with both feet. After my fourth daughter was born, I started writing. By juggling diaper changes, soccer games, music lessons, laundry, and two more children, I finished my first manuscript—a Western—in just under fourteen years. (I am happy to inform you that all my children have entered the public school system, and I can now write a book in significantly less time.) I sent my manuscript to an agent, who asked me to try my hand at writing Amish fiction. After much research and travel, I fell in love with the people and the genre. The Amish way of life reminds us of a simpler time when faith and family were more important than progress and possessions. I think people love reading Amish for that reason. 

Kate’s Song  (book 1 in series) is about choices. Kate is torn between her Amish culture and her music. In the story, Kate realizes that “every choice involves some kind of pain. Choosing one path means rejecting another, along with everything down it.” We all face heart-rending, life-changing choices. How do we seek God’s will and move forward without looking back?

My goal is to write uplifting, inspiring stories with happy endings and hopeful messages. If my books make readers want to give themselves a big hug or jump up and down for joy, I’ve done my job.

You can find out more about me at jenniferbeckstrand.com or on Facebook at Jennifer Beckstrand Fans.

Here’s your question, readers: Leave your answer on this blog to be entered in a contest to win Rebecca’s Rose. Drawing in one week.  Have you ever made a difficult choice? How has that choice affected the rest of your life?

Enjoy these waning days of summer!

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At long last…pictures from BRMCWC

Hello readers,

I am home from my research trip to the Plain communities of KY! It’s good to be home. I finally have my photo taken last month at the writer’s conference in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mtns. of NC. The first is of my editor, Kim Moore, at Harvest House, yours truly on the left, and another lovely writer on the right, whose name escapes me at the moment! The second photo is of the ACFW Ohio chapter gang that all sat together at the final night banquet. I assure you…a good time was had by all and plenty of wonderful lessons learned at BRMCWC.  Have a super week, everyone!

 

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