Monthly Archives: April 2012

Q&A With Amanda Flower

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I am thrilled to have Amanda Flower here today for a Q&A.
Thanks for stopping by!

Why don’t we start by you telling us a little about yourself?

I’m a college librarian living in northeast Ohio, who spends most of my time outside of the library committing fictional murder.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

My next mystery novel is A Plain Death. It will release from B&H in July 2012.
In A Plain Death, an unlikely friendship between a high-tech woman and a runaway Amish girl leads to murder. Her first day in Appleseed Creek, Ohio, Chloe Humphrey, befriends Becky, an ex-Amish teenager looking for a new home. While driving Chloe’s car, Becky collides with a buggy, killing an Amish bishop in the process. The case moves from accident to murder when police reveal a cut brake line. Now, Chloe and Becky’s handsome brother, Timothy, must discover who the real intended victim is before the murderer makes a second attempt.

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

In my Amish mysteries I highlight that one size does not fit all for the Amish. There are many differences within the orders and districts. The rules for the districts are set by the church leaders like the bishop. As an author, this knowledge was actually liberating because I was afraid that I might get an Amish rule about beard length or running water wrong. I realized that I could set my own rules for my Amish district as long as they were in keeping with the norms of the overall order.

What inspired you to write your very first book?

My very first book is Maid of Murder, which was nominated for an Agatha Award for best first mystery in 2011. I was inspired to write this novel when I was sitting in a Blockbuster parking lot when I was in college, and the protagonist India Hayes’s voice started talking in my head. India’s story is continued in the next novel in the series, Murder in a Basket, which released in February 2012.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

There are so many wonderful things about being an author, and I’m so thankful God let my dreams come true. I have two favorites. One is holding the final book in my hand and thinking, “Wow, I wrote that!” The other is meeting readers at signings. I can’t tell you how great it is to hear someone read one of my novels and liked it or even better thought it was funny.

While writing about the Amish have you learned anything about their customs that has surprised you?

It’s been interesting to learn where different Amish districts draw the line in the sand about technology. For example for some districts, Amish can have cell phones for business use while others cannot. Also in some districts some Amish are not allowed to ride bicycles, others are. Some are allowed to use gas-powered weed whackers on their lawns while lawn mowers are forbidden. I think that is the challenge for the Amish. How do the leaders make these rules? It also fascinates me that so many Amish willingly follow the rules when they seem so arbitrary to my English eyes. However, I remember the leaders tie the rules back to faith and religion. Therefore, the leaders in a sense tell the district God wants them to follow these arbitrary rules. That’s a very powerful means of persuasion.

What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview?

What are the names of your cats? :)
I have two VERY spoiled kitties. The first is a 16-year-old Maine Coon I found as a newborn in my backyard when I was a freshman in high school named Puddleglum AKA Puds. The other is a 2-year-old gray and white short hair, who I also rescued as a tiny kitten from a very bad situation. His name is Reepicheep AKA Cheeps. As you can see I am a HUGE C.S. Lewis fan. Most of my pets have been named after Narnia characters.

Do you have anything that you would like to share?

I just want to thank Michelle and Destination Amish for inviting me to do this interview and to join the Facebook group. It’s been fun to see how supportive the readers are of each other and the authors.

What’s next for you?

I’m very excited to share that I have SIX Amish mysteries releasing over the next couple of years. The first three are part of The Appleseed Creek Mystery Series and will be published by B&H. The series begins with A Plain Death. The second series will be published by Penguin’s New American Library imprint and begins with Murder, Plain & Simple in Fall 2013.

Author info: http://amandaflower.com/

A Plain Death: An Appleseed Creek Mystery can be pre-ordered  here on Amazon or can be purchased in the Destination Amish Store.

Orders are processed through Amazon.

Don’t forget to like and share on Facebook!

 

 

The Search: The Secrets of Crittenden County, Book Two

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The Search puts us smack dab back in the middle of Perry Borntrager’s murder investigation. Luke Reynolds and Mose Kramer are hard at work trying to solve the mysterious death. There’s still not much to go on, but if sheer determination was the answer they would have their man. This time around our attention is focused mainly on Luke and Frannie Eicher. Frannie, as you know dated Perry, and runs a local B&B. Luke doesn’t anticipate his feelings for Frannie, a growing attraction that comes as a surprise. When Frannie is hurt and has to stay at the hospital, Luke is right there by her side. The death of Perry Borntrager may have brought Luke to Crittenden County in search of a killer, but deep down inside he is searching for much more. Is Frannie what he is looking for? Frannie longs to be loved and with her choice in men has yet to find it. When her feelings for Luke come to the forefront, she can’t help but wonder if he really cares for her, or is he trying to get close to find out if she knows more than she is saying about Perry’s death. We also meet Beth Byler, who steps in to run the B&B when Frannie is in the hospital. I loved this character because she and I share similar kitchen techniques! This book doesn’t miss a beat. It picks up effortlessly where book one left off. Chalked full of suspense, romance, and some of the best characters that I have had the pleasure to meet, The Search cannot be missed. Shelley writes with a real knowledge of what a reader wants, intriguing and unique characters who will leave you wanting more. I can honestly say as I closed in on the end of this book I was left feeling sad but a happy sad. I did not want the book to end! My suspicions are running amuck with my own theories of who killed Perry and cannot wait read the conclusion of this most excellent series of books!

This book was provided to me from HarperCollins Publisher’s via Edelweiss in exchange for my review.

Book is available for pre-order here on Amazon or can be purchased in the Destination Amish Store.

Orders are processed through Amazon.com.

Shelley is active on Facebook and also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.

Beverly Lewis: The Fiddler – Home to Hickory Hollow

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Amelia DeVries is a world class musician with a secret. She is a classically trained violinist but harbors a secret passion for fiddling. Amelia is under pressure from her agent to sign the papers for a European tour but just can’t commit to it. She doesn’t want to disappoint her parents especially her ailing father. Needing a break from her obligations, Amelia heads to Pennsylvania for a fiddling gig. Although she loves the violin she is able to let go and be free when she plays her fiddle. Michael Hostetler is struggling to join the Amish church. He feels a pull towards the English world. Michael knows what is expected of an Amish son but can’t make his vows to the church.

A dark and stormy night brings these two confused people together. They spend one night together tucked away in a cabin deep in the Pennsylvania Mountains; a night that will forever impact both their lives.  Although they just met, Michael and Amelia immediately feel a connection and confide in each other.  Their lives are very different from one another, but they are more alike than what meets the eye.

I didn’t connect with the main characters as much as I thought I would. Actually, I preferred the supporting characters like Joanna Kurtz, who is a young Amish girl with a sweet demeanor.  She is instantly likeable and you want to get to know her better. Joanna’s story will be in the upcoming book The Bridesmaid. Also there is Elizabeth, Michael’s niece who has left the Amish community and is living in the English world. I found her story quite compelling which touches on domestic abuse, and I think her story could be a book on its own. I especially liked visiting with Ella Mae Zook again, a beloved character from The Shunning.  Overall I enjoyed my trip back to Hickory Hollow and I am sure you will too!

This book was provided to me from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing, in exchange for my review.

About the author: http://www.beverlylewis.com/

The Fiddler can be purchased through the Destination Amish Store.
Don’t forget you can pre-order The Bridesmaid in the store too.
Orders are processed through Amazon.com.

Interview with Kate Lloyd

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Today I am happy to have Kate Lloyd stopping by for an interview! Kate’s newest book, Leaving Lancaster, is currently number ten on the CBA bestseller list for May. Congratulations, Kate!

Why don’t we start by you telling us a little about yourself?

I’ve mentioned to friends and family they’ll never know the real me unless they read one of my books. On the surface, I’m a happily married mother of two sons, live in the northwest, and am the author of Leaving Lancaster. I’m an optimistic extrovert who longs for stretches of solitude, so I can ruminate, ponder ideas, and pray. I adore people of all ages, listening to their stories, and even browsing through their old photo albums, but I accomplish my best thinking when I’m alone, digging in my yard or walking. I’m not a worrier, but I do fret about my writing, enough to urge me to edit and re-read more times than you can imagine. Each day, I strive to improve my skills and research the Amish. Never boring!

Why did you choose to write about the Amish?

Is there a more fascinating and intriguing group than the Amish? Never-the-less, I prayed fervently before writing Leaving Lancaster. I realized a great deal of research would be required to capture their world and the ambience of magnificent Lancaster County. My opinion: An author needs to have his or her facts accurate or the whole premise of the book collapses.

What is the inspiration behind your newest novel?

I love reading a good book, especially a great Amish novel! I can’t credit my storyline, splintered family, or my unpredictable characters to anything other than my active imagination, which is always on the prowl. I grew up in a conventional two-parent family the opposite of Holly’s. My mother, a sculptress, didn’t resemble secretive Esther in the slightest, except my mother did wear her hair in a bun. But she didn’t knit, let alone own a business, or conspire to keep her children from their true identity.

Which character can you identify the most with?

I identify with all my characters, even at their worst: Holly, who is shocked and furious to find her mother has lied to her and deprived her of family, Esther, terrified to return to her Old Order Amish mother and siblings that she deserted, and Mommy Anna, clinging to life. These women are completely fictional, but a small bit of me resides in each, even the men. I enjoy my male characters as much as my female.
My characters seem to spring to life on their own. They quickly become close friends, in all their splendid beauty or ragged bitterness. Let’s face it, we all harbor a dark side or some secret, because we’re imperfect humans. I enjoy delving into my characters’ imperfections and foibles, especially when they discover they are not alone; God loves each hair on their heads.

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

When a reader tells me they can’t put Leaving Lancaster down—the story and characters have taken hold of them—I’m delighted! We are all so different; I assume each individual will glean a slightly different message. But I hope they come to understand God gives us second chances. Family relationships can be mended.
While writing about the Amish have you learned anything about their customs that has surprised you?
I could list a hundred facts about the Amish—from no central heating to silent prayer to the intricacies of growing alfalfa—that once surprised me but now seem completely normal. The Ordnung, their unwritten code of conduct that changes from District to District, continues to intrigue me. Years ago, our pastor mentioned that in his house when his children misbehaved, the pastor would say, “We don’t act that way in our house.” No long lectures, no preaching—an unwritten code of conduct I’ve quoted many times.

While writing about the Amish have you learned anything about their customs that has surprised you?

I could list a hundred facts about the Amish—from no central heating to silent prayer to the intricacies of growing alfalfa—that once surprised me but now seem completely normal. The Ordnung, their unwritten code of conduct that changes from District to District, continues to intrigue me. Years ago, our pastor mentioned that in his house when his children misbehaved, the pastor would say, “We don’t act that way in our house.” No long lectures, no preaching—an unwritten code of conduct I’ve quoted many times.

How do you do your research for your books? Do you have Amish friends?

I do have Amish friends who read my manuscript before I turned it into my publisher. My husband and I visit and keep in touch with them, and are blessed with relatives in Lancaster County. I study about the Amish every day. Alas, I lost my mentor and friend Steve Scott: http://www.katelloyd.net/reflections6.html

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

For me, writing fiction is akin to play and exploration. But finishing and polishing a novel takes passion, commitment, and persistence. Not for the faint at heart!

Kate Lloyd
kate@katelloyd.net
www.katelloyd.net
Leaving Lancaster
A Portrait of Marguerite
David C. Cook, Publisher

Leaving Lancaster can be purchased through Amazon here  or can be purchased through the Destination Amish Store.