Monthly Archives: July 2012

Interview and Giveaway with Kathy Fuller

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I am so excited for our special guest today! Kathy Fuller is here to talk about her newest book Faithful to Laura which will be available on August 7th. She is also offering one lucky reader the chance to win a copy! If you would like to win please leave a comment for Kathy on this post. Good Luck to all and Happy Reading!

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

My husband James and I have been married for nineteen years. We have three children, Matt, Sydney, and Zoie. We live in Northeast Ohio and love it here! I also live near several Amish settlements: Middlefield, Ashtabula, and Holmes. I grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and am a former special education teacher (teaching the blind and visually impaired). I like to travel when I can. I’m also a thyroid cancer survivor.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

Faithful to Laura is the second book in the Middlefield Family series. Laura is out to seek revenge against Mark King, but when she meets Sawyer, a Yankee who was adopted by the Amish when he was fourteen, she reevaluates her need for vengeance, which allows her to open her heart to love.

Are you reading any books right now? Do you read other Amish fiction authors?

I usually read outside the genre I write. I’m reading a nonfiction book right now about writing, and also Tamera Alexander’s latest novel.

Have you ever visited an Amish community to do research for your books?

Yes, I’ve visited several, and often go to Middlefield (where most of my books are set) to do research and enjoy Amish country.

What is one thing about you that readers would be surprised to learn?

I played baritone saxophone in my college jazz band.

If you couldn’t be a writer, what would your ideal career be?

Teacher. I’m blessed to have done both!

Who or what inspired you to become an author?

Reading. I love to read, and out of that love grew an interest to tell my own stories.

What’s your favorite thing about being an author?

Finishing the book!

Do you have anything else that you would like to share?

I will be giving away a quilt made by Karla Hanns, a reader who made a prayer quilt for me while I was undergoing cancer treatment. She created this quilt especially for the contest to celebrate the release of Faithful to Laura. To enter the contest, please visit my website: www.kathleenfuller.com and send me an email saying you’d like to sign up for my newsletter. You can also sign up for the newsletter at my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kathleen-Fuller/81836200502

What’s next for you?

I’m working on Letters to Katie (formerly Courting Katie), the third book in the Middlefield Family series.

Thank you so much for stopping by Kathy!

Contest rules are simple.

  • Leave a comment on this post.
  • Like or share on Facebook.
  • Leave another comment on this post if you liked or shared. That’s 3 chances to win

Contest starts today and ends August 3. Winner will be announced August 4.

A Favorite Book Giveaway!

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One of my favorite books is Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio by Annalisa Daughety. I just love reading about places that I am familiar with and seeing them come alive on the pages. I couldn’t think of a better giveaway than a book that takes place in one of my favorite places and an absolutely beautiful photograph taken by Wade Wilcox. I was browsing around Sol’s Exchange located in Berlin and this picture caught my attention……looks mysterious and intriguing! It would make a great cover for a book:) If you would like to win rules are below.

 

Contest rules are simple.

  1. Leave a comment on this post.
  2. Like or share on Facebook.
  3. Leave another comment on this post if you liked or shared. That’s 3 chances to win

Contest ends on Monday, July, 30 and I will pick the winner on Tuesday.

Review- The Hidden Life- An Amish Quilt Novel by Adina Senft

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Emma Stolzfus is by no means your typical Amish woman. She is an unmarried thirty year old who harbors a secret passion for writing. Emma has dutifully taken care of her ailing mother always wondering when her time will come to marry and have a family. Feelings of jealously often rise up when she sees how happy her two best friends Amelia and Carrie are. Having a family of her own is all she has ever wanted and it is hard for her not to feel resentment at times. Writing is her escape and soothes her soul. Emma secretly enters a writing contest just to see if she has what it takes. She is not even sure why she entered and is not expecting to win. Although she doesn’t win the big prize, Emma receives a letter from a literary agent who expresses some interest in her writing. He invites her to New York for a meeting about being published. Having a book published is a no-no in her community but she is intrigued by the offer. Throwing caution to the wind Emma boards a train for the Big Apple and heads towards a new chapter in her life…….

I absolutely loved The Hidden Life! Nothing is as enjoyable as feeling the same way the characters do throughout the story and believing that you are mixed into the same world. I felt this way throughout the book because the characters are so relatable and interesting. As you turn the pages, the book consumes you, engulfing you in between the lines of this wonderland of simplicity. This is why I read Amish fiction….to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world and see the simpler side of life. Now don’t get me wrong The Hidden Life is full of conflict, romance, and drama! Overall I felt Adina captured the Amish way of life with fine detail. Be prepared to become an even bigger fan of Adina’s after you read this book and you will be eagerly anticipating the next installment The Tempted Soul just like me!

This book was provided to me from Faith Words a division of Hachette Book Group for review.

Author Info

Adina Senft
The Wounded Heart, an Amish Quilt novel, September 2011
The Hidden Life, June 2012
The Tempted Soul, 2013
http://www.adinasenft.com

Material Witness Review – Vannetta Chapman

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Happy times are flowing through Shipshewana, Indiana, that is until Aaron, Melinda Byer’s little boy witnesses a murder in the parking lot of Callie Harper’s quilt shop that sends this small town into shock. Material Witness has our quartet of leading ladies: Callie, Ester, Deborah and Melinda, who are once again involved in a murder investigation. Callie is beside herself and cannot believe this is happening. Little does she know that her world is about to be turned upside down and inside out. The killer wants something that Callie has and will not rest until they get it.  Shane Black is back on the scene to investigate along with Andrew Gavin. Shane vows to protect Callie, who has taken up space in his heart and little Aaron who is the only one who can identify the mad man. Time is of the essence and they must all work together to figure out why Callie is involved before the killer strikes again. The ladies seem to think there are clues to this mystery hidden on a set of quilts that they were given. Shane thinks they may be off their rockers. A stack of quilts can’t possibly hold the answers they are looking for right? Or can they………

Material Witness grabs your attention right off the bat and doesn’t let you go until your fingers have turned the last page. This book had my heart pounding one minute and the next minute I was smiling and giving a little fist pump! The love between family, friends, and how far one is willing go to protect them is captured beautifully in this book. The interaction between the children was an added surprise because I think they stole the show! Although I am sad that my adventures are over in Shipshewana, I am fully satisfied with how Vannetta has ended this amazing series of books. All three books are top notch and will always have a spot on my bookshelf. When I read a book that is as wonderful as Material Witness, I am always a little miffed why on earth people say they don’t care to read Amish fiction. Vannetta Chapman has crafted a clever and witty tale that is full of suspense and engaging characters. Why would you not want to read something that will fill you to the brim with honest to goodness writing and beautiful story telling?

This book was provided to me from Zondervan via NetGalley for review.

This title will be released on September 4, 2012 and has been added to the Destination Amish Book Store for pre-order.

Author Info

webpage – www.VannettaChapman.com

blog – http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com

facebook – www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks, and

pinterest – http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman