Hello Readers!
I am very excited about my new series, An Amish Bookstore, and book #1—The Bookseller’s Promise—releases April 19th. My last series, the Amish Inn novels, was set in Montgomery, Indiana, and so is this new series. For those of you who read the Amish Inn novels, yes . . . Lizzie and Esther DO have cameos in the Amish Bookstore series. I’ve had lots of inquiries about those matchmaking widows, and the sisters have a few things up their sleeves in this series too.
Why Montgomery, Indiana? The Amish communities I’m currently writing about allow me an opportunity to mix business and pleasure. We visit family in that area as often as we can since our grandchildren are there. 🙂 I’ve had the privilege to meet some of the Amish families in the area also. Most readers of the Amish genre know that the clothes, rules (Amish Ordnung), and even buggy colors vary from state to state, and even district to district. After writing a series set in both Pennsylvania and Colorado, it’s been fun to learn about the Plain folks living in southern Indiana. It’s not a touristy location, but the locals know where the Amish women will be set up and selling baked goods, jams, and handmade items. It’s not uncommon to see buggies on the road if you know where the Amish communities are located.
I try to include local eateries and other landmarks in my books, and it’s fun to hear from readers in Indiana who are familiar with those places. I’m also fictionally adding to the town of Montgomery by adding The Peony Inn in my last series, and I’ve given Montgomery an Amish bookstore in The Bookseller’s Promise. There will be two more books in the series: The Story of Love and Hopefully Ever After.
From the back cover of The Bookseller’s Promise:
In the first novel of Beth Wiseman’s new Amish Bookstore series, a rare, old book may hold answers to a present-day romance.
Yvonne Wilson arrives in Montgomery, Indiana, determined to purchase a rare book on behalf of a client willing to pay her an absurd amount of money for her efforts. Engaged to be married in a few months, Yvonne is thrown off guard when she finds herself attracted to the handsome bookstore owner, Jake Lantz—and now she’s asking herself unexpected questions about her future.
Jake Lantz made a promise to his grandfather to never sell the book Yvonne wants to buy, and it’s a promise he plans to keep. Jake begins to read the book with Eva, one of his employees, and Eva sees this time together as a way to get Jake to see her in a new light. Eva’s loved him for years but senses Yvonne’s attraction to Jake right away—and she wonders how Jake feels about Yvonne, an attractive English woman determined to stay in Montgomery until she convinces Jake to sell the rare book.
As Yvonne’s, Jake’s, and Eva’s individual paths merge into something more than they could have imagined, each must face decisions they never anticipated. Will Jake ultimately break his promise to his grandfather? Will Yvonne leave the quaint life she’s been living in Amish Country to go back to her fiancé? And will Eva be able to get Jake to see her as more than a friend? The answers just might be buried within the pages of a rare book.
And I was thrilled about this review from Publisher’s Weekly:
“Wiseman (A Season of Change) kicks off her Amish Bookstore series with a heartfelt inspirational romance . . . Wiseman skillfully interweaves the romantic and conversion story lines and has an easy hand juggling her ensemble cast. Anyone who has ever known the power of a book to change lives will appreciate this tale of love and faith.” ~ Publisher’s Weekly
I’m excited for readers to get their hands on The Bookseller’s Promise, and I’ll be giving away an autographed copy. One reader will be selected at random. All you need to do is leave a comment naming a book that changed your life (aside from the Bible) or made a big impact in a positive way.
Bestselling and award-winning author Beth Wiseman has sold over two million books. She is the recipient of the coveted Holt Medallion, a two-time Carol Award winner, and has won the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award three times. Her books have been on various bestseller lists, including CBD, CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly. Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in south central Texas. Visit her online at BethWiseman.com; Facebook: @AuthorBethWiseman; Twitter: @BethWiseman; Instagram: @bethwisemanauthor.
Giveaway starts today, Tuesday, April 19th and ends Tuesday, April 26th and is only open to US residents (sorry!). One winner will be selected at random and announced on Wednesday, the 27th in the comment section of this blog post.