Beth Wiseman's Blog, page 14
September 30, 2012
MEET LILY AND WIN A BOOK!
Please enjoy this guest post from Suzanne
Woods Fisher and enter
to win a copy of Life with Lily! I
have three to give away.
“Put the swing where the children want it. The grass will grow
back.”Amish proverb
I’ve often heard that there is no better childhood than an Amish
one. Mary Ann Kinsinger had such a childhood. She was raised in a happy Old
Order Amish home in western Pennsylvania. A born storyteller, Mary Ann started
a blog, A Joyful Chaos, as a way to capture the joy of her childhood.
A Joyful Chaos quickly gained a following among those who want
to know more about the Amish. Here was a blog of a woman who had recently left
the Amish church, but without bitterness or rancor. Just the opposite. Mary
Ann’s blog captures what readers are looking for in Amish fiction books:
charming family memories, a caring community, a collection of fun, quirky
characters, all cast in a rural setting. And yet it’s real! All true.
One day, I e-mailed to ask if she was thinking of writing a
book. “No,” she wrote back, “but I might be interested in collaborating.”
Fast forward a year or two. My friendship with Mary Ann
continued to grow. So did her blog’s presence: A Joyful Chaos was receiving
over 30,000 hits a month. It caught a mention in The New York Times. Mary Ann
started a Facebook page. Remember, this was a woman who had stopped her formal
schooling at eighth grade! But her education never stopped.
The time seemed right. We submitted a fiction series proposal
for children, ages 8-12, to my publisher, Revell Books, inspired by Mary Ann’s
childhood. Revell said “Yes!”
The Lily books are more than just another good children’s
series—they’re a little slice of America, a peek into the world of a happy
Amish family, fun and foibles. I have a hunch that children of all ages, 5-95,
will quickly grow attached to Lily. But do you know what has surprised me the
most about writing these books? Lily’s parents, Rachel and Daniel Lapp. Based
on Mary Ann’s own parents, this young couple is the quintessence of wisdom and
maturity. In Book 1, you’ll read a nail biting story when a difficult neighbor
insists the property lines are incorrect and aims a shotgun at Lily’s father.
Papa responds by…oh…I won’t spoil it. I’ll let you find out for yourself.
Life with Lily,
book 1 in ‘The Adventures of Lily Lapp’ series, releases on October 1st and
will be available wherever books are sold. Lily has a website, www.adventuresoflilylapp.com,
that will be interactive for children: coloring pages can be downloaded, ask
Lily a question, get recipes from her family, information about Lily’s parents
and brothers and friends.
Mary Ann Kinsinger
can be found at her blog:
www.AJoyfulChaos.blogspot.com
. She
lives in the country in western Pennsylvania, not far from where she grew up.
And she loves to hear from readers!
Suzanne Woods
Fisher is a writer of bestselling
fiction and non-fiction. She is the host of Amish Wisdom, a weekly radio program on
toginet.com, and writes a bi-monthly column for Christian Post, called “Plain
Talk about the Amish.” Suzanne enjoys connecting with readers and can be found
on-line at
www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
.
August 28, 2012
Land of Canaan series -- Special Discounts
In a few weeks, book #3 in the Land of Canaan series--His Love Endures Forever--will be releasing. It's available for pre-order anywhere that books are sold.
BUT, if you haven't had an opportunity to read the first two books in the series, I wanted to let you know that Amazon is selling book #1--Seek Me With All Your Heart--for $1.93 (Kindle version). Book #2--The Wonder of Your Love--is selling for $2.81 (Kindle version). This is a great way to get people started on the series for little investment. And no -- Nook isn't discounting like this right now.
I have no idea how long these discounted prices will last, but just wanted to pass along the info. So, if you know any Kindle users who you think might be interested in starting the series, please pass the links along.http://www.amazon.com/Seek-Heart-Canaan-Novel-ebook/dp/B0047O2BDE/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346165678&sr=1-3&keywords=beth+wiseman
http://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Your-Canaan-Novel-ebook/dp/B005JT8Q9E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346165678&sr=1-1&keywords=beth+wiseman
August 22, 2012
Where is Beth Wiseman?
Dear Readers,Beth asked me to tell you she is still alive, but buried in edits. Beth has a full length novel (The House That Love Built*) and a novella (in An Amish Kitchen**) coming out soon, and her editor and production team need her undivided attention this week.
So here's my attempt at filling in for Beth by way of a guest post on her blog:
"Hope for the best and
prepare for the worst" was written by Thomas Norton an English poet and
politician (1532-1584).
Ignatius of Loyola wrote
something similar, which I prefer: "Pray as if everything depended on God
and act as if everything depended on oneself."
I have a tendency to worry. A lot. I imagine all the things that can possibly go
wrong with all sorts of scenarios, especially those involving my family members. These two pieces of advice above, help me to
overcome the worry and fear I contend with.
I often think to myself, “What’s
the worst that could happen?” And then I
go about figuring out how best to handle the answer to that question. Sometimes the answer is just
plain old preparation. Having several
jugs of extra water on hand in case the well pump goes out, candles handy if
the power goes out, a family meeting place if there are communication problems, and liberally applying insect repellent when going outdoors in the early mornings and evenings are
just a few of the examples that come to mind as I write this.
To paraphrase a quote by Lin Yutang: Peace
of mind is that mental condition in which you have prepared for the worst. I hope you never have to deal with "the worst," but best to have a back-up plan, just in case.
Do you have an example of how you achieve peace of mind through preparation?
-- Janet
* Pre-order here http://www.amazon.com/The-House-that-Love-Built/dp/1595548890/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1345660350&sr=8-2&keywords=the+house+that+love+built
** Pre-order here http://www.amazon.com/Amish-Kitchen-Beth-Wiseman/dp/1401685676/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345660426&sr=1-1&keywords=an+amish+kitchen
July 31, 2012
His Love Endures Forever -- Read the First Chapter!
An unplanned pregnancy. An absent father.
Can love really endure all things?
Danielle Kent is anything but Amish. Just her luck to fall in love with an Amish guy. Now she’s 18, pregnant, and hopeful that the child’s Amish father—Matthew Lapp—will do the right thing and marry her. She knows Matthew plans to leave his Colorado settlement for a life in the Englisch world. But that plan never included a baby.
When Matthew walks away from her and their unborn child, she has nowhere to turn. Her unlikely friendship with Levi offers some comfort—yet they have so little in common. This wasn’t the plan she had for her life, and she’s never felt so alone. She doesn’t want to be pregnant. Doesn’t want to be Amish. Doesn’t want to trust God.
And yet…God has plans beyond what her mind can imagine…loving plans to show a lost young woman that His love never goes away but endures forever.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FIRST CHAPTER!
Available for pre-order anywhere that books are sold
Coming October 2012
July 25, 2012
Did You Know July is National Ice Cream Month?
Yum! I LOVE ice cream, even though I rarely eat it. Perhaps, in light of National Ice Cream Month...we should all indulge?
I wandered off on this tangent because this interesting article popped up in my inbox today:
http://www.yourdailyjournal.com/view/full_story/19489980/article-Sizzling-summer-boosts-ice-cream%E2%80%99s-popularity
I'm a chocolate girl! What's your favorite?
Have a great rest of the week. Try to stay cool. Have some ice cream! I am hoping to type THE END on The House that Love Built SOON!
Blessings,
Beth
July 13, 2012
His Love Endures Forever ARC Winner
I only received four Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) of His Love Endures Forever, so I can only offer one, but I promise, when the finished copies are ready for shipping, I'll have more and there WILL be more giveaways. Stay tuned to this blog and my Facebook page, so you'll be sure to get in on them. But now, on to the real news: Jennifer Maynard, I hope you are reading this and jumping up and down right now. You are the winner!
Now, back to The House That Love Built...... for me.
Hope you all have a great weekend.
Blessings,
Beth
July 9, 2012
Book Giveaway -- ARC for His Love Endures Forever
Hi Everyone and Happy Monday!
I've been busy finishing up my latest contemporary--The House that Love Built. Here's a bit about it:
Brooke has only loved one man.
Owen’s heart is filled with bitterness.
Can a mysterious house bring them together for a second chance at love?
In the small town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising six-year-old Meghan and ten-year-old Spencer on her own two years after her husband's death. Being a single-mom and running the family’s local hardware store keeps her busy. While Meghan longs for a daddy, Spencer has threatened to run away if Brooke even goes out on a date. But the last thing on Brooke’s mind is falling in love. When a stranger moves to town and buys a house with a mysterious past, Brooke can’t contain her curiosity. As she spends time with the new owner, she wonders if maybe God is giving her another chance at happiness.
Owen Saunders fled the big city to start over in a small, rural town famous for baking the world’s largest gingerbread man. Then he bought an old house to restore—for all the wrong reasons. If anything needs restoration, it is Owen’s heart in the aftermath of his failed marriage. With little hope and lost faith, Owen is tempted by happiness when he meets Brooke, but his heart remains sealed shut.
As they learn more about Owen’s house, one thing becomes obvious to both of them: God has put them together for a reason.
AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER HERE.
AND -- as promised -- I'm going to give away one Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of His Love Endures Forever! This is book #3 in the Land of Canaan series, and it releases in September! One winner will be chosen from comments that are left ON THIS BLOG ONLY. So, if you are reading this on Amish Hearts, Facebook, or anywhere else...please leave a comment here for your chance to win. Please consider subscribing! Winner will be announced here this Friday! Good luck! 
An unplanned pregnancy. An absent father. Can love really endure all things?
Danielle Kent is anything but Amish. Just her luck to fall in love with an Amish guy.
Now she’s 18, pregnant, and hopeful that the child’s Amish father—Matthew Lapp—will do the right thing and marry her. She knows Matthew plans to leave his Colorado settlement for a life in the Englisch world. But that plan never included a baby.
When Matthew walks away from her and their unborn child, she has nowhere to turn. Her unlikely friendship with Levi offers some comfort--yet they have little in common. He’s Amish, she’s not. She doesn’t want to be pregnant. Doesn’t want to be Amish. Doesn’t want to trust God.
And yet.God has plans beyond what her mind can imagine . . . loving plans to show a lost young woman that His love never goes away but endures forever.
Hope you all have a great week!
Beth
June 29, 2012
Oh my! It's Hot!
My friend Diana and I walk every morning at 7 a.m. We've been walking 3.2 miles down my country road. It's a great walk down to the historic bridge, with trees arching above providing plenty of shade. This morning, we really pushed ourselves and went 5 miles. We have to start early because it's SO hot, even in the shade.
I just received a few advanced reader copies of His Love Endures Forever (book #3 in the Land of Canaan series). I'll be giving one away next week. Until then...Happy Friday, and have a great weekend!
Beth
June 22, 2012
Could this be Layla, Darlene’s neighbor?
What do you think? Could this be Layla in Need You Now?
Photo
credit: NICHOLAS DRANEY/Standard-Examiner
Huge brown eyes, long blonde hair, long sleeved shirt tucked
into jeans. A possibly mid-forties
cowgirl that “could have walked straight off the set of any western
movie.” Beautiful, tall, graceful.
More about Layla from Chapter One:
She gave her horse a little kick in the flank, then eased
through a gate that divided her acreage from Brad and Darlene’s. She closed it behind her from atop her horse
and headed toward the large house on top of the sloping hillside. Coming from town, the spacious estate was
fully visible from the road and her youngest daughter called it the ‘mansion on
the hill.’ The rest of the family took to calling it that too. In comparison to their rundown farmhouse,
Darlene supposed it was a mansion. Both
homes were probably built in the late 1800s, but Layla’s was completely
restored, at least on the outside, with fresh yellow paint and white trim. A split-rail, cedar fence also surrounded the
yard, and toward the back of the property, a bright red barn lit up the
hayfield not far from a good-sized pond.
A massive iron gate—that stayed closed most of the time—welcomed
visitors down a long, winding driveway.
And there were lots of livestock—mostly Longhorns and horses. If the wind was blowing just right, sometimes
Darlene could hear faint music coming from the house.
What do you think?
If, and that’s a huge if, they were to make a movie of Need You Now, would Layla look like this
model? Which actress would you cast to
play her role?
May 23, 2012
THE VOTES ARE IN! 7 New Stories Coming!
What secret has Bishop Ebersol been keeping from everyone in the community? (Daughters of the Promise series)
Finally married, Linda and Stephen are unable to conceive. Will they turn to modern medicine for help? Or is adoption an option? (Plain Paradise)
Precocious Betsy, with her above-average IQ, is all grown up. Will the plain ways of the Amish be enough for her? (Land of Canaan series)
The love story of Jonas and Irma Rose. (Daughters of the Promise series)
Why are Miriam and Saul forced to move back to Lancaster County? (Plain Proposal)
How does Kade’s past threaten to destroy his new life with Sadie? (Plain Promise)
Jacob is married to Beth Ann, who “wears the pants in the family.” Sparks fly when Jacob claims head of his household.
The way it will work -- I'll finish a story, it will go through editing and proofing, then my publisher will offer it digitally online. Once all the stories are complete, they will all appear in the paperback version. I don't have exact digital publications dates, but I will keep you informed and let you know when each story is available for download. And if you aren't a fan of Kindle, Nook, etc...no worries...the stories will be in paperback too.
This should be lots of fun. I'm not sure which order I'll write them in. The characters will let me know. Right now, jonas and Irma Rose are screaming pretty loud to be heard.
Peace and blessings everyone!
Beth
