Suzanne Woods Fisher's Blog, page 41

Author Spotlight: Annabel Lee by Mike Nappa

Congratulations to the winner of the Author Spotlight giveaway of The Red Door Inn, Caitlin McCutcheon. Please email info {at} suzannewoodsfisher {dot} com to claim your prize.

Welcome Mike Nappa author of Annabel Lee, to Author Spotlight! Keep reading to find out how you can enter to win a copy of his latest release.

Introduce us to you as an author: When did you get bit with the writing bug? How would you describe your writing style?

I don’t remember exactly when I decided I wanted to be a writer, but it was early on—I loved reading so much (especially comic books) that I wanted to create books and comics too. I used to fold a stack of notebook paper in half, staple the folded edge, and then fill it up with what I thought were page-turning, exciting stories. (“Bladey, the Super Blade of Grass!” anyone?) I do remember that when I was nine or ten years old, I read—and loved—The Runt of Rogers School by Harold Keith. By that time Mr. Keith had already won a Newbery Award, and I started reading anything I could find with his name on it. Then Mr. Keith came to my school to make an author appearance! I was so excited to meet him! He was kind of a crusty old guy with what I now recognize was a dry sense of humor. Back then most people wrote books longhand, on big yellow legal pads, and Mr. Keith was no exception. When it came time for questions, I was the first to raise my hand; I nearly jumped out of my seat to get his attention. “I want to be a writer,” I said, “but when I write stories my hand cramps up and it hurts. What should I do?” Looking back on it now, I think he could have given me all kinds of practical advice, like “Learn how to use a typewriter” or “Take breaks to stretch your hand when you write” or “Try recording your stories on a cassette tape.” Instead he kind of chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Find a new career,” he said, and then he moved on to the next question. I was stunned, and I don’t even remember the rest of his visit. After that, I spent 10 years or so thinking I could never be a writer because the great Harold Keith had told me I wasn’t cut out for the job. It wasn’t until I was in college (and learned how to type) that I started thinking seriously again about writing professionally. Turns out Mr. Keith was wrong about me, so that’s a relief.

As for my writing style, I don’t really know how to describe it. Some people have compared it favorably to authors like Dean Koontz or Dennis Lehane, but I don’t know how accurate that is. Mostly I just dream up a movie in my head and then try to write down what I see going on in there. So maybe “cinematic” is the right word to describe my writing? I’m not sure—maybe you can tell me?

Tell us about your new release:

Annabel Lee is the story of an eleven-year-old wunderkind raised in rural Alabama. One day her mysterious uncle sweeps her out of bed and deposits her in an underground bunker hidden on their property. “Don’t open that door for anybody,” he says as he leaves. “Not even me, not unless you hear me say the safe code.” So she waits as the days and weeks go by. And she worries. And she tries to maintain her sanity, completely unaware of what’s happening above her head. Completely unaware that her uncle has been killed—and he’s never coming back.

And then, you know, things happen.

And there’s a vicious German Shepherd guard dog involved, and a really bad, bad guy, and a few good guys, and stuff like that. And maybe Annabel survives, and maybe she doesn’t, and maybe we’ll never know what really happened to her down in that bunker. Guess you’ll have to read the book and see for yourself.

How can readers connect with you online?

The most reliable way to get in touch with me is through the “Contact Us” page at my e-magazine, www.FamilyFans.com.

Anything new for you on the book horizon?

I’ve finished the second book in the Coffey & Hills series, which is titled The Raven. It’s a story of a young street magician/petty thief who gets caught trying to blackmail a member of the Ukrainian mafia. And then, you know, things happen.The Raven releases in fall of 2016.

Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well?

I find that, for me, the hardest part of writing is the “not writing” part that comes before I ever start tapping on a keyboard. My wife can take a deep breath, sit down and start typing away. I just can’t do that. If I try to, I sit and stare at blank pages, or write words that I know are awful and end up deleting anyway.

So, to get my brain cylinders firing, I will actually spend weeks (or sometimes months) doing nothing but thinking about a book. Literally eight hours a day, or more, just thinking. I stare out windows, I strum nonsense tunes on a guitar, I hold a Chihuahua in my lap and map the color patterns in his fur, I take unnecessary baths, I lay awake at night and draw shapes in the shadows on the ceiling. You get the idea. When I finally get to the point where it feels like I’m seeing the book being acted out in my head, that’s when I start writing. Then it’s almost like I’m copying it from my brain to the page—and it reads a lot better than if I’d tried to just sit down and write on some arbitrary daily schedule or timeline. I had to learn to be comfortable with “not writing” in order write successfully.

When I first quit my editorial job to begin writing full time, that paradoxical writing process drove my wife crazy. “You’re supposed to be working!” she’d say to me. “I am working!” I’d say. “But you’re just standing there!” she’d say. “I know!” I’d say. Then she’d throw her hands up and walk away frustrated. But my system works. Over the years I’ve published more than 50 books in practically all genres, and they all started with me just standing or sitting around, thinking.

And for the record, my wife my now supports my methodology of inertia. Recently I was complaining to her about how I was having trouble getting started on book 3 in the Coffey & Hill series. She pointed me toward an open window and said, “Get to work!”

Why do you write?

I wish I could say something lofty and important here. Something like, “I write because of my great calling … I write to make Jesus known in my world … I write to make life better for people everywhere …” I’d love to be able to say those things, but the honest-to-God truth is that I write because I can’t not write. It’s almost physically painful for me not to be able smear words across a computer screen. This is the way God created me, the way he shaped me through the years of my life, and the way he’s planted me in my profession. It’s kind of annoying sometimes, because I’m often juggling several ideas at once in my head, and I have trouble keeping up with all of them.

For instance, many years ago, I started a juvenile fiction novel about a group of orphans who become a kid-superhero team. I had the whole story mapped out in my head. It was kind of fun, so I wrote the first few chapters and read them out loud to my son, who was around 10 years old at the time. He loved it. “When can I read the rest?” he asked. “I have a deadline on another book first,” I told him, “but I’ll write the rest of Infinity’s Children for you after that.” He frowned. “Promise?” he said. “Sure, I promise,” I said. Then I went off and finished that other book. Afterward, I came back to my son’s superhero tale … and could NOT remember what happened. No matter what I did, I couldn’t bring the story back. My son is mid-twenties, now, married, with two kids of his own, and he still insists that I finish that book. “You promised me,” he says. It’s the only promise to him that I’ve ever broken! But I just can’t remember the story.

That experience taught me two things: 1) Never make casual promises to children, and 2) Write notes to yourself when you think you have a good idea! Now I have a file on my computer with over a hundred book ideas, who-knows-how-many unfinished manuscripts, and all kinds of notes to myself so that if I ever decide I want to write something I can remind myself what it was all about.

All that to say … I write, I guess, because I don’t know how not to write. And because I’m hoping someday I’ll be able to finally keep a promise I made to my kid a long time ago.

What are you best known for … writing or otherwise?

I started out writing Sunday School curriculum and youth ministry resources (I was a youth pastor for a few years). But most people know me because of my inspirational and family books—those are the ones that have actually paid a few of my bills over the years. Interestingly, those are also the books that also almost kept me from writing suspense novels.

A number of years ago there was a night when I couldn’t sleep. I was bored, so I spent the time making up the premise for a suspense novel. Afterward I figured, why not? and I started writing it. When it came time to pitch the novel to publishers, no editor would read it. My agent at the time explained it this way: “They keep telling me, ‘Mike Nappa is an inspirational writer. He can’t write suspense.’” So I did what any stubborn writer would do. I erased my name completely from the manuscript and made up a pen name instead—a woman’s name. I re-submitted the manuscript to one of the publishers who’d seen it (and not read it) a year prior. I told them the author was a homemaker in Florida, and that this was her first attempt at writing. I had a contract offer on my desk in three weeks. In the end, I wrote three novels under that pen name—it was the only way I could get anyone to look at my fiction until Vicki Crumpton and Revell came along. I’m grateful to finally be able to publish novels under my own name now.

Ever had a bad review? How did you handle it?

Wait a minute … are you suggesting that some writers out there DON’T get bad reviews?? Oh man, am I the only one who gets creamed by critics and random readers on Amazon? How embarrassing.

Yes, I get bad reviews, more frequently that I care to admit. My writing has inspired anger, derision, insults, and formal rebukes—and that’s just from my family! There are also plenty of strangers out there who hate my work and wish I’d just shut up for a while. My favorite was the guy who sent me a letter telling me I was corrupting children with my writing and that I was going to end up in hell with CS Lewis if I didn’t repent. That’s probably the only time my name will ever be mentioned in the same sentence as CS Lewis, so at least there’s that.

Christian readers tell me that my fiction is not religious enough. Non-Christian readers tell me that my fiction is too religious. I’ve been told my stories are too scary and thus inappropriate for religious readers, and not scary enough and therefore boring for mainstream readers. I’ve been told my theology is both too conservative and too liberal, that I’m too politically correct, that I’m intolerant and politically incorrect, that I’m just an arrogant jerk writing arrogant trash, and so on.

So what do I do when I get a bad review? Usually I obsess about it for a while, worry that this reviewer has finally unmasked the fact that I’m an imposter faking my way through a writing career, and make plans to give up writing for a job at the local Panera restaurant where at least I can eat a cinnamon bagel when I’m feeling down.

Then I sigh and forget about it.

Hey, everybody hates somebody’s book. I hate a few of my own books myself. Why should I be upset if somebody else does too? If I can’t take a bad review, then I don’t belong in publishing.

So I try to ignore bad reviews and move on. Which means, to be fair, I ignore most good reviews too. The truth about a book is usually somewhere in between the rapturous praise and the snarky derision, so I take it all with a grain of salt. In the end all that matters is that I know I did the best I could with the meager talent I have. The rest is an “SEP” (“Somebody Else’s Problem”).

What do you least like about being a writer? Most like?

I really dislike all the pressure to pursue celebrity in order to be able to publish books. I don’t like having to invest time and energy and expertise on social media, on keeping press lists, on writing press releases and begging for media coverage, on trying to create a significant promotional platform, and so on. I became a writer because I wanted to write, not because I wanted to become a marketing and publicity professional. All that stuff just sucks time, and honestly, doesn’t yield the benefit that most writers (and their publishers) hope it will. Still, I don’t have a better idea for how to sell books , so I just have to live in the world as it is instead of the world as I wish it would be.

What do I like most about being a writer? I like it when I forget that I wrote something and then read or hear it again years later and say to myself, “Hey, that’s pretty good. Did I write that?” Of course, most often I read something I wrote years back and think, “Wow, that’s crap. How did that get published?” But sometimes I like my writing, and when that happens, it feels nice.

What advice would you give to new writers?

This is going to sound sarcastic, but I’m 100% serious. The best advice I can give to new writers is to marry someone who can support your family with one income.

There’s a reason why most art and literature in times past was created through a system of wealthy benefactors who paid living expenses while an artist/writer spent each day creating art. It’s because art in itself (including literature) isn’t typically a big moneymaker for the artist/writer. A few make a lot; most of the rest of us make just a little. So, no Virginia, you probably won’t be able to support your family by working solely as a writer. My advice then? Find a spouse who loves you enough to support your talent by working a real job that pays the family mortgage and grocery bill for you. If you don’t have the pressure of scrambling to make ends meet every month, you can invest yourself in creative effort and quite possibly produce a real, timeless work of art. Or two.

Who’s your favorite character you’ve written so far? Explain:

My first suspense novel (written under a pen name) featured a Civil War era vigilante named The Sinner. In his constant pursuit of justice, he struggled to comprehend the awful/beautiful truth of forgiveness. I wrote his story through journal entries, and many of those entries came directly from my own personal writings and struggles, so I felt very intimate with that character, like he was a reflection of something deep inside me. I thought it was funny that after my wife read that book, she asked me, “Where did you find The Sinner’s journal? Was it online or at the library?” She’d watched me write the book, but was still surprised to hear I’d made up The Sinner’s most intimate thoughts. She thought I’d copied those parts from somewhere else as part of my historical research for the book.

Best indulgence:

I collect Captain America comic books. In fact, I own every Captain America comic book published in my lifetime. Yeah, it’s juvenile and a colossal waste of time and money, but it brings me joy, so I’m OK with it. My dream is to write at least one Captain America story before I die. And yes, I have a framed rejection letter from Joe Quesada, the Chief Creative Officer at Marvel Comics, telling me I’m not good enough to do that. I’m hoping that he, like Harold Keith, is wrong about me. We’ll have to wait and see, I guess.

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Amish Wisdom Recap: Planted with Hope, Friendship Bread, & Maple Bacon Whoopie Pies

If you haven’t had a chance to take a stroll around Amish Wisdom lately, here is a recap of what went on this week:

On Monday’s Book Nook, we got the scoop on the latest release in the Pinecraft Pie Shop series, Planted with Hope by Tricia Goyer and Sherry Gore.

Do the Amish make friendship bread? Find out from our Amish Scribe on Ask the Amish.

Suzanne Woods Fisher gave a look at the plain and simple life of the Amish on Beyond the Bonnets.

Sherry Gore shared a recipe for maple bacon whoopie pies on Cook’s Corner.

Make sure to stop by Amish Wisdom today and answer the trivia question for the chance to win a copy of Amish Values for Your Family.

On Sale!

The Haven: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Lesson: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

And get the first book in the series FREE (for a limited time only):

The Keeper: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

Penn Dutch Proverbs: Punctuality

Proverb: Wer net kummt zu rechder Zeit, der freest was iwwrich bleibt.

Translation: He who does not come in time, must take what is left.

What it really means: Latecomers take leavings.

On Sale!

Available at these retailers:

The Haven: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Lesson: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

And get the first book in the series FREE (for a limited time only):

The Keeper: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

Author Spotlight: The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

Congratulations to the winner of the Author Spotlight giveaway of The Prophetess, SHAUN PAULSEN. Please email info {at} suzannewoodsfisher {dot} com to claim your prize.

Welcome Liz Johnson, author of The Red Door Inn, to Author Spotlight! Keep reading to find out how you can enter to win a copy of her latest release.

Introduce us to you as an author: When did you get bit with the writing bug? How would you describe your writing style?

I wrote my first story when I was seven and signed my first book contract at 27. During those 20 years I wrote dozens of stories and so many really terrible books. But I had the bug, and I couldn’t stop. And with each book, my writing was getting a little better. Since my first published book, a romantic suspense novel, I’ve written all sorts of things—contemporary romances, more suspense, an historical novella, and even a handful of Christmas short stories. In all of these, my style is fairly relaxed. I like to add bits of humor, even in tense and scary scenes, and I always look for the hope in every story.

Tell us about your new release:

The Red Door Inn is the story of three people and the house that brings them together. Marie Carrington is running from a host of bad memories. Broke and desperate, she’s hoping to find safety and sanctuary on Prince Edward Island, where she reluctantly agrees to help decorate a renovated bed-and-breakfast before it opens for prime tourist season.

Seth Sloane didn’t move three thousand miles to work on his uncle Jacks’s B&B so he could babysit a woman with a taste for expensive antiques and a bewildering habit of jumping every time he brushes past her. He came to help Jack restore the old Victorian—and to forget about the fiancée who broke his heart.

The only thing Marie and Seth agree on is that getting the Red Door Inn ready to open in just two months will take everything they’ve got. Can these wounded souls find hope, healing, and perhaps a bit of romance on this beautiful island?

How can readers connect with you online?

The easiest way to keep up with me is on my website at lizjohnsonbooks.com. You can sign up for my author newsletter there too. And I’m also at Facebook.com/lizjohnsonbooks, twitter.com/lizjohnsonbooks, and pinterest.com/lizjohnsonbooks.

Anything new for you on the book horizon?

What I’m working on now is also what’s coming next for me. Where Two Hearts Meet is the second book in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series, and it releases in October. When a bed-and-breakfast chef mistakes a guest for a visiting travel writer, the future of the inn she loves is on the line—and so is her heart.

Do you prefer reading physical books or e-readers?

I’ll always love physical books, but I surprised myself when I picked up an e-reader a couple years ago and really enjoyed it too. I like that I can carry a whole library with me on vacation in my e-reader. But nothing beats the smell of ink and paper in my hands.

Why do you write?

God gives us each talents, and I believe that we’re called to use those for His glory. Like the parable in the New Testament says, we’re not to hide our gifts in the ground. We’re to cultivate and grow them. So I continue to try to improve my writing and use it to point readers to God’s amazing love.

What are you best known for … writing or otherwise?

I think it depends who you ask! If you ask my family, I’m known as a pretty good gift giver and the one who brings everyone together. (It’s a perk of being the only one who moved away. When I’m home everyone wants to get together so we can spend as much time together as possible.) If you ask my friends, I’m the girl who tells a whole lot of funny stories and knows way too much useless trivia. If you ask my boss, I’m the one who handles all the details and manages to keep everything on schedule. If you ask my readers, I’m the author who loves to weave humor into stories of true love, reminding them that God is always with them.

What book have you reread the most?

Great question! It’s a toss-up between The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer. The Witch of Blackbird Pond, the Newberry Medal winner from 1959, is a gorgeous story of an outsider who comes to a Puritan settlement in the late 1600s and befriends a Quaker woman. The Potato Peel Pie Society is told through letters as a writer searches for a topic for her next book and befriends the people of Guernsey. These are my two very favorite books, and I have several copies of each—one of which has lost its spine due to too many readings. At first glance they don’t seem to have much in common, but at their hearts they’re about how close-knit communities welcome outsiders—or don’t—and the families we choose.

If you weren’t able to write, what would you do?

If I weren’t able to write, I’d still have to get the stories out of my head, so I’d probably never stop talking. That would definitely get in the way of my day job as a marketing and editorial manager for a nonfiction team at a Christian publisher in Nashville. It’s a good thing I can juggle both.

What book is on the top of your TBR pile?

After a crazy year of writing deadlines, my TBR pile is out. Of. Control. But at the top of my list are Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen, a regency romance, and First & Then by Emma Mills, a YA mashup of Pride and Prejudice and football—two of my favorites.

Ever had a bad review? How did you handle it?

Ever? I’ve had my fair share. And they sting. They just do. It’s so hard not to take them personally or become discouraged by them, but I’ve learned a couple things over the years. First, a review often says more about the reviewer than it does the book. Someone very wise once said that when an author publishes a book, it ceases to belong to the author and now belongs to the reader. And each reader brings her own experiences and preferences to a book. So I remind myself that I can’t write a book for everyone. I have to write the story in my heart and trust that God will take care of the rest. Second, I have to remain open to the idea that there may be something for me to learn from the review. Some bad reviews are zingers, but others are thoughtful commentaries. So if there’s a comment that can help me improve my writing or make my next book better, I try to pay attention.

Write the story of your heart & trust God will take care of the rest! @lizjohnsonbooks
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Can a person make a living as a writer?

I think that depends entirely on the person. I know a handful of writers who support their whole families on their writing income. And I know many whose writing income is a second for the household. And then there are a number of writers (single and married), who work a full-time job and write on the side. I definitely fall into that last category, although my brother has been asking me when I’m going to begin writing full time since my first book contract. But whether a writer is making her living entirely by her pen or not isn’t really a concern for me. Great writers are great writers, and they pour hours of love, sweat, and tears into their books. I appreciate their efforts and want to support favorite and new-to-me authors every chance I get by buying books, telling friends about them, and making sure my local library is carrying them.

What was your biggest break?

My big break was being pulled me out of the slush pile. (If you’re not familiar with the phrase, the slush pile is a stack of unsolicited manuscripts sent by authors to a publisher for consideration.) Sometimes I forget just how incredible it is to be pulled out of what can be a bit of a black hole, but I’m so thankful. I wrote a novel in 2007 and sent my proposal to Love Inspired Suspense. I had no contacts there, no agent, and no idea what my odds were. Several months later, I received a very nice rejection letter from an editor there. She liked my story and my writing, but the book didn’t meet the guidelines for the series. So I asked if I could make changes and resubmit. She sent me a list of edits, and I got to work. We went back and forth four times before I finally got “the call” that she wanted to buy my first book, The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn. Years later I asked how she ever picked my book, and she said that they had hired a reader to skim the slush pile and mark any with potential. Mine landed on the top of the list. That editor and I have worked on six more books together, and I’m still grateful that she saw something worthy in that first manuscript.

Are you an introvert? Extrovert? In-between?

I am definitely an introvert. I like being around other people and will gladly start up a conversation with a stranger. But I crave alone time to recharge my batteries. I don’t usually get to travel to Arizona to be with my family for Thanksgiving (since I always fly back for a week at Christmas), so I generally spend the long weekend in a cabin by myself. My friends usually invite me to their homes and look so sad at the prospect of me spending the weekend alone. But it’s one of my favorite times of the year. I get to catch up on books, go for peaceful walks, and watch all the terrible Christmas movies I can find. And when it’s time to go back to work, I feel refreshed and ready to go.

My great adventure has been…

Moving wherever God leads. I grew up and went to college in Arizona, but I always wanted to work in Christian publishing. When God opened that door with a job in Oregon, I moved 1100 miles to a town I’d never even heard of until then. Two months later, my company was sold, and my job was moved to Colorado Springs. Another 1100-mile move. Another new start. Three and half wonderful years later God opened the door for me to work with one of my very favorite authors, but it meant a move to Nashville, another fresh start. I moved here the week before the flood of 2010. As I watched the waters rise in my backyard, creeping ever-closer to my patio, I called my mom and told her I’d made the worst mistake of my life. Still, God was faithful, and the last six years have been an incredible time of personal growth and sweet friendships. I’ll go wherever He leads. It’s always an adventure.

Best indulgence:

Peanut butter M&Ms and a facial. But not at the same time.

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Amish Wisdom Recap: Promise Lodge, Adult Coloring Books, & Butter Pecan Ice Cream

If you haven’t had a chance to take a stroll around Amish Wisdom lately, here is a recap of what went on this week:

On Monday’s Book Nook, Charlotte Hubbard shared the inspiration behind her new release, Promise Lodge.

Do Amish women ever cut their hair? Find out from our Amish Scribe on Ask the Amish.

Lisa Bogart discussed the colorful twist on devotional time on Almost Amish.

Tricia Goyer shared a recipe for butter pecan ice cream (yum!) from Planted with Hope on Cook’s Corner.

 

Make sure to stop by Amish Wisdom today and answer the trivia question for the chance to win a copy of Amish Values for Your Family.

On Sale!

Available at these retailers:

The Haven: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Lesson: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

And get the first book in the series FREE (for a limited time only):

The Keeper: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

Penn Dutch Proverbs: Six of One

Proverb: Es is lang as breet.

Translation: As long as it is broad.

What it really means: Six of one, half dozen of the other. Or…makes no difference.

On Sale!

Available at these retailers:

The Haven: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Lesson: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

And get the first book in the series FREE (for a limited time only):

The Keeper: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

Amish Wisdom Spotlight: Charlotte Hubbard

When my Seasons of the Heart series ended, and it was time to propose a new one, I got the wild idea to set the Promise Lodge series at an abandoned church camp in a rural town I called Promise, Missouri! Because so many readers have gone to church camp, I figured the setting would bring to mind a timbered lodge with rows of little brown cabins, a lake, shaded woods—you get the picture. And an abandoned camp would be an affordable place for the Bender sisters, Mattie, Christine, and Rosetta, to buy so they could start a new Plain colony, away from the rise of vandalism in Coldstream. They sell their farms, pool their money, and never look back—and they ignore everyone who says Amish women can’t do that.

Preacher Amos Troyer goes to Promise Lodge with the sisters because he’s disgusted with the Coldstream bishop’s lack of control over his teenage son—and because he and Mattie were engaged back in the day. Now that they’ve raised their families and they’re both widowed, the sparks are flying again.

Promise Lodge has a row of cabins needing repair, a lodge with rooms Rosetta plans to rent to single Plain women, Rainbow Lake, an overgrown orchard, and plenty of room for Christine’s dairy herd and for Mattie to raise garden vegetables and sell them at a roadside stand. The good-looking Mennonite neighbor, Truman, who helps them with tree removal and other major improvements, is a definite plus—and he falls for Rosetta right off, even though he’s not allowed to marry an Old Order Amish woman. In so many ways, Promise Lodge seems like paradise for these folks who crave a fresh start.

But trouble follows them in the unwitting form of Deborah Peterscheim, who comes seeking forgiveness from Mattie’s son, Noah, for breaking their engagement. The secrets and fears she can’t fully confess will eventually bring heartache—and the Coldstream bishop’s errant son—to wreak havoc at tranquil Promise Lodge. And just when Mattie, Christine, and Rosetta think they’ve put a headstrong, contrary Coldstream bishop behind them, along comes Bishop Floyd Lehman, claiming God has already proclaimed him the new leader of Promise Lodge. When he moves in with his family, his first plan is to make the sisters get married and give up their new pursuits.

Will the Bender sisters prevail over Bishop Floyd? Will Noah forgive Deborah and propose to her again? Will Mattie and Amos get hitched? You’ll find these answers and more—along with recipes!—in Promise Lodge, the first book of my new series. For an excerpt and a peek at those recipes, go to my website, www.CharlotteHubbard.com. I think you’re gonna love these folks!

Head over to Amish Wisdom to win a copy of Promise Lodge below!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

Amish Wisdom Recap: An Amish Market, Favorite Cookbooks, Penn Dutch, & Asparagus Casserole

If you haven’t had a chance to take a stroll around Amish Wisdom lately, here is a recap of what went on this week:

On Monday’s Book Nook, Amy Clipston shared character look-a-likes from her novella in An Amish Market and a book giveaway!

What is your favorite Amish cookbook? Share your answer on this week’s Reader Bag.

During Beyond the Bonnets, I gave a quick history lesson on Penn Dutch.

Jennifer Beckstrand shared a delicious Amish recipe for Asparagus Casserole on Cook’s Corner.

Make sure to stop by Amish Wisdom today and answer the trivia question for the chance to win a copy of Amish Values for Your Family.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

Penn Dutch Proverbs: Tears and Smiles

Proverb: Er hot’s Lache un Heile in eem Sack.

Translation: Tears and smiles in the same poke.

What it really means: It’s a hard thing to laugh and cry both with a breath.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

Author Spotlight: The Prophetess by Jill Eileen Smith

Congratulations to the winner of the Author Spotlight giveaway of On Lone Star Trail, Leanna Morris. Please email info {at} suzannewoodsfisher {dot} com to claim your prize.

Welcome Jill Eileen Smith, author of  The Prophetess , to Author Spotlight! Keep reading to find out how you can enter to win a copy of her latest release.

Introduce us to you as an author: When did you get bit with the writing bug? How would you describe your writing style?

I wrote poetry in my teens, but didn’t really jump headfirst into the writer’s ocean until I was in my late twenties, early thirties. I wanted to read a novel on King David’s life and couldn’t find one, so I began to write the book I wanted to read. That eventually became the Wives of King David series.

My writing style is somewhat serious with touches of dry humor. Our family loves dry humor and it comes to me rather naturally now after spending most of my life around my men.

Tell us about your new release:

The Prophetess, Deborah’s Story – is the story of Israel’s only female judge. She lived during the early period of the judges, a time when “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” She also lived at a time of terrorism, which we know from her victory song in Judges 5. One line of her song says, “When new gods were chosen, war was in the gates.” God sent judgment in the form of the harassment and oppression from Israel’s neighbors when Israel did not keep their eyes on the One True God.

How can readers connect with you online?

My website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Anything new for you on the book horizon?

In February, 2016, I have a new release – The Prophetess, Deborah’s Story, book 2 in the Daughters of the Promised Land series. I’m nearing the end of writing the 3rd book in the series – a story about Ruth, and also working on a novella about the Queen of Sheba for my Loves of King Solomon series.

After you started writing seriously, how long was it before you were published?

Twenty years. In the meantime, I homeschooled three sons, and taught piano lessons, all while living with years of writing rejections. I’m grateful God answered when He did though as I now have a career I love to fill my empty nest. (Of course, the cat helps with that empty nest thing too!)

Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well?

Sometimes it is coffee, sometimes black tea. I also use doTerra essential oils to set the mood in my office – some fragrances can be so uplifting! Sometimes taking a walk or riding my bike or just listening to worship music helps a lot. Sunshine and taking breaks with my hubby are great for letting the creative juices rest so I can return to the work refreshed.

What has been the biggest help to you in the journey to publication? Writers’ conferences? Writing groups? Your mom as your first-draft reader?

American Christian Fiction Writers conferences and various writing groups. These two things have directly contributed to my growth as a writer and allowed me to meet editors and agents to bring me to where I am today.

Do you prefer reading physical books or e-readers?

Both. I really like the physical book, but when I travel, I love my Kindle. I can fit so much on an e-reader and it’s lightweight. My only complaint is the battery life, so I have to remember to keep wifi turned off. But physical books are like old friends. I’ll never outgrow the enjoyment they bring.

Why do you write?

I believe it’s the work God has called me to do. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that God has chosen in advance work for us to do. As His child, that applies to me, and I believe He has called me to this moment to write the type of books I write. I want to fulfill the work He has for me.

What are you best known for … writing or otherwise?

Writing biblical fiction, I guess. Otherwise, a wife and a mom to three grown sons and two daughters-in-law – and one soon-to-be grandchild. Personal and public lives intersect and overlap but I try to keep them somewhat separate.

What book have you reread the most?

Two From Galilee by Marjorie Holmes, hands down favorite. I reread that book every Christmas for years. I read it first at age 16—and that story brought the Bible to life for me. The last time I read it was four years ago when my dad died. It was comforting and still moved me.

Mara, Daughter of the Nile – It’s a YA novel set in ancient Egypt. I’ve read that one at least three times.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers – I’ve read that one twice and read her Mark of the Lion series twice as well.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – I’m on my second time through it.

What book is on the top of your TBR pile?

90 Days of God’s Goodness by Randy Alcorn – and I’m actually in process of reading it. I waiting on a book to read for endorsement as my next novel.

Ever had a bad review? How did you handle it?

Absolutely! After reading several that hurt too much, I stopped reading them. I will read some that my publisher sends to me, but reviews tend to either inflate egos or cause pain. I prefer to avoid both.

How do you solve a grammar dilemma?

Rewrite the sentence. ☺

What’s your favorite writing snack?

Chocolate

Can a person make a living as a writer?

Some can. It really depends on how well that writer’s particular books sell and no one has ever figured out how to make a bestseller. Publishers would bottle that knowledge and sell it if they could, but it seems to be hit and miss. Word of mouth will help an author if it leads people to buy their book. I would say, don’t quit your day job.

Are you an introvert? Extrovert? In-between?

Introvert with the ability to be outgoing if the need calls for it, but I’m drained by day’s end and need down time and tim

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.