Friday, January 22, 2016

AN AMISH YEAR - Beth Wiseman - One Free Book

Welcome back, Beth. Do you have a favorite genre to write? If so, what is it?
I’m blessed to be able to “genre hop” between Amish Fiction and Contemporary Fiction. I got my big writing break with an Amish series, at a time when no one in the industry really knew if Amish stories were going to stick. But after two Amish series and numerous Amish novellas, it’s still a hot genre eight years later. I enjoy writing about the Plain people, but I’ve also penned several non-Amish books—Need You Now, The House that Love Built, and The Promise. I’m grateful to my publisher, HarperCollins Christian Fiction, for allowing me to try new things. I think that by alternating between Amish and Non-Amish stories, it keeps me from getting bored with one genre or the other. I’m not sure I can pick a favorite genre, but all of my stories are relationship driven. I can’t imagine writing a book that didn’t delve deep into a character’s psyche.

If you didn’t live in the part of the country where you do, where would you live?
This is a question my husband and I continue to ponder. We love to travel, and there are still a lot of places we hope to visit. Hubby Patrick says we will know when we see that perfect place we were meant to live, but I’m wondering if I could ever leave my home state—Texas. You know what they say … it’s great to go on a trip, but it’s even better to arrive back home.

What foreign country would you like to visit and why?
Singapore. My oldest son has been working in Singapore for the past three years. It’s a gorgeous country filled with a hodgepodge of folks from all over the world. Son—Eric—wants us to visit there and experience that culture with him. I hope we are able to go soon!

That would be wonderful. Describe what you think would be the most romantic vacation you could take.
I’m pretty sure we’ve had the most romantic vacation we could take. I can’t imagine anything being more romantic than a recent trip to the Mexican Riviera. My husband’s employer gifted us with an “over the top” trip in 2014. We stayed in the Presidential Suite at Riviera Maya, complete with private butlers, our own pool, indoor/outdoor bathtubs, exquisite meals, private beach cabanas, and a host of other amenities that made it beyond romantic. Following a wonderful meal prepared by chefs in our suite, we followed a trail of rose petals to a bubble bath where rose petals floated atop luxurious bubbles, lit candles, and champagne. They were speaking my language, lol.

Sounds wonderful. James and I have spent time in Manzanilla, which is near the Mexican Riviera. It’s a lovely place. We had some romantic times on the beach right outside our hotel. We liked to walk the beach after midnight and sit in the beach lounges and listen to the waves while we talked. Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?
 Montana. I have no idea if there are Amish folks in Montana, but I’ve always wanted to visit that state. I’ve heard that it’s beautiful, and I think the movie The Horse Whisperer with Robert Redford fueled my desire to visit Montana.

I have one book set in Montana. What is the main theme of this novel?
There are four short stories in An Amish Year. Two of the novellas have been published before, and we added two new tales to the mix. While these short stories are romantic in nature, there are also strong secondary characters sharing the stage with the main players. These subplots not only enhance the romance, but also add aspects of interest to readers who don’t want just a straight romance. All of my books are reflective of my own life and always include themes of forgiveness, faith, hope, and love.

Tell us about the story.
My favorite story in the collection is A Love for Irma Rose. In 2008, I released my first book—Plain Perfect. It was Book #1 in the Daughters of the Promise series, and it included my most beloved characters—Jonas and Irma Rose. This elderly couple stole the hearts of readers, and for the past eight years readers have asked me to write their love story when they were teenagers. I was finally able to do that in this novella collection. The year is 1957, Burger King had just released the Whopper, “Jail House Rock” was playing at the movie theater, and Amish boys raced buggies for sport, much like they still do now. It was fun to write about that time period, incorporating the Amish ways into a story that revived my two most popular characters, and finally being able to give readers a story they’d asked for. 

Sounds like a fun read. Please give us the first page of the book.


A Love For Irma Rose by Beth Wiseman
1957, FIFTY-THREE YEARS EARLIER
Jonas clutched the reins with sweaty hands, his fingers twitching as he waited for Amos Hostetler to blow the whistle, signaling the start of the race. He glanced to his right and scanned the crowd, at least fifteen onlookers—including Irma Rose Kauffman. This buggy race down Blackhorse Road was more than a friendly competition. More than just a group of Amish kids enjoying their rumschpringe on a Saturday afternoon. He peered to his left at Isaac Lapp’s flaring nostrils, knowing that his rival for Irma Rose’s affections wanted to win as badly as he did. Jonas knew that pride was a sin, as Isaac surely did, but when it came to Irma Rose, Jonas figured Isaac’s thoughts were as jumbled as his own. Jonas had been waiting to court Irma Rose for three years, since right after his father died. He recalled the way she lit his soul at a time when his grief threatened to overtake him. And now that she was sixteen, her parents were allowing her a few freedoms. ​

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I hang out at “Fans of Beth Wiseman” on Facebook, but my website—www.bethwiseman.com —is a “one stop” for everything. There are book descriptions and trailers, a place to sign up for my newsletter, and the first chapter of all of my books are free on my website. A true “try before you buy” system, lol, with links to most retail sites. I’m also on Twitter @bethwiseman, and I have a site at Fine Art of America where I showcase my photography.

Thank you, Beth, for sharing this book with us. I know my readers will enjoy it, and I look forward to my copy arriving. I want to read about Jonas and Irma Rose.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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20 comments:

Anonymous said...

would love to win. angela in KY

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I love that Beth is setting her story in 1957. Thanks for sharing this first page and interview.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Judy said...

I can't wait to read more! Winning a copy would be great!

Judy B from Indiana

Melanie Backus said...

Thank you for a great interview.

Melanie Backus, TX

Mary Preston said...

I love Amish stories. A wonderful collection.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

justcommonly said...

Lovely interview! Love Amish stories! Thanks Lena & Beth.
Annie (MD)

apple blossom said...

love Amish stories thanks for the chance to win

kim hansen said...

Nice interview. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom. North Platte nebraska

Karen Sue Hadley said...

I enjoy her books. Thank you!

susanlulu said...

My teaching partner's sister lives in Singapore, and has for many years. I learned on The Amazing Race that they have more skyscrapers than anywhere in the world. I'd love to win this book. My favorite genre is Christian Amish Fiction.
Susan in NC
susanlulu(at)yahoo(dot)com

GrandaddyA said...

My wife and I enjoy reading Amish stories. I would love to win this one.
grandaddya[at]Comcast[dot]net

Tammi said...

I enjoyed the interview,and the excerpt from Beth's 'An Amish Year'. I think this is a book that I would really enjoy.

Tammi in Maine

dandtdearing {at} earthlink {dot} net

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in your great contest!!
Conway, SC.

Brenda Arrington said...

I love Amish books and Beth is one of my favorite authors.
Brenda in VA

BJM said...

I'm not familiar with this series, so I would love to read how it all started.

BJM in SC

EJ said...

I remember Irma Rose - looking forward to reading their story. And '57 is a great year - that's when my husband was born! Elaine in Wisconsin

Robin in NC said...

I would love to win a copy of Beth's new book! Thanks for the chance!
rw620 AT aol DOT com

rubynreba said...

I love Beth Wiseman's books!
Beth from IA

Terrill R. said...

I'm not a big novella reader, but Beth Wiseman writes them so well that I will always read them.

Terrill - WA

Emy Watson said...

What is the best publishing company?
I want to publish my Christian book