Sunday, September 06, 2009

AN AMISH CHRISTMAS - Kathleen Fuller, Barbara Cameron, Beth Wiseman - Free Books

This is the first time I've featured an Amish Christmas novella collection. I'm going to put the author pictures up in the order they are answering the questions. Welcome, Kathy, Barbara, and Beth. How did your story for the collection come about?

Kathy: I’ve always been interested in “beauty and the beast” type stories, especially in the reverse. I thought it would be particularly interesting to explore that through the Amish—people who value plainness in appearance. I also wanted to write about pride vs. humility, (hochmut and demut). The Amish strive for humility, which was a hard lesson for the hero to learn.

Barbara: Every writer can probably tell you that a story just “came” to them. I truly felt One Child was a gift from God. When I sat down to write it, it was like unwrapping that gift and getting it on the page. I do love stories about cultures colliding and that’s what happens when an Englisch man shows up on the doorstep of an Amish couple’s home at Christmastime.

Beth: I’m afraid I’ll have to say the story just “came” to me. I believe all my stories are inspired by God. He lets me know when it’s working and when it’s not.

What are you reading right now?

Kathy: Love Finds You in Revenge, Ohio, by Lisa Harris. It’s really good!

Barbara: I just finished revisions and have experienced a temporary eye problem so reading has been sidelined (don’t tell the eye doctor that I’m on the computer!) But Debby Mayne gave me a copy of her If the Dress Fits when I met her at a local Romance Writers of America meeting last month so that’ll be next.

Beth: I just finished A Man of His Word by our own Kathy Fuller. Loved this book! It releases in August. I’m starting Betrayed by Amy Clipston.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

Kathy: I’ve written over a dozen novels and novellas, my latest being a regency-set mystery romance series for Avalon, and the Hearts of Middlefield Amish series for Thomas Nelson.

Barbara: I’ve sold twenty-one books (fiction and non-fiction). An Amish Christmas and An Amish Gathering (Thomas Nelson) will appear this year. Then I’ll have a three book Amish series for Abingdon Press scheduled to appear in 2010 and 2011.

Beth: I’m working on my fourth novel for Thomas Nelson, in addition to the two collections of novellas written with Kathy and Barbara. Plain Perfect (my debut novel) released in September 2008, Plain Pursuit released this past April, and Plain Promise will be on the shelves in September. I’m contracted with Thomas Nelson for three more novels after that – Plain Paradise, Plain Proposal, and one that we haven’t named yet.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

Kathy: This is the third anthology I’ve been involved in, and the hardest part by far was weaving the stories together and coming up with crossover characters. But Beth and Barbara are fantastic to work with, and even though the process was challenging, it was fun, too!

Barbara: I agree with Kathy about weaving the characters together – it took a lot of e-mails! But it was great fun!

Beth: Ditto Kathy and Barbara! Lots of work, but great fun!

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

Kathy: I’ve made two very good friends. :-)

Barbara: I feel the same way! :-)

Beth: I was super honored to team up with these fantastic ladies! Biggest impact is definitely the friendships formed. ☺
How do you choose your characters’ names?

Kathy: I pick names I like. That’s pretty much it, nothing scientific about it.

Barbara: A name will just “resonate: -- it’ll feel right. Once I couldn’t write a character until I changed her name. Sounds crazy but it was almost like she was saying, “I don’t like it! I won’t do anything for you until you change it!” Very stubborn character. There are also certain names that are used in Paradise, Pa., and you can’t stray from those or the story won’t be authentic.

Beth: Picking names is a huge process for me. Sometimes it takes days until the right name fits the character. I’ve been known to change the name midway through a manuscript because, like Barbara, the character was screaming that it just wasn’t the right name!

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

Kathy: I want the reader to be entertained, to say that reading my novella was time well spent.

Barbara: I hope the reader will feel she’s been for a visit with characters who become friends she’ll want to go back and re-visit.

Beth: My story is about forgiveness, one woman’s ability to forgive two men who both betrayed her. I hope the reader will be entertained, but also think about how freeing it can be to truly forgive.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?

Kathy: Yes. It’s a great organization. The benefits to writers are too numerous to name, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without being a part of ACFW.

Barbara: I’ve heard great things about ACFW so I intend to join soon.

Beth: Absolutely! I can’t wait to get to the conference in September. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Denver. It’s a writer’s high – the fellowship, the classes, the speakers, hooking up with old friends, and always making new ones!

We did have a lot of fun last year, didn't we, Beth? What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Kathy: To persevere. Writing, even after you’re published, is difficult. To be successful you have to persevere.

Barbara: To believe in myself and keep working to get better at writing by studying the craft. And to read, read, read – which I adore doing anyway! (That’s more than one piece –sorry!)

Beth: “Miracles happen to those who believe,” said Mary Sue Seymour, my wonderful agent and friend.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.kathleenfuller.com/
http://www.kathleenfuller.blogspot.com/
http://www.amishhearts.com/

http://www.barbaracameron.com/
http://www.amishhearts.com/

http://www.bethwiseman.com/
http://blog.bethwiseman.net/
http://www.amishhearts.com/

Thank you, Kathy, Barbara, and Beth. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all of you.

Readers, here's a link where you can order An Amish Christmas:

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

60 comments:

Virginia C said...

I really enjoyed this article! I love "Beauty and the Beast" stories. I try to carry Christmas in my heart all year long! Please enter my name in the drawing. gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

This book looks fantastic, I just love the cover, count me in please.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Debs Desk said...

I love Christmas books and this one sounds great. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)Verizon.net

Laney4 said...

Lena,
I love the way you lay out your web site. You explain why you're doing things and then do them (like the order of the pictures) so that readers can follow more easily. Seems logical in retrospect, but some people couldn't be bothered. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
As for the book, after reading your informative and interesting interviews, I am sure I would love reading the novellas. What a great concept! And as other readers have noted, it is nice to read Christmas stories all year long. They seem to give even more of that warm, fuzzy feeling.
Thanks again for another enjoyable blog.

Molly said...

I love anything Christmas and anything amish so what a wonderful combination! please enter me in the drawing!

mollydawn1981(at)aol(com)

Anonymous said...

Great post. Would love to win. Thanks

Cherie J said...

Wonderful interview! Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales. Interesting twisting by doing it in reverse. Would love to read this anthology. I love Christmas collections like this one. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book. Please enter my name. Thanks.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

mariska said...

The book sounds great. Love to have a chance to win it!
Mariska
cuniquas at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Sounds like a good book, I would think it would be difficult trying to write a book with other authors, must of a big challenge and I would imagine it would take awhile. Thanks for the chance to read this book.
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com

Merry said...

I'd love a chance to win An Amish Christmas, it sounds terrific. Thanks!

Ausjenny said...

I enjoyed this interview I would love to read about amish christmas's please enter me this looks like a great book.

Judy said...

I'd love to win the book!!
judy49[at]aol[dot]com

Connie E said...

I absolutely ADORE the Amish! I would love for a chance to win this book!

connieed53(at)aol(dot)com

CarlybirdH said...

Please enter my name in the drawing. Thank you.

Wendy said...

I love Christmas stories.

Lady Araujo said...

It sounds like a great good.
I'd love to win it becuase Christmas is my favorite time. ^^
Please, enter me.

God's blessings
marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com

Susan said...

I enjoy reading your blogs. It's Interesting how you come up with names for your characters. I just got a new car and was trying to give it a name, almost the same thing?

Julie Arduini said...

I love their work and can't wait to read this one. I'd love a chance to win!

jarduini(at)faithwriters(dot)net

Linda said...

I've read many Amish books, but none on Christmas. This would be a great read. Please enter me. Thank you.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Michelle V said...

I love Beth's books and would love to be entered.

Blessings
Michelle
m.vasquez[at]grandecom[dot]net

Cyn said...

Amish and Christmas...two of my favorite things to read.
And now; I'll get to peek into an "Amish Christmas".

I've long been an admirer of the Amish. Their ways, beliefs, almost everything they stand for.

Their faith is as long as the day; and deep as the Earth is wide.

If only the "Englishers" could co-exists as well as a proper Amish community!

Thanks ladies for your work; as enjoyable as it could be for you; you'll never know what realms you let our imaginations fly!

Cyn *Cindy* Hatmaker

Abbaskid78 said...

I love Beth Wiseman's book, "Plain Perfect." The character, Jonas, is my favorite! I hope I win a copy of "An Amish Christmas." I am looking forward to reading it!

Rhonda said...

I enjoyed this article greatly. It will make reading the book much more real now that I know something about the writers of the stories. Looking forward to reading this book.

Sheila Groves said...

I love all Amish books, I live in an area when there are many Amish families, I would love to be entered in to the drawing for An Amish Christmas.

apple blossom said...

Oh, for fun. I love Amish books. I've been able to keep up with Beth's Plain series. WooHoo! I have plain promise on its way. I have Kathleen's book Man of His word in my TBR pile (just moved it to the top) I don't recall that I have any of Barbara's books however, if I win this book I will. :)

I'd love to win this book thanks.

Jo said...

I love Christmas stories and Amish books so sounds like a great combination. Please enter me in the drawing.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Southern Gal said...

I love Amish books and have recently discovered Beth Wiseman's books. They are great. I'm anxious to read more. Count me in on the drawing!
pamburke74@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Once I discovered Amish Christian fiction, I was hooked. Now, I go to a bookstore, scan the shelves and it's getting difficult to find books I haven't read. Thankfully, there are new and gifted authors appearing on the shelves all the time!

Michelle said...

Thank you for the opportunity to win this book!!

God bless,

Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

LindaLew said...

I read Amish books almost exclusively now and that is getting easier and easier with all the great Amish story writers out there now. What is better than an Amish book written by one author? . . . why an Amish book written by three authors, of course. I'm anxiously awaiting the publishing date of this new book. It promises to be a great one!
Linda

Roanna said...

My Grandma loves to read Amish stories, and I'm sure she would love to read this book. I would like to be entered for this drawing, and if I would win, I would share it with her.

Thanks so much and God Bless You!

Carole said...

Amish stories with a Christmas theme - what a winning combination! This book is already on my wishlist and I'd love to win a copy. Thank you for a very interesting interview.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Anonymous said...

I always loved Christmas and reading Christmas stories and the Amish people have always fascinated me. Please enter me in the giveaway.

bgcchs@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I love books with a Christmas theme and I love Amish books. I've read most of them I can find. This will be a wonderful combonation.

Cathy said...

I love books with a Christmas theme and I love Amish books. I've read most of them I can find. This will be a wonderful combonation.
cthomas3@windstream.net

Cindy said...

This book is on my wish list to have to read over the holidays, I can't get enough Amish fiction, I am always searching for the next one. I would love to win this book. I can't wait to read it. BTW, thanks to all these wonderful ladies for sharing their talents of writing about the Amish. It's such a retreat to me to escape in the pages of their books.

Thanks,
Cindy
cindybazzy@gmail.com

peachykath said...

This book looks wonderful. I love amish stories and christmas stories so put them together and it only gets better from there. I loved reading what the authors had to say. Please enter me in the drawing for this book.
Thanks
Katherine

peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com

kylairene24 said...

i love all these authors and am vary excited to see what they came up with together :D Please include my name in the draw

Beth Wiseman said...

Thanks so much for all the kind words about my books. It was such an honor to work with Kathy Fuller and Barbara Cameron on this project - and tons of fun! There were over 300 emails between us as we coordinated the cross-over characters. Hope everyone enjoys!

Anonymous said...

I have read books by these authors and love them all. Please enter me in the drawing for "An Amish Christmas". Thanks

NotBarb said...

Hi Lena!

Thanks for featuring Beth, Kathy, and me on your wonderful site this week!

Since I love Christmas stories and Amish stories, I really enjoyed working on An Amish Christmas with Beth and Kathy. I hope your readers will enjoy it, too.

Thanks, too, to the readers who wrote such nice things on the site.

Barbara Cameron

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a copy!!
I could take it off my shopping list then!

Karla Hanns said...

I would love to win a copy!!
I could take it off my shopping list then!

Erin O. said...

Christmas and Amish I am sure it will be wonderful. When giving comes from the heart you can see it and feel it. That is what these wonderful authors have in common.
God's Blessings,
Erin O.

Geraldine said...

I'am looking forward to reading this book. and loved this interview. Enter me in to win Thanks Geraldine Gbysv@aol.com

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

What an awesome way to get in the Christmas spirit! I'd love to win this! I've loved all of Kathleen and Beth's books so far and I'm sure I'll love Ms. Cameron's as well!

XOXO~ Renee
http://steelergirl83.blogspot.com

Jblanton said...

I would love to read this book- love the cover. Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks

ejxd95 at gmail dot com

Marla said...

Love Christmas and Amish stories. Great combination. Would love to win. Thank you for great giveaway.

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'd love to win An Amish Christmas. Thank you for the opportunity.
Linda Deline
rdeline@mnsi.net

sadie crandle said...

i love all of your books, and i am so looking forward to one about Christmas ... my name is Noel, so i'm afraid i don't have much choice and never have had, when it comes to Christmas ... it's the #1 special day for me!!

sadie crandle said...

forgot to say ... please enter me in the drawing!

Karen said...

I would love to win the FREE book. Please enter me in the contest. I cannot wait to read "An Amish Christmas." YAY!
vermillion@scrtc.com

Julie said...

This book sounds great!! I love reading about the Amish community. I grew up just a couple of hours from Lancaster, PA and visited frequently. I hope to go back the next time my husband and I visit my family. =)

AND Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year, so I can't wait to read this. I am also excited to have been introduced to new authors who write about the Plain community and can't wait to read their other books!

Julie
sweetpea.hull@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful article. The Amish and their simple lifestyle have always fascinated me...and, of course, Christmas is a beautiful celebration of Christ's birth. Would love to read 'an amish christmas.' Thanks for the opportunity.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Colleen said...

I loved this article. I am a big fan of Beth's books. Usually I read them and pass them on to my daughter. I am keeping "An Amish Christmas" for myself. If I win a copy, I will let her have the one I bought.

Anonymous said...

I just love reading about the Amish...and I recently discovered a new author (Beth Wiseman) that I absolutely love..Thank you Beth

Megan said...

Wow talk about a lot of comments! People must really like those Amish! I recently found Amish lit and love it. Please sign me up!

Meg

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

The Amish books are the best!
Different from us enough to be engaging in storyline.

Please enter me in the drawing.

dancealert at aol dot com

Unknown said...

I love reading Amish stories and can you believe I haven't read anything from these authors! I know, I hear the collective gasps.

Please enter me to win

Val
lastnerve2000@gmail.com