Tuesday, September 15, 2009

REBECCA'S PROMISE and REBECCA'S RETURN by Jerry S. Eicher - Free books

Readers, today I'm introducing you to a new author to me. Welcome, Jerry. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

That’s what I stay away from. Did write of my growing up years in the first self published novel, A Time To Live. Which worked…sort of…because the story was in the distant past. Current things, nah…I think not.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Well…that’s a little hard to say. I tend to do things the unusual way. The latest would be this writing venture. Didn’t plan to write fiction in the first place, then discovered that being the only male writer in the female dominated field of Amish fiction wasn’t exactly the expected thing. Nicholas Sparks helps me feel normal.

Choice Books then took me under their wing, taught me the basics of publishing, and I launched my own label. After the third novel, Harvest House kindly signed me up for the real publishing world with The Adams County Trilogy.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

If I look back I see the first signs in grade school. Wrote a social studies assignment, or some such sort of thing, as a fiction story. Not the usual thing to do, but the teacher did read the story in front of the class. Said that it was the second best class paper turned in.

I also won a years subscription to a magazine around the fifth grade--for an entry to a writing contest. Again for fiction, but I never pursed stories. Thought it was too easy--I suppose--to be of much value.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

Quite wide. Love Grisham, and of course Frank Peretti. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Tried Virginia Woolf, The Years, but got nowhere. Had to read, The Lincoln Lawyer, to clear my brain. For romance, there is the great Nicholas Sparks. Loved Whitaker Chamber’s Witness, Karen Blixen’s Out of Africa. Religious material-- that would be about anything C.S. Lewis--and earlier--the novels of George MacDonald.

Read the competition…shhhh. Enough to know what goes.

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

I intended to write theological books, and self published two through Winepress. Cost me a lot of money, and purchased little results. Not the fault of Winepress. They put out a quality product for me.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Ah…we try to keep the pace down, say a lot of no’s to things.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Since I write Amish fiction, the choices are limited. Keep an Amish directory from Holmes County handy.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Well…there are my children. Last night would perhaps be an another example. I needed to speak in public, and said what I had to say, twice, in perfect speech. Zero stumbles.

I grew up--till my teens and extensive speech therapy--with a severe speech impediment. I will live with a version of it for the rest of my life. Yet when the chips are down, I can talk. For those who were ever locked out of the marvel of language, they will understand.

One of my daughters had speech impediments and took speech therapy. So I understand. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Haven’t really thought of that. My wife says I go where the angels fear to tread. That might lend itself to, bold as a lion. Perhaps?

What is your favorite food?

Gram Cracker Fluff. They must have dropped that recipe from the heavens.

I'll have to find a recipe for that. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I don’t normally write full time, and have found recently that repeated days tend to run me dry. Not sure how to work that all out, other than to find something else to do, and not panic.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Not sure, as writing is so individualized. Learn the craft, and what is needed in the publishing world. I dream big, shoot for the stars, and learn from the miss. This might not be advisable for everyone, nor may my example be the best. I break a lot of the rules.

Tell us about the featured book?

The Rebecca series begin with Rebecca and John’s engagement. Rebecca then remembers a promise she made in grade school, and the ring she has hidden in her dresser drawer. The trouble starts there and grows.

This series has a strong secondary plot line, of a woman who has lost her father’s inheritance. The two threads don’t come fully together until book three.

We'll have to have you back with book three. Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter One - Rebecca’s Promise

The buggy slowed as it approached the Duffy side road, then
turned right toward the old covered bridge. The horse, a sleek
black gelding John Miller purchased last fall at a farm auction, was
tired from the fast downhill drive. Its nostrils flared, specks of foam
lathered its chest strap as it obeyed John’s gentle tug at the reins.
Rebecca, seated beside John, had tossed the top of her shawl on
the shelf above the backseat of the buggy. The lower part of the shawl
hung over her shoulder on John’s side. She left it there, not certain how
to remove it in the tight buggy without touching John. Not that she
would have minded, but she knew he stood strong when church rules
were concerned, and never had he voluntarily touched her yet.

Out of the corner of his eye, John saw Rebecca tuck a strand of her
dark hair under her kapp and look off to her left—east to the community
of Harshville. To the west, just around the sharp bends of
the road and across a smaller creek, was her home. Lester and Mattie
would surely be expecting Rebecca soon, but John was in no hurry to
take her there. Instead an idea, long in the back of his mind, now took
sudden, solid form. He knew this was the time and the place. At the
realization of what he wanted to do, his hands tensed on the reins.

To calm himself, he breathed in deeply the late November air,
winter on its edge. Wispy clouds, driven by the eternal Ohio wind,
scurried across the sky. He tried to hide his nervousness by glancing
at the sky and opening the front of his black suit coat, loosening the
hooks and eyes with one hand to let in the warmth of the sun.

“Weather’s nice. Especially for this time of the year,” John offered,

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m on Facebook. Search my name…I suppose. The fan page lets you on without the usual friends request.

Thank you, Jerry, for spending this time with us.

Readers, here are links where you can order the two books:


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

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 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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

31 comments:

host said...

Hi! Interesting interview. I've recently read that "Amish" fiction sell really well and that the nickname for this subgenre seems to be Bonnet Books. It makes sense, but I had no idea.
Rebecca's books sound very interesting

Unknown said...

I really enjoyed the interview, and think that it is so neat that a male is an Amish fiction writer. I saw his books at the bookstore recently, and now wish that I had bought one of them! If I don't happen to win a copy, I'll definitely be taking a trip back to the bookstore! :o)

Christy
orca0024 at yahoo dot com

Cherie J said...

Wonderful interview! Would love to be entered in the drawing. Thanks!

apple blossom said...

My daughter's name is Rebekah and we love reading Amish.
Saw these books at Sam's Club. Look like something we'd love to read.
Please enter me thanks.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks!!

Lady Araujo said...

Sounds like great books. Please, enter me.

God's blessings

marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com

Katherine said...

These books look very good. Please enter me for this drawing.

kefarley89(@)gmail(.)com

Sheila Deeth said...

I like this. Great interview too - we seem to have a few favorite authors in common.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to have the chance to read these books. It's great to discover a new author!
Mariska

Linda said...

About all I can say is what I saw on a post elsewhere: Pick me, Pick me!!
I cannot get enough of Amish books. Jerry will be a new author for me. I am interested in a male perspective of the Amish life.
Please enter me. Thanks.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Michelle said...

Great interview! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win this giveaway!

Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

Jblanton said...

great interview, love amish fiction. Please enter me in the giveaway. THanks so much

ejxd95 at gmail dot com

Molly said...

Another Amish book and interview?! Wonderguud! Please enter me in this giveaway!!

mollydawn1981(at)aol(dot)com

Connie e said...

Please enter me in this drawing! Loved the interview and would surely love the book as well!

connieed53{at}aol{dot}com

Wendy said...

I really enjoyed Rebecca's Promise and can't wait to read the sequel.

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed the interview, and I'd love to read the book.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

A fabulous interview...please count me in...thanks.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carole said...

Thanks for another interesting interview! I really enjoy Amish fiction and would love to win a copy of Rebecca's Promise.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

peachykath said...

This author sounds really interesting. Please enter me in the drawing for this book. I love reading from authors I've never knew about before.
Thanks
Katherine

peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

Absolutely a wonderful giveaway, please count me in.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Julie said...

I love reading about the Amish and finding new authors who write about them. Please include me in the giveaway. =)

Julie
sweetpea.hull@gmail.com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I love to read books about the Amish. Thanks for this opportunity to win a free book. If I were to win I would really appreciate it!

dancealert at aol dot com

Marla said...

Great interview. I love Amish fiction. Please count me in the drawing. Thanks!

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Sara said...

I do love Amish fiction and I haven't read a new one in a while.
Please enter me and thanks for the opportunity.

Martha A. said...

Interesting....a male writer? ....martha(at)lclink(dot)com

JJ said...

I just joined your facebook and other social avenues. lol I hope I can remember to visit back on Saturday's to check the winners lists. Thanks.

gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

Erin said...

I'd love to read this one, I am eager to read more books like these!

Mark said...

interesting to see a male writer in this genere' - I'd love to read what he has written, so please enter me

ladybug said...

would love a chance to win these.

don said...

nice giveaway! amish stories are so moving and would love to be entered!

dle194706@yahoo {dot} com

adge said...

This looks like a great series. Please include me in the giveaway. Thanks.