Welcome back, Mary. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
I’m very happy writing for the super-duper folks at Harvest House. I hope I can continue writing fiction for them well into the future.
Tell us a little about your family.
Not much family to speak of. I’ve been married forever, and have an adopted dog and cat.
Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Not really, I have always had varied and divergent reading tastes. I love literary fiction like Tracey Chevalier and cozy mysteries, and everything in between.
What are you working on right now?
I am working on the second in the Wayne County Ohio series featuring a romantic love-triangle (of a mild sort…)
Sounds interesting. I'd love to feature it on the blog, too. What outside interests do you have?
American history, swimming and snorkeling, wilderness/wildlife preservation, community/Christian service with the homeless, etc., and trying to lose weight without giving up candy, cake and cookies.
My husband and I have long been involved in ministry to the homeless. How do you choose your settings for each book?
I take many day-trips and weekend getaways to scout the counties I wish to feature in my books.
If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
I suppose it would Abe Lincoln. I would love to ask him what things he would do differently during the Civil War if he had to do it over.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
That every story is a work-in-progress until the moment it goes to the printers. I originally thought that once I committed an event/person/attitude to a story, it became set in stone. What a silly notion!
Yes, enter copy editors. What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
To step back and get out of His way. I have a tendency to worry, stress, and over-think upcoming events. If I simply allow Him to take the helm, things work out for the best. And I sleep better at night.
What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Work on your writing every day, or at least six days a week, even if it’s a short while. Otherwise you lose your train-of-thought. Give your best writing time to writing, not to email, blogs, or loops. Be patient with yourself if the world isn’t ready to recognize your personal “genius” yet.
Tell us about the featured book.
Abigail’s New Hope is a dual story about a pair of sisters. Abby, an Amish midwife, gets put in jail when a delivery goes horribly wrong. When her sister comes to tend Abby’s children, she finds (and falls in love with) a deaf recluse living in the back cabin that everyone is their district had erroneously thought simple-minded.
Sounds intriguing. Please give us the first page of the book.
Abigail’s New Hope by Mary Ellis
June
“Come help us, mamm.” The excited voice of her six-year-old floated across the lawn. Abby grinned, watching her daughter and four-year-old son chase lightning bugs through the grass with open jelly jars in hand. Despite the kinners’ industrious efforts, the fireflies successfully evaded capture to blink and glow on another night.
“Why are you two off the porch? You both were already washed for bed.” Abby walked back from the barn with her palms perched on her hips.
She glanced up as a squeak from the screen door signaled the arrival of the final Graber family member, her ehemann of seven years. “I thought you were reading them a story,” she said with a sly smile.
Daniel slicked a hand through his thick hair, his hat nowhere in sight; then braced calloused palms against the porch rail. “Relax, wife. That grass looks pretty clean from where I’m standing. You won’t have to start from scratch. Didn’t it just rain the other day?” His smile deepened the lines around his eyes. With the setting sun glinting off his sun-burnished nose, he looked as mischievous as one of their children.
Abby watched the warm summer night unfold around her family with no desire to scold. The young ones would have the rest of their lives to have perfectly clean feet, but the summers of childhood were numbered. Besides, it was too nice an evening for anyone to go to bed on time. Walking up the porch steps, she stepped easily into Daniel’s strong arms and rested her head against his shoulder. Within his embrace, with her two healthy offspring darting like honeybees in spring clover, she savored the almost-longest day of the year.
I like it. How can readers find you on the Internet?
I can be found at http://www.maryeellis.wordpress.com/
Thank you, Mary, for spending this time with us.
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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 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/
40 comments:
i just finished reading my first Mary Ellis' book and loved it Please enter my name in the drawing. And thanks, Lena for the interview and giveaway! Marianne in Arizona. mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com
I'd love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway. I'm in Michigan.
forwhlz at gmail dot com
Beautiful cover. Thanks for the chance!
Freda in Ontario, Canada
please count me in...thanks :)
karenk (from PA)
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I would love to read this book too. I've read a few of Mary's other books and always enjoy them. This one sounds unlike any plot line I've ever heard in Amish fiction, so I'm sure it will be great!
Commenting from the beautiful state of Georgia
snowflakes2hotcakes@gmail.com
I know this book will be great! I love reading these kinds of books. Looking forward to it.
From the Bible Belt
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Oh, thanks for this great giveaway.
I am anxious to read it.
Blessings,
Charlotte, Ohio
Please include me in this giveaway.
Be
Smiles:)
Charlotte Kay, Ohio
Sounds like an interesting plot. Especially about the deaf man. Can't wait to read it. :) kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
She has me at the first page!
Thanks very much...Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Illinois
This book sounds different from what I have read. I so appreciate these interviews and excerps. I live in So. California vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com
I can't wait to read this book! It looks so good!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Kari in Oregon
Looking forward to reading Abigail's New Hope. Thanks for all you do Lena, to help us have a chance to win books. Judy in Louisiana.
Love to read Amish fiction. Please enter me.
coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE
Please don't enter me. I have left the first review for this book on CBD and it is soon forthcoming. I am not a writer, just a reader who tells it as she sees it from the heart. If you don't win this book by all means, purchase it! Mary Ellis did a wonderful job, and don't let that innocent little cover fool you. (LOL) This book is loaded with reality. The best book Mary has written thus far...sounds like I'm doing another review.:):)
Diana Flowers
South Carolina
An amish midwife goes to jail? I have to read this one! Sounds intriguing. Thank you for the giveaway.
Anne, rural NC
Love reading Amish fiction and I just started reading Mary Ellis' books. Would love to win this one. Karen in New York.
love to be entered to win this book thanks
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Currently reading "The Way to a Man's Heart" - love this book. I would love to read more of Mary Ellis' books.
Elaine in Iowa
rejordan79@msn.com
I would love to be entered!! This plot sounds very different and interesting! :)
from AL
I really enjoy reading these kinds of books. Thanks for the giveaway. I know it will be great!
From the Bible Belt
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net
I love Amish fiction, but haven't read anything by Mary yet. This looks like such a great book! I'm from NY =)
lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com
Looks like a great read- count me in!
jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com
NY
Awesome giveaway!
icohen62(at)gmail(dot)com
NY!
I'd love a chance to win this book- please enter me!
thejesusfreak62(at0gmail(dot)com
NY
This book sounds good. I have never read any of Mary's books, but would love to win a copy of this one. Angela from KY
Just starting to read Amish themed books so would like to read this
I'm in illinois
msboatgal at aol.com
Please count me in for this giveaway! Thanks!
~ Katy
from Florida
I love the cover! The sounds like a very sweet story.
Please enter me:)
Thanks
Kristen from WA
This one looks really good!
Please enter me!
Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway! Can't wait to read it!
Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com
NY
Love your interviews, they definitely bring us closer to the authors.
Jreilly316(at)verizon(dot)net
New York
I haven't read any books by Mary Ellis but this sounds like a very good one. I'd love to win.
Thanks for the interview and book giveaway.
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas
I would love to this book!
Brenda in Michigan
dancealert at aol dot com
thanks to everyone who dropped by to post a comment on Lena's blog. Good luck to everyone in the drawing. and thanks especially for all the kind words about Amish fiction. blessings, Mary Ellis
This is a new author to me, her book sounds very interesting. I would love to win a copy.
Count me in! Ann Lee Miller, Gilbert AZ
Abigail's New Hope sounds like a good read. Please enter me in the giveaway.
A J Hawke
TEXAS
Abigail's New Hope sounds like a book I would truly enjoy. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
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