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Wednesday, May 08, 2013

ADORING ADDIE - Leslie Gould - One Free Book


Note to readers: Be sure to follow all the instructions at the bottom of the post, so you can be included in the giveaway.

Welcome, Leslie. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I don’t consciously write myself into my characters, but honestly it can’t be helped. All of the emotions and flaws of my characters originate with me. Over and over, without meaning to, something I’ve struggled with shows up in my stories. Writing it out brings more healing to my own life and adds depth to my characters’ journey.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Traveling around the U.S. in a VW bus with my hubby and our first baby way back in 1987. We really weren’t hippies—but lots of people we met along the way thought we were.

I first saw Lancaster County while on that trip. My husband lived in Pennsylvania as a boy and would visit the area often. He wanted to share the experience with me. I was hooked from that very first visit.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I clearly remember writing my first word when I was four: sky. It was an accident, I was simply putting letters together, but once my sister told me I’d written a word—and such an amazing word at that—I was hooked. I’m positive that was my most fulfilling moment up to that point in my very short life.

I still experience that sense of fulfillment, that feeling of harmony, on writing days when I’m in the groove and able to write four or five thousand words.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Unless I’m doing research for a novel, I enjoy reading mostly fiction. I love books by Ann Tatlock, Lynn Austin, and Jane Kirkpatrick and lots of other Christian authors. I try to read as many Christy and ACFW winners as possible, and I read a fair amount of Amish fiction too. I also read general market bestsellers and prizewinners too, and I especially love novels set in other cultures.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I’ve kept a journal since I was thirteen. Taking time to write down my feelings and then scripture that speaks to what I’m going through helps keep me balanced. I’m trying really hard to pray immediately when something pops up that makes me feel unsettled too, instead of fretting about it for a while—or a really long time—first. I also take time to exercise, including walking with a good friend, my husband, and my sister, all at different times of the week. They’re three people, along with many other friends and family, who help me keep my sanity!

How do you choose your characters’ names?
I used to use a baby name book, but now I look through online name lists. I never choose the name for a character until I know what the meaning of the names is. Even if I really like a name, if I don’t like the meaning I won’t use it.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My family. In September my husband and I will have been married 30 years. We have four children, ages 15 to 26. God has seen us through hard times, including my husband’s one-year deployment to Afghanistan, my mother’s cancer and death, trying teenage years, and many other challenges. We have sought wise counsel many times as we strive for both truth and grace.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A cheetah. I used to run long distance, but I always admired the sprinters. A cheetah can run at 70 mph for nearly 400 yards. I think that would be amazing!

What is your favorite food?
It used to be chocolate, but I’m working really hard to not eat much refined sugar. So, there’s this as a second option: watermelon. Yum!

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Time management—and I’m still working to overcome it. I usually do fine on writing days—it’s the days when I have marketing to do and proposals to write and research to tackle that I get off schedule. All of it takes longer than I think it will. And I’ll get distracted and end up on a rabbit trail leading to nowhere. I have to set the timer and challenge myself to stay on task—or else the whole day can disappear before I’ve gotten anything done.

Tell us about the featured book.
Adoring Addie is the second in the Courtships of Lancaster County series and was inspired by Romeo and Juliet. I loved all the research—both the Shakespeare angle and the Amish setting.

Please give us the first page of the book.
My parents were positive I’d met my future husband. They expected me to marry Phillip Eicher, the bishop’s son. And soon.

“He’s coming over tomorrow, for the barbecue,” my mother said, perched on one of our mismatched chairs at the end of the table, her plump hand gripping a pen that hovered over her notebook. She spent most of her days there, writing lists, giving orders, and babying her bad knee. “He wants to talk to your Daed—at least that’s what his mother told me.”

“Oh.” I wiped my sweaty palms down my just-starched apron.

A smile spread across her round face. “We’ll have a wedding to plan soon.”

“Mutter, please.” I’d always called her Mutter and my father Daed, the more formal terms, rather than the familiar Mamm and Dat that my Bruders called them. She seemed to prefer it. I don’t think my father cared.

Mutter continued speaking as if she hadn’t heard my plea. “That’s why you shouldn’t go today. We want the barbecue tomorrow to be—”

I strode out of the kitchen, my basket of hand-quilted potholders in my arms, hoping she’d think I hadn’t heard her. I’d already compromised by waiting to go to the farmers’ market until after I’d cleaned the breakfast dishes. It would be nearly eight o’clock, long after the market opened, by the time my cousin Hannah and I arrived.

As I turned the corner into our large living room, a space big enough to host our entire church, my brother Billy came sliding in his stocking feet across the polished floor. His eyes narrowed under his dark bangs, partially pushed up on his sweaty forehead. He carried a gallon jar of pond water and plants in one hand, while his other flew around in an attempt to keep his balance. Still, greenish water sloshed over the rim.

A grin spread across his face as he veered toward me.

I swung the basket around to my hip and stepped sideways.

It didn’t matter.

He plowed into me anyway.

I managed to stay on my feet, but the basket landed on the floor, the jar on top and tipped sideways. The murky water soaked my potholders that had been bound for the market.

“Billy,” I cried.

“My tadpoles!” he yelled, falling to the floor, stomach down, his ten-year-old body flailing toward my basket.

I righted the jar, which had a few inches of water remaining, and began picking through the potholders, rescuing the slimy creatures.

“What’s going on in there?” Mutter called out.

The tadpoles flopped this way and that. I rushed from one to the next, pinching each one tightly enough to hold on to but not enough to damage, dropping them the back into the green slime.
Billy crowded in too and began shaking out the potholders and tossing them onto the floor, his brown eyes wide.

“Addie?” Mutter yelled.

“Just a minute.”

“Nell!” Mutter called to her younger Schwester, who’d been holed up in the sewing room off the kitchen since breakfast. “Would you see what’s going on?”

“I think we got them all.” Billy grinned.
“One more.” I plucked the tiniest tadpole from the black border of a potholder still in the basket and dropped it into the jar. “Take them back and let them go.” I spoke firmly. “They’ve been traumatized enough.”

“Ach, Addie,” he groaned.

“Take courage and do as I say. Quickly.” I thought of him as Billy the Brave. At ten, although dabbich—clumsy—he was still eager to help and please, but he also stuck up for others, including me. “And take Joe-Joe down to the creek with you so he’s out of Mutter’s way.” I scooped up the potholders.

Billy slid to the staircase, called for our littlest brother, the youngest of seven children, and then headed to the front door to put on his boots. He tended to keep them there to avoid Mutter in the kitchen.

I lifted one of the wet potholders to my face and sniffed. I couldn’t help but frown at the swampy smell.

“What happened?”

I lifted my head to Aenti Nell’s round face and alarmed expression. She was short, a little squat, and had still-dark hair, the same color as Mutter’s was a few years ago before it turned gray, but a kerchief partly covered Aenti’s head instead of a Kapp.

I held up the wet square. “Billy.” That was all I needed to say.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Please visit my blog, “like” me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, and re-pin me on Pinterest! Thank you!

Thank you, Leslie, for sharing your new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Adoring Addie (The Courtships of Lancaster County) - paperback
Adoring Addie (The Courtships of Lancaster County Book #2) - Kindle


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

If you’re reading this on Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

53 comments:

  1. Great post today, like to read Leslie's books...In 1987 the year you traveled in your VW, I married my hubby April that year...
    thanks for sharing comments on Lena's blog.
    Paula O(Kyflo130@yahoo.com)
    reader and fan from Ga

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  2. I'd love to win a copy of your book! I live in NC.
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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  3. I love the idea of this book. Thank you for offering a copy.
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Tennessee

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  4. I live in PA and am an avid reader of books about the Amish. I would love to add this wonderful book to my collection. Thank you.
    meashy@verizon.net

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  5. I have this book on my list to read.
    Would love to win it.
    I'm from Northern Indiana
    Carolynj63@att.net

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  6. I've heard nice things about this book lately!

    Heidi, CA

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  7. I enjoyed reading Courting Cate, and would like to read Adoring Addie, too.

    Blessings,

    Tammi in Maine

    dandtdearing{at}earthlink{dot}net

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  8. Anonymous12:21 PM

    Thank you all for reading and commenting! (Paula, 1987 was a good year!)

    I had so much fun writing both Courting Cate and Adoring Addie. This month, I'm working on Minding Molly, inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream. I have a fireflies and an enchanting two year old (instead of Puck). :)

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  9. Thanks for the opportunity to enter to win a copy of Adoring Addie.
    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com from Pennsylvania

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  10. Anonymous1:25 PM

    Please enter me in this contest. I loved Courting Cate and would love to win Adoring Addy.
    Brittany McEuen
    kbmceuen@yahoo.com
    Texas

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  11. Anonymous1:34 PM

    I would love to win l live in Ohio. Abel.barb@Yahoo.com.

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  12. I live in PA. and enjoy reading Amish books. Would love to win a copy of this book, thanks for having the contest!

    Tina H.

    sweeps4us at gmail dot com

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  13. Anonymous2:14 PM

    I would love to win a copy of this book. I absolutely love Amish books. I live in Massena, N.Y. 13662

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  14. Anonymous2:15 PM

    this is my e-mail address that goes with the above comment. thank you.

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  15. Anonymous2:16 PM

    bgauthier49@live.com

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  16. Anonymous2:18 PM

    I would love to win a copy of this book. I love Amish books. My name is Barbara Gauthier and I live in Massena, N.Y. My e-mail is: bgauthier49@live.com.

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  17. Anonymous2:30 PM

    *
    Hi Leslie. I would sure love to win this book. Gotta find out what happens to that brother of Addie's. I would have had to shake him. Can't imagine her staying so calm when her potholders were ruined when she planned to sell them.Can't imagine anyone being that calm. Also need to see what she does about the meal the next day. I'm glad my folks didn't tell me who I should marry. I hope I can get all 3 of these books.
    Maxie (from TX.) mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  18. Would love to win this book. Thanks for a chance at winning it.

    seraphinangel7@aol.com

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  19. I enjoyed reading about you, Leslie. I've not read any of your books, so I'm happy to meet a new author. This book sounds like one I would adore. Thank you for entering me in the giveaway. Sincerely, Carol

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  20. Anonymous2:51 PM

    Loved Amish Midwife and love to read anything Amish. Would love to win a copy of your new book. Lynn from sunny Plant City, FLorida
    Dm20mom@aol.com

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  21. Love to read Amish books. I would really like this. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Blessings
    joeym11@frontier.com

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  22. Anonymous3:31 PM

    Great interview, I'd really like to win this book! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Karen Schulz
    aregeetee5162 at yahoo dot com

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  23. Anonymous3:39 PM

    Hi. I'm Faye Simer.. from Tennessee
    I would love to have this book ! Thanks .. xstitchgranny2000atyahoo
    dotcom

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  24. Barbara Michels4:05 PM

    Would love to win a copy of this book. I live in Stanley, North Dakota
    mike_michels2005@yahoo.com

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  25. I would love to win!! Loved Courting Cate so I can't wait to read this one :) Michelle from Ohio!!

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  26. Anonymous4:13 PM

    I would love to win this book. I read Courting Cate and loved it. God bless, Patti in VA

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  27. Victoria Concepcion4:21 PM

    Would love to win this book for my collection Reading Amish books makes me Happy and out of trouble Hee Hee . I am from Pa, vcprincess@comcast.net

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  28. I would love to win a copy of this book Kathy Milburn bearangel0@yahoo.com

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  29. Anonymous5:17 PM

    Thank you to everyone who hopped over here from FB! I'm so thankful for supportive readers. I love you all!

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  30. Oh my, this is a book I don't want to miss...sounds so good! I loved the interview with Leslie. Congrats on your upcoming 30 year Anniversary in September. Marriage isn't easy, but it is for keeps!

    Blessings!
    Judy B from Indiana

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  31. I would love to have this book, thank your for the chance to win it.

    Wendy from FL

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  32. Thank you for the wonderful first page. ADORING ADDIE looks like a fabulous read.

    Mary P

    QLD AUSTRALIA

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  33. I would love to win. I am excited to see a character named Addie. That is my mother's first name and it is an old name. I have only see it in a book one other time when I was a child.

    I am from Indiana.


    deamundy(at)gmail(dot)com




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  34. thanks for the chance to win Leslie's book

    live in ND

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  35. Adoring Addie looks like just the book I'd love to read! I love that it was inspired by Romeo and Juliet.
    Beth from IA

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  36. Anonymous8:46 AM

    Thanks for the chance to win Adoring Addie. It looks like an excellent read.

    Katie J. from FLORIDA

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  37. Thank you for the great interview and the opportunity to win this wonderful sounding book! I am probably the only person in the world who doesn't care for watermelon. LOL I have never read a book by Leslie Gould and would love to!

    Diana from SC

    dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com

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  38. Anonymous9:51 AM

    Diana Flowers, my sister isn't a fan of watermelon either so you're not alone. :) It's my youngest daughter's favorite food too so at our house, from March through September, we eat watermelon every day. And never get tired of it.

    Thank you, ALL, for the great comments. I'm having so much fun reading all of them.

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  39. Sharon Richmond10:38 AM

    Enter me!!
    Sharon Richmond
    Blanch,NC.
    sharonruth126@gmail.com

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  40. Sounds like a wonderful book to win!

    Donna, TX

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  41. I would love to win,Enter me!!
    Thanks for the giveaway and God Bless!!
    Sarah Richmond
    N.C.

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  42. Leslie Gould writes a good book. I'd love to read Adoring Addie. Perhaps I'll win. :)
    Middle of North Carolina

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  43. Pam K.7:01 PM

    I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Courting Cate, so would love to win a copy of Adoring Addie.
    Thanks.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
    Kansas

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  44. sharon m7:48 PM

    Amish fiction is one of my favorites and Leslie Gould is a new author to me. Would love to win. sharon, CA

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  45. Judy Cooper1:37 AM

    Enjoyed the interview today,please include me in the drawing. Judy C.
    in Louisiana.

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  46. Thanks for the little peek at Adoring Addie, it sounds wonderful. Please include me!
    Merry in MN

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  47. I loved Courting Cate and I can't wait to read this one! I'm in MN.

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  48. Anonymous9:40 PM

    Veronica,
    I'm glad you enjoyed Courting Cate. :) I hope you'll like Adoring Addie too.
    Blessings,
    Leslie

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  49. Book looks great, would love to win. I really enjoyed Courting Cate.

    Lourdes, Dix Hills NY

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  50. hello leslie,
    I'd like to enter your give-away.
    Ilove reading books about the Amish.Very curious about this one. Just finihsed The amish midwife. I live in the Netherlands.
    Henny

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  51. Anonymous9:57 AM

    Henny,
    Thank you for your comment and for reading The Amish Midwife! (Did you read it in Dutch or in English? I was thrilled when Harvest House released it in Dutch.)
    Blessings to you and yours,
    Leslie

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  52. I love books on the Amish! Thank you for the opportunity to win this book!

    Jean K
    West Palm Beach, FL

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  53. Thank you for this opportunity.

    jkropid@hotmail.com
    West Palm Beach

    ReplyDelete