Friday, August 21, 2015

THE AMISH HEIRESS - Patrick E Craig - One Free Book

Bio: Best-selling author Patrick E. Craig is a lifelong writer and musician who left a successful songwriting and performance career in the music industry to follow Christ in 1984. He spent the next 26 years as a worship leader, seminar speaker, and pastor in churches, and at retreats, seminars and conferences all across the western United States. In 2011 he signed a three-book deal with Harvest House Publishers to publish his Apple Creek Dreams series. The books are historical Amish fiction and include A Quilt for Jenna, The Road Home, and Jenny’s Choice. A Quilt For Jenna is currently the #1 best seller in Amish Fiction on Amazon. His current series is The Paradise Chronicles and the first book in the series, The Amish Heiress, is published by P&J Publishing. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency. Patrick and his wife Judy make their home in Idaho and are the parents of two adult children and have five grandchildren.

Welcome, Patrick. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
The characters in my books are a real amalgam of many parts of my own personality. Writer, musician, farmer, outdoorsman, searcher… Each of my characters does show something of my own personality.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Hmmmm. Well, that is a very interesting question. Since I lived in San Francisco in the 60s, I was involved in quite a few quirky things, maybe too many to relate here. I once met Janis Joplin in the middle of a concert in the Panhandle in Golden Gate Park.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I published my first article in the school paper when I was seven years old. I got such positive feedback from my teacher, my parents and my friends that I realized this was something I could do well. I’ve been writing ever since.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I like romance, adventure, westerns, mysteries, sci-fi, classic, paranormal…the whole gamut of books. I’ve read hundreds maybe thousands of books in my life.

I’m sure I’ve read several thousand. I’m a voracious reader, too. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I moved from California to Idaho a year ago. My wife and I live on a small acreage outside of Boise in the country. We go on trips to the mountains, read a lot, spend time in our garden and visit our family.

Sounds wonderful. How do you choose your characters’ names?
By chance. I have to be really careful. In my third book I realized that I had three characters whose name began with a “J.” In The Amish Heiress, my editor pointed out that I had three minor characters named Jonas.

So you’re hooked on J’s. I was at one time. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Getting my first series, Apple Creek Dreams, published with Harvest House.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A horse I guess. I suppose I read too much Zane Grey when I was a boy.

I read a lot of Zane Grey when I was a teen. What is your favorite food?
Steak and eggs.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Dialogue tags, I hate them. “He said, she said,” used to drive me crazy when I wrote. It broke up the flow of the story completely. Now I almost exclusively use action beats. I think there are two or three dialogue tags in The Amish Heiress, but that’s all.

I so agree with you. I use action tags, internal thought tags, and descriptive beats with almost no tags. This help make every word add to the story. Tell us about the featured book.
When I was writing the Apple Creek Dreams series, I was going to tell the stories of Jerusha Springer, her adopted daughter, Jenny, and then Jenny's daughter, Rachel. But I fell in love with the character of Jenny, and then there were two books about Jenny where I had only planned on one. Now I finally get to tell Rachel's story. It's a different kind of story, but then I'm not exactly known in Amish circles as someone who writes a typical Amish novel. I think that's because I read too many Zane Grey books when I was a kid.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Rachel, my darling girl, how can I tell of the joy you give me. In the dark days when we thought we had lost your papa, I was adrift in my grief but you were my ray of sunlight, and precious memories were bound into your very being. In all those years when Jonathan was gone, you were my rock, the one person I could turn to that always had an uplifting word or a loving gesture. I know your heart ached as mine did, but somehow you held yourself above the pain and were always there for me. And for such a long time, you were the one who believed your papa would come home someday.

That is why it surprised me when it was so hard for you when your papa did come home. You were fourteen, you were becoming a woman, and Jonathan had missed such a big part of your life. You and your papa were at odds for a long time. I think that you had finally reconciled yourself to Jonathan being dead – you had moved on. And then when he came home, you had to learn that relationship all over again. We were so close, the two of us and then there was another person in the house, a man who in many ways was a stranger to us both, especially on his “bad” days. I think you felt like he came between us. So when the opportunity came for you to go, you were ready, too ready…
                                                                        Rachel – From The Journals of Jenny Hershberger

I like Amish books that are outside the norm. I can hardly wait until your book arrives. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Where can readers purchase my books?

http://www.patrickecraig.com/my-book-store/ My website
The Amish Heiress is available at my website and on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and GoodReads. 

Thank you, Craig, for sharing this new book with us. I know my blog readers are glad to have found out about your books.

Readers, 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, 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:

28 comments:

Terrill Rosado said...

I just read another amazing review for this book earlier today. Not that I needed any more convincing. This is a series I am very excited for.

Terrill from Washington State

Brenda Arrington said...

Sounds like a good read. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. Enjoyed the interview.
Brenda in VA.

Trixi said...

Sounds like an out of the ordinary Amish fiction book & that intrigues me! Thanks for coming to share about yourself, I enjoyed the author interview!

Trixi in OR

Melissa M. said...

Definitely interested in reading this.

-Melissa M. in TN

Jackie Tessnair said...

Looking forward to reading this book.Jackie Tessnair N.C.

Melanie Backus said...

Sounds like a good one!

Melanie Backus, TX

Mary Preston said...

A fabulous post & first page thank you.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Beth said...

Wow sounds like a good read. I love Amish fiction! I live in Milwaukee,WI

Judy said...

I am familiar with Patrick Craig's books. I've read the Apple Creek Dreams series and loved them! I can't wait to read, The Amish Heiress. Winning a copy would be great!

I enjoyed the interview with Patrick.

Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana

Vera Godley said...

I have enjoy Patrick Craig's books previously and found his way with words creates a delightful read. I am sure this will live up to his previous writing as well.

In North Carolina

sm said...

I think I may have found a new Amish author. I would enjoy your books. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

apple blossom said...

this sounds interesting. I don't know that I've read Amish fiction from a male author. love to win thanks
live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

kim hansen said...

Sounds like a good read. kamundsen44(at)yahoo(dot)com. Kim

Connie Porter Saunders said...

This book is getting rave reviews and I am very anxious to read it. Thanks for this interview and giveaway.
Blessings,
Connie from KY

Tammy G. said...

I'd love to read this book! Love Amish reads!
Thanks,
Tammy from Texas

Angela - Bookaunt said...

This looks like a good book - Angela from Florida

GrandaddyA said...

I am not familiar with this author but always looking for more male Christian novelists. I'd love to read his books.
Edward A in VA

Britney Adams said...

Thanks so much for the introduction to Patrick Craig. I enjoyed the interview and would love to read The Amish Heiress.

Britney Adams, TX

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.

Anonymous said...

I have heard of this author but not read any of his books yet. I am looking forward to reading this.mi very much enjoy reading Amish books.
Deanne from Pennsylvania
Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

Wendy Newcomb said...

I've been wanting to read some of Patrick's work, thank you for a chance to win a copy of one of his books.

Wendy from FL

wfnren at aol dot com

Emma said...

I am looking forward to reading "THE AMISH HEIRESS.Thank you for the opportunity to win.PA.

Anonymous said...

Hello Patrick. your book sounds like it will really be good. I would love to win it. Thanks to you and Lena for the chance to do that. Maxie (TX) > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

Abigail Mitchell said...

Enter me.
Blanch, NC

Lourdes said...

Looking forward to reading this book. Thank you for the chance to win. Lourdes in Long Island, NY

kim hansen said...

Cool. North Platte Nebraska.

rubynreba said...

I have read all of Patrick Craig's other books and am anxious to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win this!
Beth from IA

Patrick E. Craig said...

Thank you all for your encouraging comments. I've been on vacation so i missed interacting with you all, but I'm very gratified by the response. Blessings.
Patrick E. Craig