Right now I haven’t scheduled anything for 2021 since I’m at
high risk for the virus. But I do hope to attend the ACFW conference in the
fall, and smaller Ohio
conferences and meetings until then. I truly don’t look forward to getting on a
plane.
I so understand. I’m
at high risk for the virus, too, so I’m careful. If you were planning a women’s
retreat, what would be the theme for it?
I believe my theme would be “The role of Christian women in
a rapidly changing world.” Between racial tensions across the country and this
horrible virus, Christian women need to safely reach out to others with
understanding and kindness. Many people are hurting—emotionally, financially
and spiritually. We need to serve them while spreading the word that our only
hope, our only lifeline, is Jesus.
I so agree with you.
He is the only answer. Who would you want as speakers and why?
Well, the first speaker I’d invite would be you, Lena , because I know you and your husband have spent many
years in Christian service. The second person I’d invite would be my pastor’s
wife for her speaking ability, and finally I’d invite someone who has worked
outside the US
in missions.
Where would you hold
the retreat and why?
I would hold the retreat at one of Ohio ’s seven state parks. Each lodge has all
the necessary amenities for the perfect getaway—pools, lakes, bike trails, water
sports, restaurants, plus acres of forest trails for peaceful prayers and
mediation. They have plenty of space to convene indoors, outdoors, even under
the stars.
I would accept that
invitation to speak there in a heartbeat. Do you read print books or ebooks? Or
a combination of the two?
I’m an old-fashioned girl…I read only print books. I like
the feel of paper and a solid binding. Also, since I spend so much time on my
computer as an author, I like to get away from electronics during my free time.
Missing is an interesting title. How did you come up with it?
During rumschpringe, Amish parents allow their daughters quite
a bit of freedom. This is the time for young men and women to experience the
Englishers’ world before settling down, getting married, and committing to the
Amish faith. When my Amish character disappears, her parents assume she went to
an amusement park for a few days or took a trip to Cleveland . Only her English friend, Lily, suspects
something has happened to Charlotte .
Interesting. So what
is the book about?
Young women are disappearing in Plum Creek , Ohio ,
and Lily Sellers seems to be the only one concerned. Since her parents own a
grocery store in Holmes Country, Lily grew up surrounded by Amish until she
left for college. But her father’s sudden death brings her home until her
mother can find a buyer for the store. FBI agent Marc Harris hasn’t been home
since joining the profiler unit five years ago. His agenda for the next ten
days includes fishing, visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and falling
asleep in the hammock. But an impulsive stop at the country store changes his
plans. Marc enjoys getting to know Lily but doesn’t buy her theory. Marc joins
Lily’s wild goose chase, if for no reason than to prove Plum Creek is still the
same sweet town he remembers. Lily accompanies Charlotte
to an Amish tent revival where Charlotte
meets the handsome, charismatic preacher. When Charlotte also disappears, Lily fears a
dangerous predator is preying on young women. Marc must rally the Bureau’s full
resources to unravel a complicated scheme of deception.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Funny how life sometimes turns out…
If anyone would have asked Lily Sellers the day she
graduated from Ohio
University what she’d be
doing in three months, she never would have said stocking shelves with jams,
jellies, and pickled veggies in the heart of Amish country. Armed with degrees
in both web design and graphic arts, Lily had been searching for a job in Columbus , Cincinnati , and Chicago . Her talents and
abilities could be put to much better use in metropolitan-area corporations
than in small towns surrounded by rolling farmland. Cities also had chic
neighborhoods full of eligible bachelors and elegant apartments. Lily didn’t
know what she wanted more: a furnished urban loft where she could display her
fledgling collection of cityscape photographs, or an honest-to-goodness date
that didn’t involve college sports or a fraternity house party.
Where did women meet men who enjoyed museums, art galleries,
coffeehouses, and an occasional hike in the great outdoors? Certainly not in a
grocery store that catered to tourists by the busload.
But for the foreseeable future, Plum Creek was where she
needed to be.
Her father hadn’t asked for the heart attack which ended his
life at fifty-eight. Nor had her mother wanted the auto-immune disease which
robbed her of energy and motor coordination and now confined her to a
wheelchair. Her parents had sacrificed summer vacations, home improvements, and
creature comforts to put her through four years of college. So until they found
a suitable buyer for Sellers’ Country Market, Lily would remain in Plum Creek
to help Mom manage the store. Columbus , Cincinnati , and Chicago —along
with Rome , Paris ,
and London —would
still be there when the time was right.
“Lily?” said a weak voice over the store’s loudspeaker.
“Could you come up front, please? And bring the broom,” her Mom added.
Lily pushed the case of apricot preserves out of the way of
unobservant shoppers, grabbed the broom from the stockroom, and hurried to the
front, smiling at tourists and local patrons along the way. At the cash
register, Lily found a red-faced shopper and her mom in a ruffled smock with Connie,
at your service embroidered over the left pocket.
“Sorry for the mess, Lily,” said the customer. “Your ma told
me to leave the sunflower seeds in the cart, but I didn’t listen.” Between the
checkout conveyor and the candy rack lay twenty-five pounds of scattered
birdseed.
How can readers find
you on the Interet?
Thank you, Mary, for
sharing Missing with us. I’m eager to
read it. I just love your writing.
Readers, here is a link to the book.
Missing
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.
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The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on
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8 comments:
Sounds like a wonderful book! Shelia from Mississippi
I enjoy Mary Ellis's books! Looking forward to reading HIDDEN.
Caryl K in TEXAS
This sounds like a story I would enjoy reading. Linda in SoCal
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Isn't life funny? It can change in an instant. I would enjoy reading this book. Thanks for sharing.
Robin in NC
Missing sounds very interesting. I've read a few of Mary's books so know they are very good. Thanks for the giveaway.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas
Thanks everyone who left me a comment. but one clarification. The name of the novella is Missing, not Hidden.
Missing sounds wonderful and I am looking forward to reading it!
Blessings!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I've read many of Mary Ellis' books and there isn't a bad one in the bunch (at least in those I've read anyway!) Since romantic suspense is my top favorite genre, I would love to read Missing.
Pam G in OH
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