THE BARGAIN - Stephanie Reed - One Free Book on This Blog, Plus More

Bio: Stephanie Reed lives on the outskirts of Plain City, Ohio, site of a once-thriving Amish community. She gleans ideas for her novels from signs glimpsed along the byways of Ohio, as she did for her previous books, Across the Wide River and The Light Across the River. 

Welcome, Stephanie. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Hi, Lena! I put a lot of myself into every character. By the time I’m done writing books, I should be completely drained onto the printed page.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Ever? Hard to pin down, but my neighbors would say it’s when I run outside and clap my hands at rabbits to keep them from eating flowers I’ve labored over. Doesn’t work, though.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Pretty young, like maybe six or seven. Writers see the world differently. “Hey, the moon’s out in the daytime!” Or at twilight on my grandma’s porch, “It sounds like an animal symphony.” Those are two very early observations I made.

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

I like children’s novels, biographies, cozies and regular mysteries, humor, short stories, and romance. I will try most genres, but I don’t like horror or most sci-fi. When I was a kid and out of books, I read the encyclopedia and even the phone book.

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

I stopped running a long time ago. I know I will never be the best at anything, but God loves me anyway, and that’s more than enough. People who visit my house feel relaxed; some have fallen asleep.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

For The Bargain, which is set in a once-thriving Amish town, I chose last names from businesses still in the area. I found some first names in an Amish cemetery, so I know they’re authentic. Some of the English names are those of childhood friends.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Well, I can’t take full credit, but I’m very proud of my grown children. And I make great brownies.

I love brownies. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

A horse. I always wanted to find a horse like all the heroines in the horse stories I read. If I actually were a horse, I could skip saddling up before going out for a gallop.

What is your favorite food?

A doughnut.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Story structure. I’ve read many ebooks about it. I guess with all the books I’ve read and movies I’ve seen, I got so caught up in the story that I missed the framework holding it all together.

Tell us about the featured book.

I live near Plain City, Ohio, which once had a large Amish population, but now only five ladies remain. I interviewed a woman at her shop, heard a bit of her story, and wondered what happened to all the other Amish. I set this book in the 70s because that’s when I grew up. The tag line for The Bargain is: An Amish girl helps an English boy, a shattered survivor of the Kent State Massacre, find real peace in the summer of 1971. I love the trailer!

Please give us the first page of the book.

Delighted! You can read it here at my blog.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can like my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, read my Plain and Simple Blog posts, check Goodreads, or visit my website, which will be undergoing some changes.

Thanks for the opportunity to share with your fans, Lena! Your questions are refreshing.


Stephanie L. Reed is celebrating the release of The Bargain, the first book in her new series, Plain City Peace, with a Kindle Fire Bargain Bundle giveaway!

 
  One winner will receive a Bargain Bundle:

• A Kindle Fire
• The Bargain by Stephanie Reed

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 27th. Winner will be announced at the Litfuse blog on October 28th.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by the Litfuse blog on the 28th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to their blog {enter your email in the blog sidebar} and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox)!

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

The Bargain - Christianbook.com
The Bargain: A Novel (Plain City Peace) - Amazon.com
The Bargain (Plain City Peace) - 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.

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