Amish Christmas Miracles- Various authors

 

You guys today I sit down with Mary Alford one of the authors from the up coming book Amish Christmas Miracles.  Stick around for a giveaway and find out how to enter. 

Blurb: 

Spend Christmas in Amish country.

As snow falls softly outside the window, curl up by the fire with this collection of 14 stories by your favorite Amish fiction authors. Let them transport you to Amish communities all across the country.

Travel to small towns where horses clip-clop down the road, farms dot the snow-covered landscape, and families gather to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.

Sigh over sweet stories that touch your heart. Laugh, cry, rejoice, and smile as couples renew their faith and find their perfect soul mates.

These heartwarming tales of faith, hope, love, and Christmas miracles are a special gift to you from Kathleen Fuller, Lenora Worth, Adina Senft, Laura Bradford, Jennifer Beckstrand, Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann, Rachel J. Good, Serena B. Miller, Mary Alford, Loree Lough, Dana R. Lynn, Susan Simpson, Tracy Fredrychowski, and Ashley Emma.

May you be richly blessed this holiday season!  

*So, I have three of your books on my TBR pile when I started this one, do you find it hard writing back to back books like that? Keeping things separate?

 

It is hard at times, especially when you shift between genres such as suspense and Amish romance like in Amish Christmas Miracles. Which is why I make lots of notes for each book I’m writing. That includes character bios, setting information, and a detailed story outline. If I’m working on a series, such as my Courage Under Fire series, the story information can become quite long. 

    

*I know this Story is in a book with 13 other stories and then you have another mystery book with 9 other authors. Do you enjoy collaborating with others? 

 

I do enjoy working with other authors. I have had the privilege of collaborating with some incredibly talented authors and I have learned something from each of them. When you put together so many different voices into one collection, you have something for every reader no matter the genre.        

 

 

*This story is centered around Christmas which hands down for me is one of my favorites, what is your favorite holiday? What do you enjoy most about that holiday?

 

Oh, I agree with you, Sarah. Christmas is my favorite holiday, too. I love it when the holiday decorations start showing up at the stores because making the house feel special for Christmas is so much fun. It is a holiday filled with a hope that came with the birth of our Savior. His birth, death, and resurrection changed everything for our world.  

 

 

*So, I love when authors write children into books and make them shine and I feel like you did that with Lyddie! Do you have a favorite character in this book or any of your upcoming books? And do you find it hard to write about kids and their personalities? 

 

Lyddie was so much fun to write. I love her excitement at moving to a new location. She and I have one thing in common, she loves the snow about as much as I do. 

Kids are interesting to write about in that they are just honest and straightforward. I love their enthusiasm for life and the simple trust they have. It makes me wish we could all be like that. It’s a shame life has a way of taking away that curious wonder we have as children.   

I also enjoyed writing Abigail and Simon’s story. Their romance touched my heart. Two former sweethearts reunited. The mistakes that drove them apart in the past are worked out and they find the happily-ever-after they so deserve.     

 

 

Thank you so much for always being willing to work with me and for all the amazing books. I cannot wait for all these books you have coming out!!!

 

Thank you, Sarah. I so appreciate your support. For authors, it means the world to have readers spread the news about our books.   

Where to buy the book :

www.amazon.com

www.barnesandnoble.com

books.apple.com

Ok now that you have made it to the end I want to take a moment again to thank Mary for stopping by and answering my questions. Now for the giveaway follow the steps below and be entered to win a copy of Amish Christmas Miracles. 

Disclosure- None of the authors in this book are involved in this giveaway and I am only responsible for the giveaway. Winner are chosen at random and will receive a kindle version of this book. 

Giveaway link

 

 

Interview with Mary Alford-------Giveaway is closed------

Yall I am so happy to be able to sit down with Mary and find out some fun stuff stay till the end of the Interview to enter to win a book by Mary Alford. Thank you Mary for sitting down with me to do this interview. 

Mary-Thank you, Sarah, for reaching out to me!

I wanted to start off with some random questions and then I will jump in to your books. Ok let's get started. 

• What are some of your Hobbies?

Is reading considered a hobby? I’m huge reader. My Kindle is full of books and I keep adding to them almost every day. And in our neighborhood, we have our own reading club. The ladies of the neighborhood pass around the books they’ve read. Right now, I have a bag full of books to read. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be enough time to read everything that I want to read. 

In addition to reading, I love to play the piano. For me, playing Christian songs on the piano is another way to draw closer to God. A form of worship. 

I also play at gardening, (I say play because I mostly have a black thumb), and I love doing crafts, especially around Christmas time. 

• Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?

For me, coffee is a necessity. I can’t start my day without two cups of Starbucks House Blend, (though I think it’s mostly mental since I drink decaf). 

• What’s your favorite go to meal?

Hum, that’s a hard one. Most of our meals are simple, but if I could name one meal that’s a favorite, I’d say its homemade pizza with everything, and I mean everything, on it. 

• I know some authors like to have certain snacks or drinks while they write, do you have a favorite snack food or drink around why you write?

I do! I’m a huge fan of peanut butter M&Ms and Bai Coconut Water. It’s hard to write without them. They’ve become part of my routine, although only a handful of the M&Ms. The Bai Coconut Water, well, I don’t feel bad about drinking them. 

• Do you or did you have a person that inspired you to write?

My husband has always been my biggest supporter. He encourages me to keep going when sometimes that’s not an easy thing to do, and when I fail, he props me up. He’s amazing. I can’t imagine doing what I do without him. 

• Do you have a Favorite place to write?

I know a lot of authors have offices and I do as well, but more times than not, I’ve got my laptop in my lap and I’m in my recliner with the TV going, or not. I can write either way. 

• Do you have a favorite author?

Yes, I have many. But the two that most inspire me are Lynette Eason and Christy Barritt. These ladies are dynamos. Not only are the amazing storytellers, but they are humble and giving women. I’ve asked them both for advice many times and they’re always willing to help. 

• I love that you write suspense it seems like very book I have ever read by you always have me on the edge of my seat. Is there something that inspires you to write suspense?

I’d say it’s what I enjoy reading more than anything, and I love the challenge of pitting good and against evil. Though I’m the author and I know the outcome going into a story, the journey to get to that happy ending can be challenging and thrilling to write. I love that! 

• Out of all your books do you have a favorite?

I know its corny, but my favorite is the next book I’m writing. I just turned in another Amish Suspense set in West Kootenai, Montana, and I hated to see it end. Now, I’m starting a new spy story for the next installment of the Cost of Redemption series, and I’m chomping at the bit to tell CIA Director Coleman Dean’s story. 

• I know you just released two books this month Blackbird and Amish Country Kidnapping do you have a favorite character in either one of these stories?

I love how broken the heroine in Blackbird, Sara Hersberger, is. She survived her father’s abuse only to believe he’s a serial killer. How do you get beyond that? Both Blackbird and Amish Country Kidnapping are second chance stories where the hero and heroine had once been in love, but for different reasons, their romance didn’t survive. Now they have a second chance. Those types of stories are favorites of mine. 

• Both stories are Amish based do you find it hard to keep the stories close to their Authenticity even though these are fiction books? 

Amish stories in particular are hard to write, because there are religious beliefs that the Amish adhere to that must be respected. I do tons of research to make sure that I do justice to the Plain way of life, but yes, it is hard, especially when you have an Amish hero or heroine and someone who isn’t at the time of the story. 

• Which scene was most difficult to write?

In my March release, Amish Country Murder, I have a heroine who is being held by a serial killer. Writing about how desperate she felt while being held hostage, and then the terrifying escape scene were so hard to write. I wanted to keep them real, but there were limits to what I could put in the book. Writing about bad guys can be difficult. 

• Were there scenes you ended up cutting you wish you could've kept? 

Having to cut scenes is hard. Off the top of my head, I’d say having to tone down some of the scenes to fit the story is the hardest for me. All of my books are Christian books, so it’s a balance to keep the stories real, and yet not offend anyone. 

• If you can, can you tell us what is next?

I just turned in my November Love Inspired story that is again set in West Kootenai, Montana, and it is the first book in a series about the Shelter brothers. The first book features Aaron Shelter and a woman who is on the run and hiding out near the community. 

I’m also working on book four of the Courage Under Fire series. It is entitled Chinook Winds. It is the final in this series but will introduce another exiting series to come. 

Well thank you again for Taking the time to do this interview

-Thank you, Sarah, for inviting me to share this time with you. 

Now for the fun part click on the link below to enter to win a book by Mary. I love all her books so I am happy to be giving one away. Thank you all so much for stopping by so glad to have you here. Hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did. 

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Where you can connect with the author:

maryalford.net

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Mary Alford's other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

End Game Giveaway Rachel Dylan

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Welcome Y'all I am so excited to have a chance to Interview Rachel Dylan and talk about her newest book and also get a chance to talk to get to know more about her. At the end of the interview I will be giving a copy of Rachel Dylan's newest book so stick around read the interview and find out how to enter. In no way is this giveaway sponsored.

Really quick before we jump in I wanted to explain that I have been reading Rachel for a few years now and I love her books. If you have never read anything by her I would say I can compare her stories to the others like Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, Susan Sleeman and Terri Blackstock. Y'all her book are worth the read grab one you won't be disappointed. Now on to the interview



Ok, I know you are a big pet person so my first question is:

If you could ask your pet 3 questions, what would they be?

1. What do you really think about me?
2. What’s your favorite food?
3. Do you miss me while I’m at work? ☺

DO you think your cat or any cat for that purpose has any regrets?

LOL, no I don’t. Cat’s don’t roll like that.

I know some authors like to have certain snacks or drinks why they write, Do you have a favorite snack food or drink around why you write? 

I usually always have water and sometimes coffee. I love cheez-its but they are super unhealthy so I’ve tried to cut back. 

I know you are a Lawyer have you always wanted to be both a Lawyer and a writer or did one come because of the other? 

I’ve always loved to write, but I didn’t realize I was going to be a novelist until I was in my 30s. I didn’t always want to be a lawyer, but it seemed like a good fit and a very practical decision. 

Do you or did you have a person that inspired you to write?

I think it was a combination of people. I was fortunate enough to have a very supportive family and teachers that encouraged my love for reading and writing. 

Do you have a Favorite place to write?

I usually write at my kitchen table. I have an office but I usually end up in the kitchen surrounded by my furry friends. 

Do you have a favorite author?

It’s hard to pick one favorite, but I really love Joel Rosenberg’s novels. 

I have always loved every one of your books that I read I am never able to put them down. I felt that same way with END GAME , Tell us a little about how this story first came to be. Did it start with an image, a voice, a concept, a dilemma or something else?

I think it started with a general concept about three women who went to law school together but ended up going into different career paths that weren’t all lawyers. Then it expanded from there. 

Who are your main characters? Tell as a little about what makes them tick?

END GAME focuses on Bailey Ryan and Marco Agostini. Bailey and Marco are very different. Bailey is a law and order type—largely driven by her legal experience. Marco, on the other hand, is more focused about getting the job done and cutting through the red tape. Their work styles end up complimenting each other but it also provides a good amount of conflict as well. 

Do you have a favorite character in this book? 

I do, but I can’t tell you that. LOL—actually I have a favorite character in the series. I think it will become apparent at some point☺ 

Which scene was most difficult to write?

There was no one specific scene that comes to mind. Writing in general is hard, but some stories flow more easily than others. 

Were there scenes you ended up cutting you wish you could've kept? 

I tend to write pretty lean so usually we’re adding elements as opposed to taking them away. 

If you can, can you tell us what is next to expect with this series or any other books you have in the make?

Yes! The next book is Layla’s story and I’ll be releasing the title soon. It will come out in October, and I’m super excited about it. 



Now to the Giveaway follow the link below and the steps to enter to win a copy of End Game. Thank you Rachel so much for taking the time to do this interview I had a blast reading all your answers and I can't wait for more from these friends. The giveaway will be up until 2/3 at midnight. stop by and enter.

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