Recently while perusing Facebook—procrastinating instead of writing—I came across a reader’s query regarding Amish fiction. How realistic is it, she asked? Does it accurately reflect how the Amish really live? It’s a great question and one I’m sure many readers ask themselves. It’s also one I’ve longed to answer for myself as the author of… Read More
Novel research leads to deeper story, insight
One of the aspects of doing research for my novels that I really love is finding a story line that hasn’t occurred to me. That’s exactly what happened when I went to Montana last summer to research my Amish of Sky Country series. I intended to write three books, each about a different Amish friend… Read More
New year filled with new books, new contract
Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas season and a blessed new year celebration. 2018 promises to be a busy year for everyone, but readers always make time for their favorite activity—reading. That’s why I’m excited to share with you my great news. I’ll have two new books release in 2018, as… Read More
Stories reflect effort to honor Amish world view
I published my first inspirational Amish romance five years ago. I didn’t start out to write about the Amish. Quite frankly, it was my dear agent Mary Sue Seymour’s suggestion. I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it. I did a great deal of research before starting that first book, To Love and To Cherish…. Read More
Amish newspaper offers peek into daily lives
A key research tool I use for all of my Amish romance novels is a biweekly publication called The Budget. It’s a thick broadsheet newspaper filled with letters from “scribes” who write about what’s going on in their Amish and Mennonite communities across the country. I love settling onto the couch and leafing through the… Read More