Thursday, August 26, 2010

SARAH'S GARDEN-INTERVIEW WITH KELLY LONG--FREE BOOKS!

I’m so excited to introduce you to my best friend and writing partner, Kelly Long, who writes Amish Romance. Kelly’s books are flying off the shelves, but that’s no surprise to me. Here's the blurb from Sarah's Garden.

When Sarah realizes that she has fallen in love with an Englisch doctor, she must choose between loving a man and losing her family.

Deep in the heart of Pennsylvania's Allegheny Mountains, shy Sarah King is happiest when working in her vibrant Amish kitchen garden, but new family responsibilities lead her into the confusing world of the Englisch.

Sarah finds her life turned around when she encounters the community's new Englisch veterinarian, Grant Williams. His blue-gold eyes and his obvious concern for her people attract her immediately. Sarah seeks solace and direction from the Lord as she creates a quilt pattern which details her struggle between two worlds.

The Lord is guiding Sarah to follow His will, but will she listen?


Kelly Long is the author of Sarah’s Garden, the first in the Patch of Heaven Series, Lilly’s Wedding Quilt, Christmas Cradles from the Expanded Edition of An Amish Christmas and A Marriage of the Heart from An Amish Love. She focuses Amish fiction to represent the Amish culture of North Central Pennsylvania and the Allegheny Mountains, where she was born and raised. She previously taught both English and Latin at the high school level and holds degrees from both Penn State University and The University of New Hampshire.

***Kelly will give away autographed copies of both Sarah’s Garden and Christmas in Lancaster County The Expanded Edition*** when you post a comment to my blog. Check back next Friday evening for the drawing.


Kelly, tell us a little about your book.


Sarah’s Garden is about the transforming power of God’s love and the renewing potential He creates in our lives, as exhibited by the Amish in both their kitchen gardens and quilting patterns.

Why do you think Amish novels are so popular right now?


I truly believe that this is the emergence of a new literary subgenre, not just the hottest thing. What Stephen Crane did for the Western in A Bride Comes to Yellow Sky and Poe did for horror, writers like Beverly Lewis are doing to build the foundations of an enduring expansion in literature.

Where do you get your inspirations?

Childhood memories mostly or from overheard snippets of random conversations, but most especially from God. He is the True Artist, the Author and Finisher…

What is your favorite aspect of the writing process?

The stirrings of the initial ideas for a story…that aha moment when you can begin. Otherwise, writing is very hard work.

Who influenced your writing the most, besides God?


My sixth grade teacher, Bob Dwyer, from Lock Haven, Penn. (Still teaching—go Mr. Dwyer!) He taught about writing as process not muse driven moments of emotion.

What are you reading in your spare time?


Uhh…let’s see…The Bible on a daily basis, An Alchemy of Genres, Save the Cat, and The Moral Premise…


If you could live anywhere on earth, where would that be?


Far, far, far away…just AWAY…from the daily stresses of life.

If you could meet one famous person still alive today, who would that be?


That’s a tough one. I’d like to meet a lot of dead people…I suppose I’d like to meet a child who will someday change the world for the better. (But that could be any child---so…)

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?

Sleep. It’s vastly fun to dream and escape.

What gift did you receive that you will always treasure?


Eternal life.

What’s your favorite Bible verse?

It always changes…Right now, I’m loving the verses that make up the encounter between David and Goliath and remembering that the true giant in the story is God.

When new projects are you working on now and when will your next book release?


I’m finishing edits on Lilly’s Wedding Quilt and beginning a novella for a collection with Beth Wiseman and Kathy Fuller called An Amish Wedding. An Amish Love releases in late December.

Where can readers connect with you?

Kelly Long Fans at Facebook…Amishromance at Twitter…www.kellylongbooks.com (still under construction) and at Author Central on Amazon, and at AmishLiving.com. I love to hear from readers!

Thanks, Kelly for taking the time to be interviewed for my readers as well as yours. It was fun to pick your brain aside from our normal brainstorming time together. You can check out all of Kelly's books at Christianbook.com or Amazon. Don't forget to post a comment for the drawing next week for your chance to win.

Until we meet again,

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly ( and Brenda),
Any friend of Brenda's I would love to have as s friend of mine!!! I "met" Brenda after she offered a free version of one of her books on Kindle. Since then, I have purchased her other two for me and the first one for my niece. Wish her 4th was out already! Besides historical Christian romance, my other favorite genre has been Amish romance. Our daughter-in-law is from Lancaster County and many of her extended family are Old Mennonite. We also have a settlement here in Yoder, Kansas of Amish.

I am so happy Brenda has introduced you in her blog, and I'd love to be entered into the drawing for an autographed copy of your book. Even though I'll purchase your book if it is available on Kindle, I'd live to give a copy to my niece ( who is an actual hold-in-your-hand book lover. !

-- Gayle Ast

Anonymous said...

PS I am familiar with many of the differences between the various Amish and Mennonite groups, as my childhood background is one of the Mennonite branches, so I did not confuse them in my note above. --Gayle

Molly said...

I would LOVE to win Christmas in Lancaster County! Kelly is such a sweet lady and I am excited about her Amish novels! I already own Sarah's Garden so the Christmas book would be a welcomed addition!

Thanks for this chance!
Blessings,
Molly
Mollydedwards AT YAHOO DOT COM

Jackie Russell said...

I would love to win one of Kelly's books. I haven't read any of her books yet but I'm adding her to my wish list if books.

Anonymous said...

Dear All You Great Readers,
It IS a delight to have Ms. Brendan as my dearest friend of all time! She encouraged me so much with my Amish writing! If you all love heirloom gardening, quilting, and authentic details, please continue or choose to read Sarah's Garden or the Expanded Amish Christmas! Also, watch out for Jacob's story in Lilly's Wedding Quilt...He was a tough Amish man to wrangle!!!!! Kelly Long

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read kelly's masterpieces :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Tabitha C said...

Oh I would so love to win this book. it looks so good! Please enter me!!! Thanks!

stc1125(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anna said...

Oh I would love to win this book! Since I was a child, I loved reading about the Amish.

Thank you so much!

annacoelhosilva (at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly,

I knew for a long time that you wanted to write, but didn't know you had books published until I saw your new one on Facebook. I'm anxious to read this book and the others you wrote as well. What makes it more exciting is that I know you personally because you are married to my cousin Scott.

It has been a long time since I've seen you all. Hopefully you all will be able to get to a family reunion sometime. Tell Scott I said hello

I wish you God's blessing as you continue to serve Him and minster through your writing.

Kathy Neese Beck

Maggie Brendan said...

It's good to see the comments you're receiving, Kelly! And we still have almost a week to go. Good luck everyone and thanks for stopping by:)

Deborah M said...

I really enjoyed the interview - thank you for posting it. I like so much what Kelly said about taking a vacation anywhere - just to get a way. Kelly when you go can I go with you? LOL Amish does seem to be very popular right now. I haven't read much, but I did read one of Cindy Woodsmall's book and enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. I really pays to keep an open mind when reading! Please sign me up for the giveaway. Much, much success in your writing Kelly.
Deborah M.
debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com
deborahsbutterflyjourney.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Dear Kathy,
Thank you so much as Scott's dear cousin!!! I remember you as such a strong and peaceful person--much like my Sarah...Thank you for your blessing--it means a great deal!
With Love,
Kelly

Anonymous said...

Hi Sweet Ladies...Thanks for entering and for being willing to read...I do believe that Amish romance is not just between the hero and heroine, but also between the Amish people and the reader...so enjoy the romance!
With Love,
Kelly Long

Joann King said...

I am looking forward to reading your books. I am always looking for new books with Amish themes.

Maggie Brendan said...

Hi Sweeet Ladies! Please join me, Kelly Long, from 4-5 central time this evening as I'm the guest of Amish Wisdom and Suzanne Woods Fisher. I'll be giving away more books and I'd love for you to listen!
Kelly

http://tinyurl.com/27csmno

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed Kelly Long's interview. It is very fascinating that the Amish have been able to pretty much keep their lifestyle.
Thank you, Brenda. Love your blog.
Miriam (from FB)

nhr said...

I loved the interview - and have always enjoyed books about the Amish. I would love to be entered to win. However, if I don't win the books, I feel I am a winner already because today I discovered TWO "new" authors. so you bet I'll be getting your books and reading them. Yippee. Thanks. And best of luck to both of you in your careers. Nancy

Maggie Brendan said...

Nancy,I'm glad you found us!We'll draw a winner tonight-I'll post the winner on my blog.