Tag Archives: love inspired

A Precious Christmas Gift

30 Thursday Jul 2020

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Coming December 2020 to bookstores everywhere!

I wanted to show you this brand new cover. I couldn’t love this one more! This is the second book in my Redemption’s Amish Legacies miniseries, and I hope you’ll pre-order A Precious Christmas Gift now!

So what do you think of the cover? Do you love it as much as I do?

Precious

 

To make her hardest choice, this new mother must follow her heart.

’Tis the season of love, forgiveness…and goodbyes?

Unwed and heavily pregnant, Eve Shrock faces a difficult Christmas—soon her baby will arrive and be adopted by another Amish family. Though Eve finds a friend in Noah Wiebe, the baby’s uncle-to-be, she can’t afford to fall for him. He might just make her wish for a future that seems impossible…one with her baby in her arms and Noah at her side.

 

Harlequin

Amazon

Making a scene

09 Thursday Jul 2020

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I measure my life out in scenes written. How did my day go? “I wrote two scenes today, and started a third. So good!” or “I just couldn’t get into it today. I wrote one scene, but it was like pulling teeth. There’s always tomorrow, right?”

I realize that makes me seem like a workaholic, and I very likely am! It’s just socially acceptable to be a workaholic author. We’re expected to walk around with stories rattling around in our heads all the time. So the fact that I never really stop thinking about books and stories doesn’t surprise anyone.

When I graduated from university, I applied for a job as a store manager. I had already been working part time at a camera store, and I thought that management would give me more flexibility for my writing. (It didn’t turn out that way–no shock, right?)

Anyway, while I was managing a small store in a wealthy part of Toronto, a lady came into the store pushing a stroller. She threw a pile of negatives down onto the counter and said, “Just print the ones from the birthday party.”

“One of each of all of these?” I asked.

“No! The ones from the party!”

She continued to escalate, shouting at me that I should just do as she said, stomping around. I couldn’t possibly know which photos to print without her help in choosing them.

“I can’t deal with this!” she yelled. “My husband is on a business trip! I do not have the energy for this!”

She went out of the store for a minute, and then came back in and ranted some more. Finally, she took her negatives and left, and I just sort of stood there, stunned. There was a lady in the shop, and she said,

“That wasn’t about you. Don’t take it personally. I know who she is. Do you want to know what that was about?”

“Sure,” I said.

“Her husband was on a business trip,” the woman said, using air quotes. “With the secretary. He’s cheating on her right now, and there’s nothing she can do about it. So maybe that will make you feel a bit better.”

In a way it did–not for vengeance, just for perspective. And ever after, whenever I see someone melting down in public, I remember that poor lady who didn’t know what to do when her marriage was imploding, so she yelled at the manager of the camera shop.

It made me a more empathic person. It also made me a better writer. I didn’t take that outburst personally. I used it for writing fodder, instead. Because whenever I look around and see confusing outbursts, or behaviour that doesn’t make sense to me, my novelist brain kicks into gear and I start making up backstory to make the behaviour make emotional sense.

And all of that goes into writing my scenes day in and day out. It’s never wasted!

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Don’t forget–you can find my bestselling Amish romance at Harlequin’s Love Inspired as well as Kensington Books! And all of them are sold at Walmart, Target, and at booksellers everywhere. 

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Top shelf!

06 Monday Jul 2020

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A reader sent me this picture of my book, THURSDAY’S BRIDE, on the top shelf of the Bestselling Authors shelf in a Meijer’s store in Michigan. How cool is that? I might have squealed when I saw that!

top shelf

 

Do you see it? Top shelf, third from the left. 🙂 I’m in such stellar company as Debbie Macomber, Nora Roberts, Marta Perry… It’s such a thrill to just be on the same shelves as the big girls!

On a different topic, there is a giveaway going on my Facebook page  right now with the lovely Virginia Wise. She writes historical Amish novels about the Amish families who settled in North America, and follows their lives and loves.

july 1-11

Come by my FB page and enter to win the prize pack! I’ll be choosing a winner bright and early on the morning of July 11, 2020. We’d love to see you!

***

Don’t forget–you can find my bestselling Amish romance at Harlequin’s Love Inspired as well as Kensington Books! And all of them are sold at Walmart, Target, and at booksellers everywhere. 

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Spot the Difference!

18 Thursday Jun 2020

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I love it when Harlequin uses my book cover for a Spot the Difference. 🙂 And this month, they did!

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Do you see it? I spotted this one right away. A lot of times I really struggle to find these, but either this one was easy, or just because I know this cover like the back of my hand, it jumped out at me. 😉 You can tell me if it did the same for you.

I hope you’ll pick up a copy if you haven’t grabbed one yet!

***

On the shelves now! 

3.295427.512.9781335488183They need her help. She needs them…

An Amish bachelor. A motherless child.

Can she turn them into a real family?

Schoolteacher Patience Flaud longs for a family of her own—but knows it can never happen. At least she can help Amish bachelor Thomas Wiebe with his small Englisher daughter. As she settles the child into Amish life, Patience begins falling for the bewildered new father and his heartbroken little girl. But is love enough to make them a permanent family?

Harlequin

Barnes and Noble

 

 

Don’t hate me, but…

15 Monday Jun 2020

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I’m kind of liking quarantine. Is that crazy? It might become crazy over time, but I’m such a home body that this really isn’t bothering me too much.

Like many people I worry about staying clear of the virus. I take precautions and do my best to be as responsible as possible. I wear my mask when I go out on essential errands, and use sanitizer on my hands.

And at home? I write books. I read books. I do basic yoga that is probably not very pretty to look at, but it keeps me limber.  I cook a lot… and I tend to my little balcony garden. I hang out with my son who is homeschooling until my husband comes home and we eat together.

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It’s rather peaceful, actually! I mean, I do have deadlines to meet and a living to make, but I can do all of that from right here in my home, and taking away any obligation to leave the home for anything but groceries or the post office, I’m gone from stressed out (stage one of quarantine?) to kind of mellow.

It makes me think of ladies back in the 1800s, taking their strolls through the garden, doing a little painting by some trees, and then reading in the sitting room. I used to wonder how they didn’t die of boredom, but I think I’m starting to understand what happens to you when you’re cooped up over a long period of time. You kind of give in to it!

I think an 1800s life of leisure would suit me, so long as I was allowed to write books, wasn’t squeezed into a corset, and didn’t have anyone patronizing me. Oh, and no balls! I couldn’t survive a hot, stuffy social obligation rife with airborne pathogens. (I would have been difficult to marry off, wouldn’t I? 😉 )

So maybe what I want is just a gorgeous country house with lots of beautifully kept land surrounding it, and to be left alone at it. Too much to ask? Probably.

**

On the shelves now! 

3.295427.512.9781335488183They need her help. She needs them…

An Amish bachelor. A motherless child.

Can she turn them into a real family?

Schoolteacher Patience Flaud longs for a family of her own—but knows it can never happen. At least she can help Amish bachelor Thomas Wiebe with his small Englisher daughter. As she settles the child into Amish life, Patience begins falling for the bewildered new father and his heartbroken little girl. But is love enough to make them a permanent family?

Harlequin

Barnes and Noble

 

Publishers Weekly!

01 Monday Jun 2020

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I’m just thrilled to announce that I made #22 on this week’s Publishers Weekly mass market bestsellers list! I’m just so excited!

The Nanny's Amish

I took a screenshot of the list, and I printed if off, because really, there is nothing quite so memorable as your first time on a bestsellers list!

PW bestseller

There it is… Isn’t it beautiful?

Here’s a better look at it:

Screen Shot 2020-05-28 at 10.18.03 AM

I’m just so grateful for my amazing readers who made this possible. All of you who ran out and picked up a copy–I love you! 🙂

And if you haven’t gotten one yet, they’re on the shelves now!

***

On the shelves now! 

3.295427.512.9781335488183They need her help. She needs them…

An Amish bachelor. A motherless child.

Can she turn them into a real family?

Schoolteacher Patience Flaud longs for a family of her own—but knows it can never happen. At least she can help Amish bachelor Thomas Wiebe with his small Englisher daughter. As she settles the child into Amish life, Patience begins falling for the bewildered new father and his heartbroken little girl. But is love enough to make them a permanent family?

Harlequin

Barnes and Noble

 

My little balcony garden

21 Thursday May 2020

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I planted my little balcony garden this year, and I love it already! We don’t have a lot of space, but I do like to watch things grow over the summer, and it’s soothing to stand out there on a summer morning, plucking dried blooms off the flowers, or watering the pots.

This year, I have a tomato plant, a strawberry plant, some geraniums and some peas. We’ll see how the peas go! I’ve tried them before on the balcony, and they weren’t successful, so maybe I’m crazy to try again, but I’d really love some fresh peas!

strawberries

 

garden 1

Plus, my little balcony garden is a great place to take pictures of my Amish books–don’t you think? 🙂

This book is on the shelves now! So I do hope you’ll pick up a copy!

nanny B

 

***

On the shelves now! 

3.295427.512.9781335488183They need her help. She needs them…

An Amish bachelor. A motherless child.

Can she turn them into a real family?

Schoolteacher Patience Flaud longs for a family of her own—but knows it can never happen. At least she can help Amish bachelor Thomas Wiebe with his small Englisher daughter. As she settles the child into Amish life, Patience begins falling for the bewildered new father and his heartbroken little girl. But is love enough to make them a permanent family?

Harlequin

Barnes and Noble

 

 

 

 

 

CBC Interview!

23 Thursday Apr 2020

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I wrote earlier about a CBC (Canadian news) interview that was done, and a print story of the experience came out, as well as on TV!

patricia-johns

Buggies and barn scenes: Alberta writer explains allure of Amish romance novels

So, if you’d like to check out the story, it’s there!

If you want to watch the 2 minute video, it’s right here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VrKz9Z8eII

And speaking of Amish romance, have you picked up my newest release?

***

In stores now!

(All the buy links can be found here on Kensington Books page.)

Thursday's Bride MM

 

For a proper young Amish widow struggling to begin again, encountering her reckless first love will test her forgiveness, resolve—and heart . . .

Overwhelmed by grief and tending twin baby daughters, Rosmanda Lapp is without options. She still blames her brother-in-law, Levi, for her husband’s accidental death—but she and her aging in-laws need him to keep their farm going. Yet as Levi takes on his responsibilities with a new determination and steadiness, she can’t help but regret that she chose his serious-minded brother over him. For Levi is still very much the passionate man she loved—and Rosmanda now has even more reasons to keep him at arm’s length . . .

Levi can’t blame Rosmanda for staying clear of him. He has mistakes to make up for and must finally do right by his parents. Still, he never got over his brother stealing Rosmanda away. And he can’t  deny the feelings that even now tempt them back to each other. And when a mistake from her past threatens her reputation, Levi will do whatever it takes to help her—and trust that faith and courage will at last help them claim a future together . . .

Amazon

Kensington –links to all other retailers

 

 

Reviewers Wanted!

16 Thursday Apr 2020

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UPDATE: I have enough reviewers for this title now. Thanks!

It’s that time again! I am looking for a few good reviewers for my June 2020 release, THE NANNY’S AMISH FAMILY that is being published through Harlequin’s Love Inspired line.  I’m looking for readers who can commit to leaving honest reviews in time for June 1 release.

3.295427.512.9781335488183

They need her help. She needs them…

An Amish bachelor. A motherless child.

Can she turn them into a real family?

Schoolteacher Patience Flaud longs for a family of her own—but knows it can never happen. At least she can help Amish bachelor Thomas Wiebe with his small Englisher daughter. As she settles the child into Amish life, Patience begins falling for the bewildered new father and his heartbroken little girl. But is love enough to make them a permanent family?

 

If you love Amish romance and you’d like to be considered to review this book and post reviews on various online locations, all you have to do is fill out the form below and let me know:

1. A little bit about yourself

2. Where you would be willing to post reviews, such as:

Goodreads
BookBub
Amazon
Facebook
Barnes and Noble
Indigo/Chapters (Canada)
Books-A-Million
Your review site
Any retailer you where you buy your books!

*The review copy is EPUB. Sorry, no exceptions.

 

 

Don’t Miss Out on All That Amish!

13 Monday Apr 2020

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Patricia Davids and I have something in common–we both write Amish romance for more than one publisher/publishing line! If you’re an Amish fan though Love Inspired, I’m sure you’ve heard of Patricia Davids–she’s forty books deep, and an absolute legend.

This spring/summer, we both have Amish books coming out in two different publishing lines, and you don’t want to miss out. Our books are sweet, inspirational, and filled with all that deep Amish character that you’ve been longing for.

headshot-to-use

 

Pat Davids's coverComing May 26,2020
Published by HQN

Sarah Yoder has always dreamed of having a family of her own. But with no eligible prospects, she’s beginning to worry—until the Raber brothers return to Cedar Grove. Sarah and Isaac Raber walked out together the summer they were sixteen, so perhaps he’s the one. If only she had a little help catching his eye…

Levi Raber has no interest in marriage. When his mother reveals her plans to deed the family farm to the first son who marries, Levi has a plan to ensure that it isn’t him: a pretend courtship with Sarah to nudge his competitive brother in her direction. Then Levi can leave town to train racehorses—just as he wanted. So why does Sarah—with her vision of a peaceful, happy life on the land—make his heart gallop? Perhaps the answer lies in the promise of how sweetly surprising love can be.

 

amish teacherReleased March 2020
Published by Love Inspired

The teacher next door could be the mother they need…

Will she return to her old life…or risk everything to build a new one?

Taking a schoolteacher position in another district is just the change Amish spinster Eva Coblentz needs. And with her new neighbor, blacksmith Willis Gingrich, struggling to raise his three orphaned siblings, Eva is determined to help them heal. But when her relatives insist she come home, Eva must choose between the life she left…and the one she’s growing to love.

 

And I have two Amish books through two different publishers!

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Thursday's Bride MM

Released April 2020
Published by Kensington Books

For a proper young Amish widow struggling to begin again, encountering her reckless first love will test her forgiveness, resolve—and heart . . .

Overwhelmed by grief and tending twin baby daughters, Rosmanda Lapp is without options. She still blames her brother-in-law, Levi, for her husband’s accidental death—but she and her aging in-laws need him to keep their farm going. Yet as Levi takes on his responsibilities with a new determination and steadiness, she can’t help but regret that she chose his serious-minded brother over him. For Levi is still very much the passionate man she loved—and Rosmanda now has even more reasons to keep him at arm’s length . . .

Levi can’t blame Rosmanda for staying clear of him. He has mistakes to make up for and must finally do right by his parents. Still, he never got over his brother stealing Rosmanda away. And he can’t deny the feelings that even now tempt them back to each other. And when a mistake from her past threatens her reputation, Levi will do whatever it takes to help her—and trust that faith and courage will at last help them claim a future together . . .

 

3.295427.512.9781335488183

Coming June 2020
Published by Love Inspired

They need her help. She needs them…

An Amish bachelor. A motherless child.

Can she turn them into a real family?

Schoolteacher Patience Flaud longs for a family of her own—but knows it can never happen. At least she can help Amish bachelor Thomas Wiebe with his small Englisher daughter. As she settles the child into Amish life, Patience begins falling for the bewildered new father and his heartbroken little girl. But is love enough to make them a permanent family?

 

If you love Amish romance, you can find both Patricia Davids and I published by more than one publishing line. Patricia Davids writes for Love Inspired, HQN and Kensington Books, and I write Amish romance for Love Inspired and Kensington Books (as well as contemporary romance through Harlequin Heartwarming).

So, if you already love our books from one publisher, why not try our other books, too? You won’t be disappointed!