I am so excited to introduce you to the first book in the American Mail-Order Bride series. First state we visit is Pennsylvania. Here is how Willow's story came to be for author, Merry Farmer.
I was incredibly fortunate to find
out about this project right at the very beginning. I was in on things early
enough to get my first pick of states, my home state of Pennsylvania. I always
tell people that I’m not particularly patriotic, but I’m incredibly
state-riotic! Pennsylvania is an awesome place with so many wonderful things
going for it. We have some of the world’s premier universities (including my
alma mater, Villanova), first-rate museums and sports teams, major industry,
vast natural resources, Hershey’s chocolate the Liberty Bell, and Gettysburg.
In fact, if Pennsylvania were to become its own independent country, it would
have the 15th largest economy in the world, all by itself!
Now, when it came to writing a
romance novel about Pennsylvania, I knew I had to tap into Amish romance.
Living near Lancaster County, I’ve always enjoyed Amish romance and been fascinated
with the community and culture. It’s an easy drive, and one that I make often
to sample the crafts and food and the general serenity of the people. I jumped
at the chance to write an Amish love story, but because I wanted it to fit in
with the backstory of the whole American Mail-Order Brides series, I knew I
needed to find a non-traditional way in.
That’s how I came up with the idea
of writing a heroine whose grandparents were Amish and who is fascinated by her
heritage, but was not raised that way herself. I also included a hero, Amos,
who was raised Amish, but who was never baptized due to a conflict that is more
than a decade old. In his heart, Amos wants to return to his community, but
years of resentment is holding him back…until Willow comes along.
Willow: Bride of Pennsylvania is
more than just a love story, it’s a story of community and friendship. It’s a
story about how we not only need a strong, core, romantic love in our lives,
but how we need friends and neighbors to make out life full. It’s a sentiment I
strongly believe in. I hope that by reading about Willow and Amos, readers will
be reminded of their own friendships and the people they have come to consider
their family and their community.
BLURB –
When Willow Miller decides to change her life by becoming a
mail-order bride to ex-Amish, Amos Stoltzfus, hope may carry her forward, but
guilt over her part in the fire that destroyed the factory where she works
holds her back.
EXCERPT –
“Willow Miller?”
Willow caught her breath and
turned with a start. A numb buzz swept through her body as she caught sight of
a man walking toward her. He was tall with broad shoulders and arms that
stretched the fabric of his simple blue shirt. He was clean-shaven, with
walnut-brown hair and hazel eyes that crinkled as he smiled. His clothes were
similar to the Amish men on the platform, but just different enough to mark
that he was not one of them. All-in-all, he was a very handsome man. And he
held three apples in one of his large hands.
“Willow?” he asked a second time.
Willow opened her mouth to reply,
but only a squeak came out. She wouldn’t let herself ruin things so soon.
Instead, she nodded vigorously, face hot with a blush, until she found her
voice. “Yes. Amos Stoltzfus?”
His smile widened. “That’s me.”
* * *
GIVE AWAY!
Merry is giving a FREE copy of Willow - Bride of Pennsylvania away once the eBook is released. To enter, just leave a comment below telling us why you are looking forward to reading Willow's story and your email so I can contact you in the event that you win. Good Luck!
Merry Farmer is a bestselling, award-winning novelist who
lives in suburban Philadelphia with her two cats, Butterfly and Torpedo. She
has been writing since she was ten years old and realized one day that she
didn't have to wait for the teacher to assign a creative writing project to
write something. It was the best day of her life. She then went on to earn not
one but two degrees in History so that she would always have something to write
about. Her books have topped the Amazon and iBooks charts, and been named as
finalists in the prestigious RONE and Rom Com Reader’s Crown awards.
You may Pre-Order Willow - Bride of Pennsylvania on Amazon
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Thanks so much for inviting me over, Angela! It was a pleasure. =D
ReplyDeleteHappy to have you in, Merry! Creative Blessings!
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