Please welcome my guest author Mary Ellis!
Mary, how do you find out so much about the people you write about-the Amish?
Answering that question is easy-I jump into my car and drive to where they live and work. With my pen, tablet and camera, I study them in the fields, at farmers’ markets, in bakeries and quilt shops, and watch their children at play at recess. (From a respectable distance, of course.) I ask questions when it’s feasible, or just observe when interviewing would be inappropriate.
But usually that’s where the “easy” part ends. For A Little Bit of Charm, I headed to Kentucky to research the Old Order Mennonites and Amish of Casey and Barren Counties. Generally, these people moved here from over-populated areas of Ohio or Pennsylvania. They came looking for cheaper, more plentiful farmland and found it. What does that mean for a wannabe researcher? I spent my third summer vacation in a remote area without cell phone service, or a single fast food restaurant for miles. If you go in search of horses-and-buggies and a slower pace of life, always remember to bring local maps. My GPS kept getting confused and shutting off. Luckily, I was able to stay at my friend’s house and commute back and forth, since there were no hotels or motels close by. Her grand-daughters came along to keep me company-very handy considering how often I was lost. The girls received a priceless education in the Plain culture that surpassed any textbook. And having them with me opened plenty of doors for this nosy writer. Who could resist answering the questions of three adorable little girls?
About Mary Ellis
Mary Ellis grew up near the Amish and fell in love with them. She has now written nine bestselling novels set in their communities. When not writing, she enjoys gardening, bicycling, and swimming. Before “retiring” to write full-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate. Living in Harmony, book one of this series won the 2012 Lime Award for Excellence in Amish Fiction. Book two, Love Comes to Paradise has been nominated for a 2013 Lime Award. She can be found on the web at her website, her Blog, or on Facebook.
Answer Mary’s question to enter to win a free copy of A Little Bit of Charm:
“Have you ever considered changing your faith because of a romantic relationship?”
Contest open to US and Canadian residents only. Winner has one week to respond. Please leave an email address or contact info in case you win!
Congratulations to Susan P., winner of the Laura Hilton Amish novel.
No, I never considered changing my faith for romance. I was fortunate enough to find my husband in the same faith as me. Been married 23 years!
Linda Ortiz
strgth4yu@hotmail.com
sometimes we’re lucky like that! my husband was Christian, but of a different denomination. We tried several churches until we found one we both liked!
There would be a lot of praying for the Lord to help me make that choice. But I have been married to a great man of my faith.
donna_mutlick@yahoo.com
thanks, Donna, I’m so glad you found each other!
I actually changed religious affiliation from one Christian Faith to another and have never regretted it. But only because I realized that for me that Denomination was “home”, it pointed the way to the Cross brighter, and supported the Biblical values deeper for me than my previous one. I did not change for my husband, I changed for God.
mandn@wisper-wireless.com
truly, that’s the only reason we should change!
no I never have. Would love to win. angelachesnut246@gmail.com
I have never faced this problem. I might change denominations, but my faith remains my faith.
well said, denominations mean little in the sight of God.
To enter, please leave an email address or contact info w/your comment. Thanks!
I have never had that problem . My honey is of like faith. I probably would of i loved him.
Blessings
joeym11@frontier.com
He sounds like a wonderful Husband, Diana!
No I didn’t. My husband had grown up Lutheran and I was Baptist. When we got married we found a church that fit both of our needs. srpaulsen3@gmail.com
that’s very similar to Ken and me. thanks so much for posting a comment!
I think that would have to be a choice that was looked into within the depths of my soul. Thank you for a chance to win. Terri Clark Terrilea@yahoo.com
Thank you for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Terri!
No, I have not ever considered that, but as a preteen, visiting Lancaster County often, I did so dream of falling in love with an Amish boy and changing my faith to his 😉
I wanted to marry an Amish man too, until I realized how hard those wives work from sunup to sundown! I’m glad I married my college sweetheart.
Thankfully I have never had to choose between faiths. When we got married my husband changed from Christian to Baptist and joined my church. So grateful for his decision to do that for me.
I love Mary Ellis books! Would love to win! Thanks for the contest.
God Bless.
donnac.taylor@hotmail.com
Good luck in the drawing, Donna!
Of course not, it’s just a book and I read the Bible for answers
Sounds like you’re on the right course! Please leave an email address or contact info to enter the free book giveaway. Thanks!
yes-but iam divorced now-not sure about marriage now!
Keep an open mind, Jackie. You never know what God has in store for you!
oh forgot my email!!morris.jackie49@yahoo.com thanks
Thanks, Jackie!
No, I have never changed for romance, but did change denominations after an abusive marriage. That didn’t change my faith or my relationship with Christ. Would love to win this book.
leliamae54@netscape.net
good luck in the drawing, Lucy!
No, when we got married we both knew neither of our faiths was the fit. Through a series of events the Lord led us to a new denomination that we both embraced and have grown in our individual relationships with the Lord and our marriage grew closer.
grammador at gmail dot com
Sounds like a wonderful marriage! Thanks for leaving your comment.
I would never change my faith that I have had since birth, for no one. I would love to win this book. I am having a full shoulder replacement, and would be nice to have this as my reading companion, while recuperating. Bgauthier49@live.com. Barbara.
I’ll say a prayer for your shoulder replacement, Barbara!
No…I would not ever change my faith. God is first in all things.godskid91@gmail.com
You’re trusting in the right One, Rita!
No unless it would be something very similar in belief!
Jennifer
JDB8420@aol.com
thanks for commenting!
No. I’d never change faith. Maria. Plainfancy4@yahoo.com
Thanks for your comment and for entering the contest!
Hi Mary,Just wanted to say hello and answer your question.I would never leave my faith ,Lord Willing for a romance.As a matter of fact ,I probably could have done just that.My god is everything to me and He gave His life for me that I could live and be saved.I would never betray Him.No human is worth losing my faith over.I do believe in romance and your book sounds sounds wonderful and I would truly like to win it and I hope I at least have a chance,but I also have to be honest.I am trusting the Lord to send me a Christian companion and I believe in his time it will happen.Have a blest day!
I hope the Lord brings the perfect mate your way, Linda. Trust in Him.
Hi Mary,please excuse my spelling and I also do know how to use capital letters,i should have edited it as ask,sorry.Linda Dianne Stowe
Thank you for writing, Linda! To enter the free book contest, we need an email address or contact information.
No, my husband and I both have a relationship with the Lord. That is who put us together. I would have if I had to for it would have been doing God’s will not ours. LeAnn Mooneyham angel4god(at)charter.net
Not enough marriages like yours, LeAnn! Thanks for your comment!
I would never consider changing my faith to suit others, including a potential mate.
cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for your comment and for entering the contest, Cindi!
No, I know in whom I believe!
For many, this is the biggest question of all, Linda. I lived the first half of my life walking in your shoes. You are not alone. If you wish to enter the giveaway please write back with an email address.
I must admit, there have been many times I’ve really thought it would be wonderful to not have the hurry of everyday life and so would love to be a part of the basically quiet and simple life of the Amish! I’ve been single for many years and if not for my children, I feel I would honestly pray very hard for God’s direction in this path!
May God bless you and your children!
No Mary, I would never change my faith for anyone. I go where I feel they stand strongly on GOD;d word. I enjoyed your guest Post today. I would so love to win your book. Thanks for a chance. I wish I could visit Amish country. The people seem so nice. Love their more quite kind of life. A slower pace, tho I realize they work very hard. I love the community attitude of loving and caring for everyone. Please put my name in. Thanks, Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
Thanks for leaving a comment and for entering the giveaway, Maxie!
When I was 19 years old I waivered. I thought all the time we were dating that he would change to my faith. I even got engaged. But when he insisted I start classes in his church to convert, I realized he wasn’t changing and I couldn’t change so we broke our engagement. Hard lesson to learn. donnaeharmon@yahoo.com
Sounds like a tough decision, Donna, and that you made the right choice. Thanks for leaving a comment at entering the book giveaway!
No, I haven’t. I have been a born-again Christian since the age of 11, and even though I haven’t always been the best Christian, I haven’t ever thought of changing faiths.
Debbie Rhoades
ReadingMama922@gmail.com
We don’t need to be perfect, Debbie, none of us are. He only expects us to keep trying.
Thankfully I married a wonderful Christian man of the same Baptist faith. We actually met at church and have been married for 38 wonderful years!
Thanks for the chance to win one of Mary Ellis’ great books!
rcourts@twc.com
always nice to see a comment from you, Tammy!
I did consider changing but we talked it over & I decided stay in mine . We have not been sorry all these 55 years .
55 years is a good testimony to making the right choice, Mary!
No I have never thought about it,I guess because my husband and I are the same faith.But if I had fallen in love with someone of different beliefs I would pray and seek God for guidance.jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com
Thanks for your comment, Jackie! Sounds like you and your husband were made for each other.
No. My husband and I are both Baptists.
Thanks, Lorraine!
Have never had to consider changing my faith for a romantic relationship. I believe I would never change my faith. My faith is in the Almighty God. However, I might, after much prayer & if God led, change to a different denomination that teaches the Bible & only the Bible (not other works written & added to what the Bible teaches), and with the same core beliefs.
Thanks for offering the contest for a copy of your book. I would love to win.
Mary E
mdegram218@centurylink.net
good luck in the drawing, Mary E!
I have never considered doing that. My husband and I are both Christians. I would not have married a non-Christian. We have been married 36 years.
blessings on your long marriage!
No. I Haven’t. I would really have to think hard on doing that. But sometimes love can make all the difference in the world as long as the belief is in the Lord by both of you.
Thanks, Juanita!
No, I haven’t had to consider changing my faith for a relationship. Luckily, my husband and I share the same views. We have been together for 24 years.
I love Mary Ellis’ books and would love to add this one to my collection.
jociadam@hotmail.com
Thanks for writing, Cynthia! And congratulations for 24 years. Good luck in the book giveaway.
Hi, Mary!
I love anything Amish & love touring Amish communities – I live in Ky. (born & raised here), but haven’t visited the communities you spoke off. So – I have a special interest in A Little Bit of Charm, & will be visiting those Amish communities here, for sure!
I know how easy it is to get lost, traveling those long country roads of the Amish communities – so will be sure to take someone with me on my next exploration, maps aren’t always that helpful to me.
I would never change my faith, unless it was to another Christian denomination that stated the same beliefs as my own.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of your book!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
good luck in the drawing, Bonnie! I hope you enjoy set in your beautiful state!
I might change denominations, but never my faith. God will always come first in my life! I love to read your books Mary!
Thanks for your comment, Sharyl! To enter to win a free book please leave an email address or contact info.
My peace of loving God will never change my faith. But, I did change my denomination from Christian Missionary Alliance to being a Baptist. Main reason when we moved to Madison Georgia…..no Alliance church in Madison. We joined Madison Baptist, and still loved the people of Madison Baptist. Now living in Monticello Georgia, we worship at Monticello Baptist and love it! My point, we can love God and worship Him no matter where we are! Looking forward to reading your new book. Blessings…..
We’re considering moving to GA upon retirement. thanks for commenting!
I did – and not for the better. I thought I’d change HIM — instead he changed me…and so began my prodigal years. I learned a LOT during that time…including to never compromise what you believe!
Susan Ferrell
susan828(at)hotmail(dot)com
What an amazing testimony you have, Susan. Thank you for commenting and entering the free book giveaway!
When I was in my teens I walked away from my own faith, religion and church, because I was in love. However the longer I stayed away from God and religion the harder my life was getting. I felt lost in the life I was leading with my young children. I divorced and returned to my faith and my life did a 360.
Joannah C.
auntiejomama@sbcglobal.net
Thank you for your compelling comment, Joannah!
No. Fortunately I never had to make that decision.
susanmsj@msn.com
Thanks for your comment and for entering the giveaway, Susan!
No I have never considered changing my religion for any reason.
Thank you. To enter the giveaway, please leave an email address for contact info.
No I would not consider changing my faith for any reason. Jesus is my reason for living. If they are not filled with the Holy Ghost baptized in Jesus Name I will not even considering dating them.The Bible says be ye not unequally yoke to unbelievers. Jesus is #1 in my life.
Wise words to live by, Marilyn! Thanks for leaving a comment.
Sorry forget to leave my email.
lovablemom1951@yahoo.com
I would never change my faith because of a romantic relationship.
However, that being said when I remarried, my husband was Catholic and I was not. We agreed to go to each other’s church service every other Sunday. We then switched to going to Mass on Saturday evenings and then my church on Sundays. (I did not go through any of the Catholic rituals, nor did I convert. I basically went for my husband.) Eventually my husband left the Catholic faith and attended my church full time. He made the decision under no pressure from me. He willingly did it. Bob passed away from a brain tumor in May of 2003, two days after our 8 year anniversary.
Blessings!
Judy B
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am so sorry about your loss! May the Lord comfort you in your grief!
No, I would not change my relationship with the Lord for anyone. The Lord’s been too good to me. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the giveaway. Please enter my name in the giveaway. Thank you!!
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the free book giveaway, Barbara!
I have never been faced with that decision but it would be an easy one. No.
homesteading[at]charter[dot]net
Thank you, Anne!
I didn’t have that decision in my life, but I would have to say very firmly, “no, I won’t do that”. My commitment is firmly entrenched in my life and it would not happen.
Thanks for leaving your comment, Sonja!