Please welcome author Laura V. Hilton, who has kindly agreed to answer questions and give away a copy of any of her books to one fortunate winner!
Laura, tell the readers about your new book.
Awakened Love
Katie Detweiler grew up Amish, never knowing she was adopted as an infant. Now an adult, her new job as cook at an Amish bed and breakfast doesn’t bring about the euphoria she hoped for. Just as she’s getting her menu perfected, the Englisch family and severely ill sister she never knew existed enter her life and strain her Amish relationships. Plus, Katie suddenly has two different men vying for her attention—one Amish, one Englisch—and she wonders if one of them could be the man of her dreams. But when her Englisch sister’s health worsens, Katie must find a way to balance her heart, her job, and her faith while risking her own life for the sister she never knew.
What’s the favorite part of your novel and why?
Katie is so innocent and naïve she takes everything at face value. So when she is faced with hearing words she never hears in her Amish life, she has no choice but to ask. It’s funny when she asks an Englisch man for meanings of words. Also, Abram going to talk to the bishop –after only knowing Katie a few days –is funny.
How do you pick your titles?
I don’t. Well, I have working titles, but so far the publishers have all changed my titles.
How long have you been writing and how did you first start?
I’ve been writing since I can remember. I loved reading, I loved writing. Professionally, I’ve been writing since 2010.
What’s your biggest challenge as an author?
Marketing! I can promote other authors all day long, but it is sooo hard to promote me or my books. I don’t know why. But that is definitely the biggest challenge.
What advice do you have for the new writer?
When I was learning the craft as a beginner one of my then critique partners – Vickie McDonough, before she was published! – told me that someone told her (I think it was Kathleen Y’Barbo, but it might have been Margaret Daley) to keep a button by your computer. And it stands for “Put your butt in the chair and write.” You aren’t going to learn unless you do. And also, read, read. read. Depending on your learning style, read writing books, other novels, anything!
What’s next on your agenda?
I’m currently writing the first book in the Amish of Jamesport series, releasing in April 2014. Tentatively titled “The Snow Globe.” I don’t know what the final title will be yet. But I will tell you that the tension will keep pages turning. And that it’s not your average Amish romance.
Can we get a taste of ‘Awakened Love?’
Sure —
____________________
“Are you ready for some baseball?” someone yelled.
Abram turned and took a couple steps before he glanced back. “Do you play baseball?”
If only she could say jah, she loved baseball. But that would be a lie.
“I’ve never played before,” she admitted.
That wasn’t exactly true either. In school, the more sports-savvy buwe would coach her, “Nein, don’t run yet, Katie, that’s a foul.” Or “Out!” Or even the rare “Run!” She’d only heard that once. But maybe baseball skills were something that improved with age. They couldn’t get much worse, for sure.
What could possibly go wrong?
“Baseball isn’t hard. I’ll coach you.” Abram smiled. “You’ll do fine.”
Right.
“I taught my little brothers. Come on. You’re on my team.” His grin widened and he jogged off to where they were getting ready to divide into teams. He leaned close to Micah and said something. After a moment, Katie followed. After all, everyone else was going over to play.
“Abram’s on my team, and he says he wants Katie,” Micah said.
Abram motioned with his head to come join him.
Wow, she wouldn’t be the last one picked?
“I want to see how you do. Let’s try a practice swing.” Abram handed her a bat. She swung it.
“Nein, you’re holding it wrong. Let me show you.” Abram stepped behind her.
She adjusted her hands a little. Silence. That must be right or he would’ve said something. His breath stirred her loose strands of hair, tickling the back of her neck. She swung the bat again and—crack—connected with something.
A moan came from behind her
.
“Ach,” someone said. “That’s bad.”
____________________
Excerpt from Awakened Love, by Laura Hilton
About Laura
Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools three of her children. Her two oldest children are homeschool graduates and are in college. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.
Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love. Surrendered Love and Awakened Love, releasing September 2013. A non-Amish book The Appalachian Ballad Quilt will release November 2014 from Abingdon Press. She is contracted for another three-book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport, releasing in April 2014, September 2014, and April 2015. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Laura is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with over a thousand book reviews published at various online review sites.
You find Laura online at Facebook: Author Laura V. Hilton, Blog: http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @Laura_V_Hilton
Leave a comment below to enter to win a copy of one of Laura V. Hilton’s books! Winner randomly chosen next Tuesday and announced the following day. Entrants must be USA residents only. Winner has one week to respond. PLEASE leave an email address with your comment so the winner can be contacted!
Congratulations to Judy B. who won a copy of When Love Dies by Judy Bodmer.
Love reading about the Amish.reminds me of the times I visited Lancaster County. Never won anything so would be thrilled if I did!
godskid91@gmail.com
Thank you for entering, Rita! Good luck in the contest!
Would love to read Laura’s books! Please enter me in the giveaway.
Linda Ortiz
strgth4yu@hotmail.com
Thank you for leaving a comment and entering the contest, Linda!
would love to win one of Laura’s books.
angelachesnut246(at)gmail(dot)com
You are entered! Good luck!
I love the excerpt from Amazing Love. From the excerpt and what you said about the story, it sounds like a really good book. I would love to win a copy.
susanmsj@msn.com
It does sound like a good book, Susan! I look forward to reading it.
mandn@wisper-wireless.com
Sounds wonderful! Congrats to the other book winner! 🙂
You are entered! Thanks for visiting my blog!
I loved hearing about how books are tweaked in the writing process. Thanks for sharing and the chance to win your book. Please enter me. lcenlow (at) sit-co (dot) net.
-Lindy Enlow
Thank you for leaving a comment! You are entered!
Love Amish books! Never read gets, but would love to start!read all of skates books, just waiting for the next one. This book really sounds good, please consider me:beehappy315@gmail.com. thanks!
Thank you, Belinda!
Love Amish reading!! I have a whole bookshelf full of nothing but Amish fiction!! Jdb8420 at aol dot com
Thanks for entering, Jennifer!
Love Amish books! I actually feel calmer and remember to slow down and enjoy my life more as I read.
I experience the same sense of tranquility as I read Amish novels, Martha. Thanks for entering!
Love reading about the Amish ,would love to add it to my collection.
donna_mutlick@yahoo.com
Thanks for visiting my blog! Good luck!
Would love to win a copy of Laura Hilton’s book. srpaulsen3@gmail.com
Good luck to you! Thanks for entering.
Have really enjoyed your books, Laura. Look forward to reading your next series.
Martha
josieringer(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for entering, Martha!
Thanks for the chance to enter the contest. Love reading Amish fiction. Would love to win. God Bless.
donnac.taylor@hotmail.com
Thank you for visiting my blog and entering, Donna!
Would love to win this Amish book. Am having a full shoulder replacement and it would be nice to have an Amish book to read, while recuperating. I love Amish books! Bgauthier49@live.com
I hope you recover from that shoulder surgery rapidly, with an Amish book in hand!
Would love to win. momtr3@yahoo.com
Thanks for entering, Bonnie!
Love reading Laura’s books and would love to win one. jlscott49 at roadrunner dot com
I’m sure this will be an outstanding book, Johnda! Thanks for entering!
An interesting plot. I’ve wanted to read something by Laura for a long time now. Maybe this is my chance.
This could be your chance, Judy!
Please enter me in the contest to win one of Laura’s books. Thanks so much.
~Cindi
cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com
You are entered, Cindi! Thanks for visiting my blog!
I love Amish fiction. Would love to win. Laura is a wonderful author. Please enter my name in the giveaway. Thank you!
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for entering, Barbara!
What a situation for Katie to be in. Would love to win this and read what Katie decides to do.
zrubek@cox.net
I could never have too many Amish novels to read! Thanks for entering the contest!
I love reading about the Amish. Thank you Katie for introducing us or me to a new author. Would love to read her book. LeAnn Mooneyham angel4god(at)charter.(net)
Thank you for entering, LeAnn! Good luck!
I haven’t had the chance to read any of her books, and would love the chance to win. Thanks for having the contest.
sweeps4us at gmail dot com
Thanks for entering, Tina!
Thanks so much for the chance to win this book!
Brittany McEuen
kbmceuen(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thank you for entering the contest, Brittany!
I also love all things Amish, especially fiction. This sounds like a wonderful book; congrat’s to the author for conquering breast cancer. I homeschooled my two daughters and now they homeschool.
Thanks for a chance to win this book.
Noreen
werhis3@gmail.com
You are leaving a wonderful legacy, Noreen! You must be very proud of your daughters.
I just finished (as in — minutes ago!) “Healing Love” and the first thing I saw when I got on the computer was the opportunity to win “Awakened Love.” I thoroughly enjoyed “Healing Love” and would love to read “Awakened Love.” djragno [at] hotmail [dot] com
What fun, you need a new book in a hurry! Good luck in the contest!
This sounds like a wonderful end of the summer read. Being adopted and loving to know and read about the Amish, I would truly love to have a chance to receive this gift.
oceanpearl@q.com
Sounds like this would be a great book for you. Thanks for entering the contest!
Awesome giveaway. Would love to win one of Laura’s books. Please accept my entry. Thank you
You are entered, Mary! Good luck!
It would make me very happy to win a copy of Laura’s book–always interested in reading books by new authors. I read almost all Amish books. Thank you! Jynhoffman@yahoo.com
Thank you for visiting my blog! Good luck in the contest!
Another adoption story. So ready to win it. Laura, I still don’t understand why the publishers always want to change the Titles. Seems it is only fair for the author to have that right. Guess will never understand. Thanks Kate for having Laura visit, and thank you both for the give-away. Please add my name. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com
Thanks, Maxie, for leaving a comment and for entering! Good luck!
Love to try to win this book. I have it on my list of books to read. Tammy Bernadt Jbernadt1@windstream.net
You are officially entered, Tammy!
Would love a chance to win. Thanks
Lisa
korell62@aol.com
Thanks for entering, Lisa!
Great interview! I like the “button” idea. Not a writer myself, but that might help me with getting things done for homeschooling my kids! 🙂
lattebooks at hotmail dot com
Thanks for your comment, Susan!
Sounds like another fantastic book by Laura V. Hilton!
Would so love to win this book!
I am such a book junkie!
CherylB1987@Hotmail.com
Can a woman have too many Amish novels? Thanks for entering the contest!
Great review,,,I would love to win this book.Thanks for the chance.jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com
Thank you for entering the contest, Jackie!
Thank you, fellow readers of Amish fiction for entering the giveaway! Special thanks to Laura V. Hilton for donating a book!
I’m always on the lookout for new authors I haven’t read. This is one I would enjoy reading. Thanks, M. Hall
Hall.mercy@gmail.com
Good luck and thank you for entering!
I would really love to win this book. It looks so good.
seraphinangel7@aol.com
Thanks for entering, Juanita!
I love reading Amish fiction and this one sounds really good, can’t wait! Angie Carroll- a_stonecipher@yahoo.com
Good luck, Angie!
Would love to win this book. I’m reading the second book Surrendered Love right now. Thank you for the chance to win.
Karen G.
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
Thank you for entering the contest!
Looking forward to reading this book. Love the Amish books. carroll32455@centurylink.net
Thanks for leaving a comment and entering!
I would love to be entered in win this book
bearangel0@yahoo.com
You are entered, Kathy!
I haven’t read any books in this series yet but they look really good. I want to get the series so if I’d win this it would help my pocketbook, lol!
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for entering, Wendy! Good luck!
It sounds like such an amazing book – and I have yet to win a book! 🙂 I hope I can win!
Mallory Fry
seagirl_98@hotmail.com
It does seem like your turn doesn’t it, Mallory? But the winner is chosen by random. Good luck!
i have the first two in series. waiting for yhis so i can read back to back
Sounds like fun reading! Without your email address, I won’t be able to reach you if you win.
Right away, I was interested in your book! I have never read a book by you, so I am interested in doing that VERY soon! I hope to win this book and welcome another writer in my home library! Thanks for this chance!
susanlulu@yahoo.com
Thank you for entering the contest!
i forgot to enter my email address. my entry is the one above ladydipap@yahoo.com
Okay, I have it now. Thanks!
I love reading about the Amish,I believe I have read a book or two of yours and would love to win.
lora_dietrich@yahoo.com
Thank you for entering the contest!
Hi, Laura!
Enjoyed your interview! I enjoy books on the Amish & touring their communities. I love the storyline for this book & would love to read it – thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
It does sound like an interesting story! Thank you for entering the contest!
Sound like a good book. Would love to read it.
To enter the contest, please leave an email address or contact information should you win. Thanks!
Enjoy Amish fiction very much. This book has many interesting sounding twists and turns. I just recently toured Amish country in Lanesboro, MN and it was amazing what a trusting people they are. Loved the experience and learned much from it. I suspect this book has many teaching moments, also.
This is such a lovely comment; I enjoyed reading it! Please write back and leave your email address so I can contact you should you win.
Hi Kate, Thanks for your very nice note, Here is my email: Sonja.nishimoto (at) gmail (dot) com