Category Archives: Books

December 6, 2012 · 6:00 am

Accidentally Amish– The Author’s Traditions and a Giveaway!

Every so often I have the privilege of being asked to read books for author friends.

The privilege comes when I get to read a book I really enjoy and then I get to tell others about it.

This time, I want to sing the praises of author Olivia Newport and her new novel, Accidentally Amish.

I used to read Amish fiction, years ago, but I sort of got away from it because I fell into the belief of “you’ve read one, you’ve read ’em all.” At least that’s how it seemed to me.

But then I saw a copy of the cover of Olivia’s book, and I was intrigued. A novel about a woman who somehow ends up “Accidentally Amish.” Interesting.

Plus, I’d already had the pleasure of reading her previous release, The Pursuit of Lucy Banning, so I knew that I enjoyed her writing.

When I got my hands on Accidentally Amish, I was thrilled! It was just what I thought it was going to be– a novel set in contemporary times about a regular woman (Annie) in a contemporary job (software creator) who somehow gets mixed up with the Amish (namely, a handsome Amish man!).

Sounds intriguing, yes?

Oh yes, it was that and SO much more. The story grabbed me from the first page. But here’s the coolest part– and I was unprepared for this– the book jumps back and forth in time, following one Amish family line from the time they came to America to present day, and how it wraps into Annie’s story.

As a history lover, I devoured the historical parts of this novel and found them fascinating. Definitely some of my favorite chapters.

So, in short, this book is for everyone– contemporary romance readers, Amish fiction readers, and historical readers. Basically, everyone on your Christmas list.

And there’s more good news– Accidentally Amish is the first in a new series from Olivia, called the Valley of Choice, so we’ll get to enjoy a continuation of Olivia’s focus on the Amish in today’s America.

Fun Christmas Giveaway– See below for your chance to win a copy of Accidentally Amish from Olivia Newport!!

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I asked Olivia if she’d be willing to answer some fun holiday-themed questions, and she sweetly obliged. (Seriously, people, Olivia Newport is such a funny, kind, quick-witted person. I’m lucky to count her among my author friends!)

You can learn so much about someone from their holiday traditions, so enjoy learning a little about Olivia and some of my responses to her traditions.

1. What is your favorite Christmas song/carol and your least favorite?

Olivia: I’m a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas music. I love the carols from the hymnal. “Once in Royal David’s City” is a certain favorite. Least? That would be “Jingle Bell Rock.”

Jennifer: I didn’t think it was possible that there was a Christmas carol I haven’t heard, but I’m not sure I’m familiar with “Once in Royal David’s City.” I’m going to have to rectify that ASAP.

2. What is your favorite holiday treat?

Olivia: That’s a tough one. Over Thanksgiving I was introduced to white chocolate lemon truffles. I may have to learn to make those.

Jennifer: Yummy. Send me the recipe.

3. Favorite holiday movie?

Olivia: It’s a Wonderful Life. I’m a sucker for James Stewart.

Jennifer: I think that movie is a Christmas-viewing requirement.

4. Which ornament on your tree holds the most special meaning for you and why?

Olivia: Does a set of ornaments count? Years ago I cross-stitched a set of symbols of Christmas in gold thread on white fabric—a star, a stable, an angel, a lamb, and so on. Then I set them in little round gold frames. When I bring them out, I’m always surprised at how many I did in one year!

Jennifer: My mom has some ornaments like that on her tree! She taught me to cross-stitch when I was a kid, but I haven’t done it in years. I’m impressed with your ornament-making talents.

5. White lights or colored?

Olivia: White, as of last year when the ancient blinking colored ones gave out.

Jennifer: White are so classic. Always beautiful.

6. Open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Olivia: I’m the one who tries to persuade my adult children that we could exchange gifts on Christmas Eve and all sleep in the next day. They refuse. Will. Not. Budge.

Jennifer: I’m a Christmas morning traditionalist, too. 🙂

7. What three items are on your “grown up Christmas list”?

Olivia: I would love some cozy winter boots, a fleece-lined corduroy shirt, and a new computer monitor. (I may or may not have been looking at catalogs lately.)

Jennifer: Seems like you have your list all set. I hope you’ve written your letter to Santa!

8. Do you do holiday baking? If so, what do you usually make?

Olivia: Not much of a baker at any time of the year. My oven is too old and cranky to cooperate, for one thing. But a family tradition is chocolate covered shortbread squares.

Jennifer: I’m gonna need that recipe, too.

9. What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

Olivia: It’s a recurring one, actually. We always went to a late Christmas Eve service as a family, and I still remember the wondrous sensation of coming home past midnight knowing it was Christmas! I’ve tried to give my own children that same memory.

Jennifer: That is a very cool memory. I think those sorts of traditions are neat, and what makes each family special.

10. Do you spend as much time on the wrapping as on the gift?

Olivia: Nope. Not even close. I do try to have a variety of papers so that gifts look cheery under the tree.

Jennifer: I’m with you on this one. Why spend tons of money on something that gets trashed as soon as the gift is opened?

**You can connect with Olivia via her website, or follow her on Twitter.

If you’d like to win a copy of Olivia Newport’s Accidentally Amish, leave a comment below answering one of the same holiday questions I asked Olivia. You’ll want to read this book yourself, but it also makes a great Christmas gift!! Good luck! Winner will be announced next week, so check those posts!

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Filed under Books

Tagged as Accidentally Amish, christian fiction, Christmas, giveaway, Olivia Newport, writing

September 3, 2012 · 8:53 am

You Might Be A Christian Atheist If…

As many of you know, I’m a big fan of studying theology and religions, especially my own, Christianity.

As a born-again believer in Christ, I consider myself a disciple who struggles daily to be more Christ-like.

A while back, I was browsing in the Christian bookstore when I came across a book that caught my eye–

The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel

Believing in God but Living Like He Doesn’t Exist

I added it to be TBR list, excited because I thought, Finally! Maybe this book will help me understand why so many of the people I know are in church on Sunday morning, but are making choices that are so contrary to Biblical teachings every other moment of the week.

With promos from authors and theologians like Francis Chan, Andy Stanley and Dave Ramsey, among others, I was really thinking that this book was going to support my right to be angry and frustrated with some of the people in my life.

When I got the book, I dove in, expecting to be fist pumping in agreement with Groeschel’s assessment of why so many acknowledge God but live like he doesn’t exist.

But instead of fist pumping and nodding along in agreement, ladies and gents, I sat in stunned silence as my eyes moved over the pages–convicted.

Convicted.

I realized that I, too, am a Christian Atheist.

Are you a Christian Atheist, believing in God, but living like he doesn’t exist?

A Christian Atheist is someone who believes in God, but doesn’t really know him. A Christian Atheist is someone who believes in God, but isn’t sure He loves you. A Christian Atheist is someone who:

Believes in God but not in prayer
Believes in God but doesn’t think He’s fair
Believes in God but won’t forgive
Believes in God but doesn’t think He can change you
Believes in God but still worries all the time** (This one really, really hit me hard)
Believes in God but pursues happiness at any cost
Believes in God but trusts more in money
Believes in God but doesn’t share his or her faith
Believes in God but not in His church

This book has really opened my eyes to my own Christian Atheism.

I’m going to dedicate a few blog posts to some of the points that have brought me pause. I have no doubt that they’ll speak to you, too.

If you are looking for a good read, check out this book. You won’t be sorry.

Share with me: Which of those points above about Christian Atheists interests you the most?

8 Comments

Filed under Books, The Christian Walk

Tagged as books, Christian Atheism, Craig Groeschel, Jesus

May 9, 2012 · 6:00 am

Do You Know Katie Ganshert? And A Chance to Win!!

Ladies and gents, let me introduce to you my St End, Katie Ganshert. (I’m Be Fri, she’s St End– get it?)

I.love.this.gal. That being said, I feel like everyone needs to know her and love her as much as I do, and one easy way you can do that is by celebrating the release of her debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter.

Katie and I met via Twitter, believe it or not. After discovering that we’re pretty sure we were separated at birth somehow, we’ve been devoted long-distance friends. We were finally able to meet face to face at the ACFW conference last year, and decided that it’s probably a good thing God has us living far apart, because if we lived in the same town, neither one of us would ever accomplish anything because we’d be getting into too much trouble together. Plus her flat, midwestern accent would never work down South, and I’d sound like I hick if I moved up her way. 🙂

Long-distance or not, she’s one of my favorite people on the planet.

Me and KG at the ACFW Conference

Here’s a little info on my friend:

Katie Ganshert was born and raised in the Midwest, where she writes stories about finding faith and falling in love. When she’s not busy plotting her next novel, she enjoys watching movies with her husband, playing make-believe with her wild-child of a son, and chatting with her girlfriends over bagels. She and her husband are in the process of adopting from the Congo. You can find her online at her blog and on Facebook.

And now for the reason we’re celebrating–Katie’s novel!

Wildflowers from Winter

A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built a life far removed from her trailer park teen years. Until an interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa. Determined to pay her respects while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan.

Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years. So when Bethany is left the land, he must fight her decisions to realize his dreams. But even as he disagrees with Bethany’s vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away.

For Bethany, making peace with her past and the God of her childhood doesn’t seem like the path to freedom. Is letting go the only way to new life, love and a peace she’s not even sure exists?

Okay, I know you want to read it. And you should. It’s a beautiful story eloquently written. It made me laugh, it made me cry. It’s that good.

I thought you might like to know a little more about its author, so I asked her a few questions. Perhaps you think you know Mrs. Ganshert? These aren’t the same old, same old interview questions, so check out her unique responses. 😉

About the book:

1. What was your inspiration for this story?

Late one night, while nursing my son, the voice of this 12 year old girl came into my head and would not leave. So I sat down and wrote the prologue without having any sort of story to go with it. At the same time, I was thinking a lot about my best friend growing up. We lost touch in college. And I found myself wondering what, if anything, would bring us back together again. I knew I wanted to tell a story that explored the bonds of friendship, so I squished that idea together with my prologue and voila!

2. What was the first scene you developed in your mind?

Interestingly enough, the first scene I developed in my mind (besides the prologue….which isn’t really a scene), is one that isn’t in the book. I envisioned this scene where this woman was in Walgreens, perusing the sympathy cards, not at all sure which one to get for a woman who used to be her best friend but is no longer in her life.

3. Without giving anything away, what is your personal favorite scene in the story?

Oooo! That’s such a fun question! Probably the scene where Bethany and Evan are sitting by the creek at night in the snow, and they have this really touching conversation. It’s sort of their first civil moment and it was very fun to write.

4. Which of the characters you created is most like you?

Definitely Robin. Faith isn’t generally a struggle for me like it is for Bethany. I gave my life easily to Christ, just like Robin did so many years ago. It’s hard to see in the book, since Robin is experiencing so much grief, but when she’s not grieving, Robin is an outgoing, warm personality, whereas Bethany is much more reserved.

5. If you could release a soundtrack for the book, what songs would be on it? (Give me at least 5 or so).

Five songs! That’s hard. Let’s see. Beautiful Things, by Gungor. Blessings, by Laura Story. Oh sheesh….I’m totally stumped after two. How’s that for awesome?

About you:

1. What’s your favorite romance book, movie, and TV show?

Favorite romantic book is definitely Mark of the Lion [Francine Rivers] (the first two in the trilogy). Marcus and Hadassah’s relationship made me all swoony. It was perfect. I reread those two books at least once a year. But recently I read Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins and holy buckets! It was amazing. Totally in the running. Movie would have to be Pride and Prejudice (it’s hard to choose between the Colin Firth version and the Keira Knightly version). And show…do you even have to ask? Vampire Diaries! Although I did love me some Pam and Jim, season 2 style, from The Office.

2. If you could only listen to three artists/bands for the rest of your life, who would you choose?

I’d be set! Can you tell that I totally am not a music-girl. I love listening to music on the radio. Love, love, love. But I so don’t know the name of the singers. Half the time I don’t know the names of the songs either. Hmmm…I’d probably pick Adele, Hillsong United, and Phil Wickham, maybe. He has a few songs I’d hate to never be able to listen to again.

3. What’s your favorite meal?

Fried pickles for an appetizer, this buffalo chicken wrap I order every time we go to The River House in Moline, followed by some Coldstone Creamery. Yum, yum, yum.

4. What’s the most romantic date your hubby has ever taken you on? OR What is the most romantic thing your hubby does for you?

The most romantic thing he does for me is rub my back when I’m writing. Not all the time. But enough. Especially when I’m stressed out. I get this perpetual knot in my left shoulder and he’s great at rubbing it out. He also does the laundry and the cleaning and the grocery shopping when I’m a deadline. How much more romantic can you get?

5. What is your earliest memory?

Earliest memory would probably be sitting on the fence at my daycare provider’s house. I had to have been four or so. I was swinging my legs, watching my older brother play two hand touch football, when I fell off the fence and split open my head. I remember this because I had a crush on my day care provider’s son at the time and he scooped me up and carried me inside. I had to get five stitches.

6. If you could live anywhere in the world for a 5 year stint (not permanent), where would you choose & why?

Ireland. Just to listen to those amazing accents for five years. I don’t even like beer, yet I would choose Ireland.

7. When money is no object (I said when, not if), what’s the first thing you’ll do for your spouse?

Ha! Okay, I’ll go with it….I shall buy a private jet and fly him around the world, feeding him lots and lots of delicious cuisine, pouring him all kinds of wonderful imported beer (unlike me, my hubby really likes beer).

8. What one skill or talent do you wish you had and why?

I wish I could sing. Like, really really sing. I wish I could open my mouth and belt it like Aretha. I’ve always thought that would be amazing. Sadly, I am incredibly tone deaf.

9. If you could design your own house from scratch, what would be the three most important things you’d include?

Lots and lots of storage space. A mud room that has a door I can close. And an office with an inspiring view.

10. If your life had a theme song right now, what would it be and why?

Oh, I totally know this one! Insane in the Membrane by Cypress Hill. Hello nineties! Why? Because life is so insanely busy right now that I often feel insane in the membrane.

Lol! Insane In The Membrane? Now you have at least a little bit of an understanding of why I love this chick. We share an affinity for The Vampire Diaries, Adele, and fried pickles, among other things. (Seriously, Katie, are you sure you aren’t Southern?)

Are you ready to read her book, Wildflowers from Winter? Awesome!! You can get your own copy by clicking on the link or get one for free because we’re giving away a copy to ONE lucky winner!!!

You can enter to win a copy of Wildflower from Winter by leaving a comment below. One commenter will be chosen at random to win a copy of Katie’s book. The contest is open through Tuesday May 15, 2012, and the winner will be announced via my post on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012.

Good luck!