"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2



Monday, April 29, 2013

Guest Post by Author Amy Lillard and Katie's Choice Giveaway...






Hi everyone! This week I am pleased to welcome back my Seymour Agency sister, Amy Lillard, for a delightful guest post. 

Amy writes Amish Romance. Her second novel, Katie's Choice is set to release on May 1st. Take it away, Amy!!

Uniquely Amish by Amy Lillard
Writing Amish fiction requires a great deal of research. Somehow when I get to visit the Amish, I tend to get tongue-tied and forget every question that I want or need to ask. For those who know me well, quit laughing. I guess I get a little star struck. It’s the strangest thing. I once had a wonderful conversation with a famous comedian, but I can’t talk to the Amish woman at the bakery.
Needless to say, I spend a lot of time online researching the Amish on various sites. After all, I don’t have to speak to websites. In all my adventures online and even in person, I have collected a bit of information about Pennsylvania Dutch. If you’ve ever had the chance to listen to someone speak the language of the Amish, it has a fun and rhythmic tone that will make you smile. As with some of the expressions they use.

Here are a few of my favorites:
achey belly --stomach ache
Fernhoodle to confuse, perplex or puzzle-- "He speaks fernhoodled English.”
Hurrieder means to do something faster or to more quickly
wunst --one time, once
“You’re all strubly.” means you are disheveled, disordered, or unkempt.

            The Amish have also been known to say:
“Spread me all over with butter a piece of bread.”
“Eat yourself full.”
“Drink your mouth empty.”
“It’s gonna make down wet." means it’s going to rain.

            And the food! We all know about shoo-fly and snitz pie. But did you know dippy eggs are eggs cooked over-easy? Scrapple is pork and beef scraps mixed with corn meal and seasoning often times served with breakfast. And my personal favorite: Wedding nothings which are fried pastries sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar and reserved for weddings. But I want to know, if they are ‘nothing’ does that mean they are calorie free?
Yeah…I didn’t think so, but it was worth a try. So what’s your favorite ‘uniquely Amish’ phrase or food?

The Giveaway ~
Amy is giving away a Reader's Survival Pack which includes a copy of Katie's Choice, bag, chocolate, mug, bookmark, etc. 

Follow this Rafflecopter link so you can enter :

Now here's a little bit more about Amy...

I'm a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess.

Though I was born in Mississippi, I moved to Oklahoma (Boomer!) when I was in high school and met my soul mate and best friend not long after.  Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son--a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course! We have two funny cats and a very lazy beagle.

I have always been intrigued with the Amish culture, their gentle ways and slower-paced lifestyle. (And I love, love, love the fact that they stay married for their lifetime.) Until recently I never thought to blend this interest with my love for romance. Okay, okay, I'm a bit old-fashioned and even enjoy the gender roles that are present in this culture.  I love to cook and take care of my family. Yes, that's me June Cleaver with a laptop.

I love homemade tacos, shoes, and romance novels--not necessarily in that order. I'm a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I'm shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.

also love to hear from readers, so feel free to drop me a line: amylillard@hotmail.com or come visit me on the web: www.amywritesromance.com


Thanks for coming by, Amy! I really enjoyed your post. 

My favorite Amish food doesn't have a fancy unique name. It's just a baked apple crisp. It's a real Amish recipe that I got out of the newspaper many years ago. It came with an article written by an Amish woman. The apple crisp is so good, almost better than apple pie, and so easy to make in one pan. And it's definitely not calorie free! I make it a lot in the fall, on cool Saturday afternoons.


Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree

Monday, April 22, 2013

A Week of Rain and Work...



After a week of hard rain, the sun has come out. It always does, doesn't it? Spring is in the air. I feel it now. You can smell the earth. The tree buds are finally showing up here in Northern Indiana. Is spring showing itself bit by bit, or is it in it's full glory where you live?

Last week, I returned to work full time since my knee surgery. That's why I haven't been around much online. Anyway, it felt so wonderful to be back. Now, I have been adjusting to the new schedule, finding that happy place to write and work. I work days, take a few hours off for myself & hubby, make dinner, and do physical therapy three times a week, then I come home and write. It seems to be working so far. I get several good hours of writing in before I get tired. Ever have to adjust your writing schedule do to work or other obligations? Did you manage a happy place for both?

I would love to hear from you!

Don't forget...
Next Monday, April 29, Author Amy Lillard will return with a guest post here at Between you, me and the gatepost, so look for that!

Have a great week!

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree

Monday, April 15, 2013

Drawing on our own emotions…





One thing that I have learned on my writing journey is that I sometimes write by drawing on my own true emotions. I recently went through a season of pain – from physical, to loss, to rejection, heartbreak, to pain caused by persistent worry over a few life issues. This distressing winter would just never end!

The story I am currently writing seemed to benefit from all this pain that I was experiencing as a human—a human who also writes stories. My main character was going through some pretty hefty pain and sorrow—a pain I have not experienced in life. Both of us internalize our anguish, where it can fester. I found myself drawing from my own experiences and emotions while writing this story. I could feel her agony right down to the bone, as she could feel mine with each tap of the keyboard. We both benefited from my pain, but also from my faith. Clearly, the hand of God’s played a role, leading to a healing for both of us in “THE END”.

Do you draw on your own experiences or emotions when writing? Do you feel it tough to do? What about reading an emotional scene? Does it stick with you?

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree 


On April 29th, Author Amy Lillard with be back with us. She has her second book coming out, so look for that! Katie's Choice will be released on May 1st.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Interview with Author, Susan J. Reinhardt and giveaway!!






A trip to post-terrorized Washington, D.C. in 2025 and a buggy accident in Bird-in-Hand, PA set in motion events that expose a diabolical plan to destroy the Christian community. Ellie and John Zimmerman find themselves embroiled in a life-threatening investigation, fighting a shadowy enemy.

Convinced it's now safe to visit D.C., Ellie and her 8-year-old son, Peter, travel to the nation's capital. Both mother and child make an effort to enjoy the sights, but they're unprepared for the challenges they face. Her nightmares come true when she and Peter are separated.

Back home, John witnesses a neighbor's buggy accident. The suspicious circumstances and law enforcement's refusal to take them seriously prompt him to take on the role of detective. He and a tenacious reporter band together and vow to find out what's happening in Bird-in-Hand.

Extended family squabbles erupt when John's sister, Annaliese, faces off with Ellie for blowing her D.C. experiences out of proportion. She'd rather ignore the warnings than deal with the growing danger. 


Hi everyone! I’ve returned from my blog break, and it’s so good to be back. This week, as promised, I am interviewing a super author, and a real fine lady, Susan J. Reinhardt. Susan is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary. The Moses Conspiracy is Susan's debut novel. I’m excited to have her here this week!

Welcome Susan! So glad you could visit with us this week.

Thanks for having me on your blog this week, Loree!

To start off, how long have you been writing? Is this your first novel?

I've been writing for many years, but pursuing publication for only 10.  I started off as a non-fiction writer and have numerous publishing credits with devotionals, short articles, Sunday School take-home papers, and anthologies.

The Moses Conspiracy is my first novel.

Author Susan J. Reinhardt

What is the inspiration behind this book, Susan?

My late husband and I visited Gettysburg in December 2004. Surrounded by old buildings in the town square, I "heard" the voices of the forefathers. They were fading like distant echoes.

Attempts to write a non-fiction piece failed, and I put it aside. In August 2005, we were discussing "the Gettysburg experience" when my husband said, "That's it! That's your book, and you'll call it Ghosts of the Past and write it in 4 months."

At first, I thought he was crazy, but I caught the vision. The name changed to Echoes of the Past and later to The Moses Conspiracy. The first draft was finished in 4 months, but my fiction skills needed serious work. This process took 8 years with a 2-year hiatus to care for my husband after his leukemia diagnosis.

Most people know how much I love Gettysburg. There is so much history there. I love that  your “Gettysburg experience” is the inspiration behind the book! Now I must ask, is there a sequel or series planned?

I have a second manuscript with a working title of The Scent of Fear going through editing. The third book is mostly in my head.

They say that there is a bit of us in each of our characters. Which character is most like you, and why?

Without a doubt, Ellie Zimmerman is the most like me. I'm passionate about my relationship with the Lord, my family, and freedom. Ellie's emotions sometimes get the best of her, but she's a firm believer in "doing it afraid."

What do you like to read for enjoyment, Susan?

My tastes are somewhat eclectic and run the gamut from Christian Speculative Fiction to Historical Romance. I'm a big fan of Tamera Alexander, Cathy Gohlke, Kathi Macias, Sarah Sundin, Julie Klassen, Kristen Heitzmann, James L. Rubart, and the earlier works of Frank Peretti.

That's a great list! Okay, this is a required question - What’s your favorite sweet treat, Susan?

Chocolate Chip cookies and milk! Chocolate and I have been buddies from my earliest memory. Unfortunately, I can't eat very much due to lactose sensitivity.  I've branched out to other treats, but they'll never satisfy like chocolate.

Nothing beats chocolate! Susan, it’s been a real treat having you here! Thank you for dropping by!

Okay friends, Susan is giving away a copy of The Moses Conspiracy, and a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

To enter: Go to her website:  http://www.susanjreinhardt.com  
and look for the Rafflecopter to enter... 

OR follow this direct link to the Rafflecopter for The Moses Conspiracy Giveaway: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/deca9491/


The Giveaway

To celebrate the release of my debut novel, I'm inviting you to enter my giveaway.

One lucky winner will receive:

    *An ecopy of my book, The Moses Conspiracy, and....
    *A $25 Amazon Gift Card

Open to US addresses only. In order to be entered to win this
incredible prize package, jump on the Rafflecopter on my website or click the direct link above. But hurry,
the giveaway ends on April 19th. The winner will be announced on April 21, 2013.

You can find out more about Susan and her novel at her website: http://www.susanjreinhardt.com OR follow her on Twitter @susanjreinhardt OR stop by and "like" her new author facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSusanJReinhardt

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree