Author Interview and Giveaway: An Amish Miracle

An Amish Miracle 

About the Book:

Always Beautiful by Beth Wiseman

Becky Byler is eighteen and overweight. She is overwhelmed by the embarrassment she feels when comparing herself to other girls her age. Having lost all hope, she considers taking her own life. As she stands before rushing water, unable to swim, Becky begs God for a miracle. In just several months, Becky sees her prayers answered as food and temptation lose their hold over her. She’s finally pleased with how she looks, but does she like the person she has become? And has the man she has dreamed of been right beside her all along, loving her exactly as she is?

Always His Providence by Ruth Reid

Widow Rosa Hostetler has one month to pay her delinquent taxes before the county auctions her farm. She’s prepared to sell whatever is necessary to pay the lien, but she isn’t willing to request money from the community’s widow fund. She’s embarrassed and refuses to admit she needs help. Rosa depends on income from selling eggs, but when that income is threatened, only a miracle can help Rosa accept the kindness of a neighbor.

Always in My Heart by Mary Ellis

Hope Bowman believes God is punishing her for giving up her firstborn son when she was a teenager. She’s hidden this secret from her husband, who is thankful for their daughters but longs for a son. Hope prays desperately, but the son God sends her isn’t a new baby but the fifteen-year-old boy she gave up years ago.

Includes Reading Group Guide and Old-Order Amish Recipes

My Comments:
I was offered a review copy of this book, along with a giveaway copy.  Unfortunately I just haven't had much reading time lately, and just wasn't in the mood for Amish romance, so I passed on the offer.  I was asked if I'd be willing to give away a copy, even if I didn't want to read it myself, so I agreed.    I was also given the opportunity to publish the interview below.

Giveaway:  To win, simply leave me a comment telling me what you want most for Christmas this year.

Author Interview:
 1. What was your favorite part of working on this Amish novella collection?

Beth Wiseman – “This was my first time to work with Mary Ellis and Ruth Reid, and both of these ladies are so lovely! Second to that would be the themes. Who doesn't love a miracle? Miracles happen to those who believe! And I believe!”
Ruth Reid – “This was my first time to collaborate with other authors on a book. I really enjoyed working with Beth and Mary and I had fun writing their characters in my story.”
 Mary Ellis – “I loved brain-storming with Beth and Ruth! They were absolute delights to work with. And I loved where I wrote Always in my Heart. My husband and I rented an off-season condo on the beach in Georgia for a month. I wrote everyday in my beach chair (bundled up, of course) while watching the waves roll in. By the time he dragged me home, I was almost finished.”

2. Tell us a little bit about your story from An Amish Miracle.

Beth Wiseman – “An Amish Miracle. My story--Always Beautiful--follows Becky Byler on a journey of self-discovery. Becky's been overweight her entire life, and she has let that dictate the way she sees herself, and how she believes others see her. But when she becomes so depressed that she considers taking her life, she cries out to God for a miracle--to be thin and beautiful. God grants Becky the miracle she longs for, but as God has a way of doing--there is another miracle in play, and Becky must come to realize that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder and shouldn't be judged by outward appearances.”
Ruth Reid –“In Always His Provision, Rosa Hostetler is a young widow who is about to lose her farm for unpaid taxes. She desperately wants to believe in a miracle--and that's exactly what it will take--because she's too stubborn to accept money from the widow's fund. When Rosa's husband gave his life to save Adam Bontrager from a burning barn two years ago, Adam vowed to look after his best friend's widow. But it'll take a miracle for her to be able to forgive him and accept his help.”
Mary Ellis – “Hope Bowman believes God is punishing her for giving up her firstborn son when she was a teenager. She’s hidden this secret from her husband, who is thankful for their daughters but longs for a son. Hope prays desperately, but the son God sends her isn’t a new baby but the fifteen-year-old boy she gave up years ago.”

3. What do you hope readers will take away from your story?

Beth Wiseman – “People don't always see us the way we see ourselves, and vice versa. And at the end of the day, there really is only one true Beholder.”
Ruth Reid –“When Readers read, Always His Provision, I hope they will see that no matter what situation we find ourselves in (financial or deep hurts) God will provide for our needs. He is our provider.”
Mary Ellis – “I hope readers will realize that miracles really do happen in everyday lives. We must keep a close and personal relationship with God, and wait to see what wonderful things He has in store for us. Never stop praying for miracles in your own life.”