Tuesday, October 13, 2020

AMISH CHRISTMAS MIRACLES Collection, an INTERVIEW with Mary Alford by Trixi Oberembt

Amish Christmas Miracles is a novella collection out on November 10
from some of your favorite Christian Authors! Preorder Today!
 
Reviewer Trixi Oberembt had a few questions for Mary!

Trixi: I really love collections like this with various authors and stories. Who first came up with the idea of "Amish Christmas Miracles"?

Mary Alford

Mary: First off, thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your blog today. I’m happy to be here.
The idea for Amish Christmas Miracles came from a joint effort between Rachel J. Good, Jennifer Beckstrand, and Jennifer Spredemann. These three ladies have worked tirelessly to organize this collection made up of some very talented Amish authors. We are all so excited for readers to read this collection and I truly hope the stories are enjoyed by all. I am blessed to be part of Amish Christmas Miracles.

Trixi Oberembt

Trixi: Was there any particular thing that sparked your story in this book?

Mary: I love writing about second chance romances. There’s just something about two people getting another chance at the love they thought was lost that reminds me of the forgiveness of God. No matter how many times we mess things up, God still loves us and welcomes us back.

Trixi: I know you've written for Love Inspired Suspense and have some independently published series books. What made you decide to also write Amish fiction? Can you also tell me what were some of your favorite things to learn about the Amish?

Mary: I’ve been a fan of Amish fiction for many years. I love the simple way of life focusing on faith and family that gets woven into each story. In this hectic world we live in, I think most of us wish we could slow things down a bit. Go back to a time when life was simpler. I know I do.

One of my favorite things about the Amish are their willingness to forgive even when they are hurt deeply. The biggest incident that comes to mind is the West Nickel Mines Amish school shooting in 2006. The grace and forgiveness they showed to the shooter was amazing.

Even though the world around them is focused on material things, the Amish live their lives with very little worldly possessions.

And some of my favorite recipes come from the Amish. Each year at the holidays, I use the Amish White Bread recipe to make rolls for the meal.
 
 
Trixi: Finally, when you aren't writing, what do you like to do for fun? Any hobbies or interests?

Mary: I love to read. Though I don’t have as much time as I would like, I love reading, and I read many different genres including Amish, Christian Suspense, Romantic Suspense as well as non-fiction books to name a few.
I play the piano. Although I am not very good at it, I find it immensely relaxing. I also dabble in crafting, and love to do Christmas crafts as they holiday approaches. I could literally fill my home with Christmas. It is a special time of the year.

About A Christmas Homecoming – My Amish Christmas Miracles Story:
A Sinner. A Saint. A Homecoming No One Expected!
 
Simon Lambright has plenty to be sorry for. A prideful mistake that almost destroyed three lives. A rebellious youth that led him away from his faith. A fatal decision that ended in his best friend’s death.
Simon spent most of his youth trying to prove he was the opposite of the obedient one his name conveyed. But this Christmas, after losing everything, Simon is determined to become the person his mamm and daed believed him to be.
 
With mistakes weighing heavily on his heart, can Simon overcome the past and the impression his former community still has of him, and be the man he was meant to be?
 
Widow Abigail Petersheim is embracing the future she hopes is waiting for her and her daughter Lyddie this holiday season when she returns to the tiny Amish community of St. Ignatius, Montana.
Everyone knows Abigail was a gut wife and mother, but no one knew of the nightmare she endured.
 
Now, after years of living with the secret, Abigail is ready to be free of the past and find the fresh start she so desires. When her cousin asks for her help at the family bakery in St. Ignatius, Abigail is convinced the job offer comes straight from Gott and will be the Christmas miracle she and Lyddie so desperately need. Yet nothing about her homecoming is as she envisioned, and the childhood farm she once cherished is about as broken as Abigail’s life.
 
Abigail enlists the help of her neighbor and carpenter Simon Lambright to repair her home, but soon discovers a friendship from long ago will turn into something worth cherishing. And the past that brought two wounded souls back to St. Ignatius, will become a homecoming neither expected.


Links to buy the book:
Amazon 
Barnes and Noble
Apple


USA Today Bestselling Author Mary Alford, loves giving her readers the un-expected, whether it be in a rugged mountain setting or a peaceful Amish community.

Her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestselling List, Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling List, and have been finalists in the Daphne Du Maurier award of excellence, The Beverly, The Maggie, and The Selah Awards.

Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Pinterest 
Bookbub
Or any social platforms listed at www.maryalford.net.

Thank you again for letting me join you today.
Blessings always,
Mary Alford

Amish Christmas Miracles Collection - BackCover Blurb:

Spend Christmas in Amish country.

As snow falls softly outside the window, curl up by the fire with this collection of 14 stories by your favorite Amish fiction authors. Let them transport you to Amish communities all across the country.

Travel to small towns where horses clip-clop down the road, farms dot the snow-covered landscape, and families gather to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.

Sigh over sweet stories that touch your heart. Laugh, cry, rejoice, and smile as couples renew their faith and find their perfect soul mates.

These heartwarming tales of faith, hope, love, and Christmas miracles are a special gift to you from Kathleen Fuller, Lenora Worth, Adina Senft, Laura Bradford, Jennifer Beckstrand, Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann, Rachel J. Good, Serena B. Miller, Mary Alford, Loree Lough, Dana R. Lynn, Susan Simpson, Tracy Fredrychowski, and Ashley Emma.

May you be richly blessed this holiday season!


 

2 comments:

  1. A big thanks to Trixi and Mary for a fun interview!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Debra & Mary for a fun blog post!! I've pre-ordered my copy of "Amish Christmas Miracles Collection". Can't wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete

Share This Post

How Our Giveaways Work: The Official Rules

We, the ladies of Inkwell Inspirations, would love to give free stuff to everybody. Since we can't, we will often have a giveaway in conjunction with a specific post. Unless otherwise stated, one winner will be drawn from comments left on that post between the date it was published and the end of the giveaway as determined in the post. Entries must be accompanied by a valid email address. This address is used only to contact the commenter in the event that he/she is the winner, and will not be sold, distributed, or used in any other fashion. The odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. NO PURCHASE, PLEDGE, OR DONATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Pinterest