Last year, when our new member to Colonial American
Christian Writers, Kelly Long, told me she was writing an Amish Colonial series,
I was thrilled! I was the only one in
the group writing about characters who had emigrated from that part of Europe.
Plus with the interest in the Amish, I really hoped and prayed that when this
book came out we’d also have an increased interest in colonial American
books. I have had the pleasure of
listening to five of Kelly’s eight books/novellas. She is an amazing
author.
I am looking forward to reading Arms of Love (Publisher - Thomas Nelson, 2012) when it becomes available
for purchase on April 3rd.
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Kelly,
what got you interested in the colonial time period?
It was truly because I felt there was a missing
piece in our cultural perceptions of the Amish—their past. I wanted to look at
their flight from Europe to their beginnings in Lancaster County, America. At
the turn of the eighteenth century, there were only 500-1200 Amish in America.
What
inspired your latest colonial work?
This latest work, Arms of Love, was inspired by a desire to explore Amish beginnings
as well as to pay tribute to those who suffer from PTSD, a disorder which has
ravaged two of my loved ones. And, I wanted the chance to do a Novel Bible
Study…a four week study at the back of the book which uses the novel as a
launching off point to discuss Biblical application in everyday lives.
Do
you have a favorite colonial place you like to visit and why?
Two of my children were born in New Hampshire…I’d
like to go back there for a bit for the memories.
Kelly,
do you have a favorite colonial recipe you enjoy?
I can share an Amish recipe… Readers, you can find a Whoopie pie cookie recipe from Kelly this
coming Saturday on CQ!
Get
connected:
Kelly
Long can be found on Facebook (Fans of Kelly Long) or Twitter (KellyLongAmish)
or blogging on Fridays at Amishhearts.com or Amishliving.com.
Giveaway: Kelly Long books can be purchased at CBD and other book sellers. Kelly will be giving away a signed copy of
Arms of Love!
That's so intriguing Kelly. I'd never thought much about the Amish's past. They would not have appeared so different in the 18th century from the people around them (or so I surmise), so what made them decide to advance so far with culture and then at some point stop? How early did they create their set apart community? What were the thoughts and struggles of those early Amish that led them to do this? Or were they already of that mindset back in Europe? You don't have to answer these questions now if there be spoilers, but does your book explore some of them?
ReplyDeleteHey Lori,
DeleteYes, the book deals with all of these great questions! The Amish were vastly different in some ways than they are today but their core faith remains the same! Thank you for such thoughtful questions and lase read!
Kelly Long
Very interesting interview, and Lori posed some interesting questions. It seems as though they would not have appeared so much different, since there was no electricity, cars, etc., anyway at that time. Alot of it must have been their pacifist and different religious beliefs, manner of dress, and separation from the rest of society and communal living, would be my guess. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!
ReplyDeletedianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com
Hi Diana,
DeleteYes, you're so right...it was the Revolutionary War yet the Amish will not bear arms...only th beginning of the differences...
Thanks!
Kelly Long
Thanks for this interview-I can't wait to read Arms of Love! I've always thought there should be some historical Amish fiction, so I'm excited Kelly is tackling that.
ReplyDelete(You don't need to enter me for the giveaway, as I already won a copy on OTT.) :)
Yay! I'm so glad you thought there should be some of this...it was tough to craft!
DeleteThanks,
Kelly Long
Kelly, I can't wait to see what a Whoopie Pie Cookie is! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePlease don't enter me in the giveaway as I just got a copy of this wonderful sounding book!
ReplyDeleteI just found out that this book is out up here in the far north! LOL. Called my Christian bookstore and had them put one aside for me. Hoping to pick it up on Wednesday. Lori posted all the questions that have intrigued me too. Can't wait to get the answers!
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly--
ReplyDeleteThis story sounds great--a creative twist on the colonial period. I picture them much like William Penn's Quakers--in dress and some of their beliefs. Makes me want to see what their lives were like even before this period. Thanks for this interview--and please add me for the giveaway. Thanks!
OHMYGOODNESSGRACIOUS - Thomas Nelson has sent me Arms of Love via NetGalley, yay!!! I am off to read Kelly's new book RIGHT NOW!!!
ReplyDeleteDitto what Faye said!
DeleteLucky you Carrie, you will be snug as a bug settled down with a good book like this one, I enjoyed reading the comments and hearing Kelly tell how she decided to write this type of book with the amish. I like reading about the years past and how folks managed in tough times, I would like to be in your drawing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
Paula, I was headed there, and then my crit partner called. Then sweetie boy had to be put to bed. Then I needed to post reminders for this on FB, lol. So now I am heading back to bed and to my Kindle!!!
DeleteThank you for the interesting Interview, I would love to win your Book, I love reading about the Amish and the History of them would be so awesome.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com
THanks, Ingrid! It was great to research and to write!
DeleteKelly Long
I love the fresh new Amish/Colonial view, with Arms of Love. Sounds amazing! Lovely interview.
ReplyDeletecrazi.swans at gmail dot com
Hey Faye,
DeleteI really liked the new take on it too!
Kelly Long
I would love to read this book.I love Kelly's books.Great article.Thanks...Jackie Tessnair...jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI have read and loved kelly's books. Would love an opportunity to read this one.
ReplyDeletelighthouse(dot)lover(at)gmail(dot)com
I would Love to win Kelly's book Arms of Love
ReplyDeleteslc925@yahoo.com
Would love to read this book. This sounds like an interesting and different Amish fiction. Will put this on my book wish list but hope to win one.
ReplyDeleteKaren Gervais
kmgervais@nycap.rr.com
Hi Karen...Hope you win!
DeleteKelly Long
Interesting! I guess I never thought about when the Amish immigrated here... looking forward to reading about it!
ReplyDeletetwinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com
Kelly emailed me early on in this project and told me she'd been thinking about that. I wondered, too. Have started reading the book!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWoops...accidentally deleted my first comment!
ReplyDeleteSo intriguing! I've never thought about a story that told the past of the Amish. Please enter me in the giveaway and thank you for the opportunity to win!
Beth
bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com
Hi Beth...Thank you for reading in advance!
DeleteKelly Long
Thank you for this giveaway! It sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteks4readin@yahoo.com
BETH, congratulations! You are the WINNER of Kelly Long's wonderful new Amish colonial book. Check your email!
ReplyDelete