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An Answered Prayer
I pray a lot. Sometimes my prayers are answered in the way I hope they’ll be, but often they are not. But still I pray, talking to God as if he were a friend of mine, conversationally.
Know that old Garth Brooks song, “Thank God for Unanswered Prayers”? Well, I could give you some examples of times where I later realized that something I desperately wanted, and didn’t get, turned out for the best.
There are other examples where I prayed so very hard for something, and was denied. Why? Only god knows.
I don’t generally pray for frivolous things. When I reach out with a request, it’s generally something pretty important to me or someone else. But we have to realize that we are all God’s children, and sometimes prayer requests may come at cross-purposes.
If you’re praying to get that new job or promotion, it’s likely that someone else is, too. You can’t all get it, so only one person will feel that her prayers were answered. But what if they all are?
Sometimes the answer is no. It’s hard to accept, but there’s no choice, so on I go.
Harder to accept are ‘no’s’ that seem to make no sense. You pray for a child, or any loved one, to overcome an illness, and they die anyway.
Or you pray to find a job so you can feed and house your family, and no job suddenly appears to bail you out. Why? Only God knows.
But today I heard wonderful news – a young man who was told yesterday that he had metastatic pancreatic cancer – a terrible diagnosis – learned today that the diagnosis was wrong! He does have tumors in his body, but they are isolated, not metastatic, and not originating in the pancreas.
I prayed hard for this young man, in his 20s, newly married, to get a miracle, and I know a lot of other people were also praying for him. And he got that miracle!
Now he has a good chance to see old age.
Does this mean that God loves him more than the ones who don’t get a miracle? I don’t believe so. Does this mean that more people prayed for him and that’s why he got his miracle? I don’t believe so. For some reason, it isn’t this young man’s time yet.
So at a time when there’s a lot of hard news – and when are we ever in a time when there isn’t, really? – this is good news that I wanted to share.
I don’t know this young man. You probably don’t either. But you can feel a little bit better today knowing that out there somewhere in America is a young husband who learned today that he won’t be leaving his wife in the next couple of months.
Thank God!
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Book Review: Caring for the Amish Family
I give this book five stars. I really enjoyed it. No foolish misunderstandings. No cringworthy moments. Just good writing and good reading!
Caring for the Amish Family
By Amy ClipstonI loved this Older Adult Hero/Heroine Romance from Amy Clipston!
Regina Weaver is in danger of losing her house, but she doesn’t want anyone to know. She hasn’t even told her twins.
Everett Zook has a secret, too, about his daughter-in-law’s whereabouts. He has promised his son to keep the secret, against his better judgement.
Regina and Everett were attracted to one another as teens, but never knew the feelings were mutual. Each married happily and each was widowed. Both are doing well, though in truth, both are lonely for that special connection they lost with the deaths of their spouses. An adorable baby and a suave farm cat add to the appeal of this engaging love story.
Can Regina and Everett help solve each other’s problems even as love blooms anew? Well, it IS a love story. Just saying!
I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it, but my stated opinions are true and honest.
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Celebrate Lit Tour Continues:
Here’s an interview I gave Gina of the blog, “Stories by Gina” You can go to her blog page and click to enter to win a print copy of “Lizzie’s Little Mouse” and an Amazon.com gift card. She’s also doing a fun Mother’s Day scavenger hunt with a number of other Christian authors! Have fun, and Happy Mother’s Day to everyone!
Interview with Anne
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve written poems and stories since I was a child. But I first determined to become a published book author in my late 20s. It took me 35 years, but I finally achieved that goal. Never give up on your dreams!
How long does it take you to write a book?
It varies, but it’s getting quicker as I gain experience. I’d estimate I can have a first draft of a book done in 1-3 months, depending on the length of the book, and what else I have going on in my life. Then there are edits, revisions, etc. before a final draft is complete. I’ll often be working on my next book while working on edits from my editor on the previous one.
What is your real-life work schedule like?
I’m the managing editor of two weekly newspapers in SE Ohio, so I have a full-time day job. I also enjoy directing and acting in community theater productions, often musicals. My personal writing largely takes place evenings and weekends. When I’m working on a manuscript, I’m very disciplined, sitting down to write a targeted number of words each evening. This is usually between 1000 and 2000 words.
Have you ever experienced writer’s block, and how do you handle it?
Not really. Possibly because of my newspaper training, I can write about anything anytime. There’s no telling your editor at the paper, ‘sorry, I just couldn’t get into that story. I’ll try again tomorrow.’ You won’t need to because you’ll be looking for a new job tomorrow. Lol.
I do sometimes need a break from writing between projects to recharge. If time permits, I may rest my writing chops for between a week to a month. But when I’m in the middle of a project, if I’m not feeling it, I just keep going. If I don’t like what I wrote later, I can delete it. If I didn’t write anything, I’m nowhere. My advice? Write. And when you’re writing, don’t edit. Finish the scene or chapter, then go back and see if you like what you’ve done.
How many books have you written? Where can readers find out more? Do you have any projects coming up?
I combined three questions here. “Lizzie’s Little Mouse” is the third book I’ve written for The Heart of the Amish series from Barbour. The others, in case you missed them, are “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise” and “Mary’s Calico Hope”. I wrote a novella called “Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam” which was included in a collection called “A Lancaster Amish Christmas” that came out this past September. I’m currently working on my fourth Heart of the Amish book, “Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer”, which comes out next January! Readers can find me on Facebook at Anne Blackburne. My website is AnneBlackburne.com. Feel free to reach out to me through Facebook messenger if you’d like to receive my monthly newsletter!
BONUS QUESTION! What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
My children are all grown, so when I’m not working at the paper or on a book, my time is my own. I love spending it with friends and family, and I enjoy many different pursuits, including participating in community theater, reading all sorts of books, kayaking, swimming and yoga, singing in my church choir and enjoying coffee and donuts after church with friends, watching movies with my kids in the evening, and traveling. You’ve got to experience life to write about it.
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What did Celebrate Lit bloggers have to say about Lizzie’s story this week?
The Celebrate Lit tour for my new Heart of the Amish release, “Lizzie’s Little Mouse,” continues with several blog posts in the last couple of days. I’m a little behind, because I’m enjoying a few rainy days up on Kelley’s Island, in Lake Erie, working on my next book, “Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer”.
First on May 1, Debbie Curto from Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations said,
“I think this book would appeal to readers of mysteries even if they aren’t readers of Amish literature.”
Also on May 1, Carla from Carla’s Book Crush blogged about Lizzie’s story! Here’s what she has to say:
“This is definitely for readers who prefer a cozy, sweet read that’s well-paced but not overly emotional or suspenseful. Even though it’s Amish fiction, I think people who don’t typically read Amish fiction could still enjoy this…”
On May 2, two more Christian bloggers offered their opinions, along with chances for readers to win prizes.
First, Life on Chickadee Lane had lovely things to say about Lizzie’s story.
Don’t forget to click through for another chance to win prizes!
Also on May 2, Vickie Sluiter had some nice things to say about Lizzie’s story. Here’s an example that made me feel great!
“Lizzie’s Little Mouse is different than is typical for an Amish story, as it really is a cozy mystery. I enjoyed that aspect of it. While Blackburn kept me guessing, it wasn’t a nerve-wracking edge of the seat book.
Well developed characters make this story enjoyable. Lizzie is trying to make her dream come true. John is trying to help during all the mysterious trouble, without getting his heart involved. But can he? Will they remain friends, or ruin a life-long friendship? The secondary characters are equally as good and I would love to go have coffee and pastries with them all.”
So would I, Vicky!
Remember to visit all the blog posts through May 13 for a greater chance to win that Amazon gift card and a free print copy of my book!
See you soon with more from Celebrate Lit!
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“Lizzie’s Little Mouse” is on Tour with Celebrate Lit!
Now through May 13, you can see what Christian book bloggers think about my new release, “Lizzie’s Little Mouse,” the third of my Willow Creek Amish romances, part of The Heart of the Amish series from Barbour. And be sure to click on each blogger’s post for a chance to win prizes, including an Amazon gift card and a free copy of my book! Good luck!
Today’s post is from The Avid Reader: bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com
My thanks to this blogger for a lovely review!
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Jane Austen: Books, Movies, Music
Any Jane Austen fans out there? She’s one of my favorite authors; possibly my favorite. I wish she’d lived longer and written many more books. I’m sure she would have preferred that, too!
I have seen, if not every, then nearly every movie adaptation of all her books – and own most of them on DVD! I like to watch them over and over, year after year. Like visiting with old friends I know will never let me down.
I’m no purist. I enjoyed the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice with Keira Knightly enormously, whether her bangs and fashions were strictly period-correct or not. I do love the 1995 version with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth as well – possibly better. But they are very different movies. The mother in that version is delightfully awful! And oh, Mr. Collins!
Then there’s Sense & Sensibility; the 1995 film with Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant and the lovely Alan Rickman is a favorite, of course. Wonderful! But I also enjoyed the 2008 version starring Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield.Emma would drive me insane were she a real woman of my acquaintance, but she makes a terrific book character and film, so sure of herself as she makes a mess of everything. I very much enjoyed Gwyneth Paltrow’s performance. In researching this, I believe I’ve discovered several versions I haven’t seen yet! I’ll have to remedy that.
Northanger Abby doesn’t do much for me, nor, I’m afraid, does Mansfield Park. I’m willing to be persuaded, if you have another opinion on these two.
And speaking of persuading me, my favorite of Austen’s books is Persuasion. A second chance at romance classic. It’s never too late! What a wonderful message.
Which version is my favorite? Well, the 1971 version, starring Anne Firbank, is very sensible and well done, and I quite enjoyed it.
I also loved the 2007 version starring Rupert Penny Jones and Sally Hawkins – despite the very awkward kiss at the end! It’s beautifully done, and Anne’s sisters and father are so well portrayed!
And I won’t hear anyone put down the 2022 version starring Dakota Johnson, as it is simply delightful. I enjoy it when she “breaks the fourth wall”, speaking directly to the camera – to me! I enjoy the “color-blind” casting, too. Why not? Dakota’s Anne Elliot is very relatable. I believe she made me cry at least once. And the soundtrack! There’s a song called “Quietly Yours”, by an artist called Birdie, that is so achingly lovely that it transports me.
I enjoy listening to this, and other Austen soundtracks when I write. It blocks out the noise of my enthusiastic household without distracting me. Do you have a favorite soundtrack for writing? For homework? For housework? For exercising? What is it?
Another time I’ll talk about more music I enjoy in the background while I write. For now,
Happy listening, happy viewing, and happy reading! -
Come See Me in Holmes County this October!
You’re Invited to the Amish Readers Retreat!
I’ll be there along with at least nine other authors of Amish romance/Amish suspense/ and Amish cozy mysteries!
I’m thrilled to share something truly special with you—the Amish Readers Retreat: Books, Bakes, and Buggies, taking place this October 3rd & 4th in the stunning Amish countryside of Millersburg, Ohio. We’ve designed this day to celebrate YOU, our beloved readers, for your passionate support and love for the stories we create.
PLEASE NOTE: You will be responsible for securing your own accommodation. A list will be provided at registration as well as information on payment.
Deadline to Register is September 1
This retreat is all about celebrating you… our cherished reader community. It’s our way of saying thank you and providing an unforgettable experience tailored to your interests and love of reading.
We’re looking forward to spoiling you with a day filled with books, fellowship, and fun!
See the fliers for more information on this fresh event, and for a list of participating authors.
I hope to see you in October! My fellow authors and I can’t wait to spoil our readers! I even bought a brand new apron so I can be ready to serve you lunch! Guess what’s on it? Cats, of course!
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Engaging Tale of Love and Hope overcoming Fear and Dread!
I recently had the pleasure of meeting an author I’ve been chatting with via email for a while, Joanne Lehman, when I went to her book launch party in Kidron, Ohio, near Sugarcreek a few weeks ago. Joanne has previously published a novel and several award-winning books of her poetry, but “Leah’s Faith” is her first Amish romance.
Joanne’s publisher sent me a copy to review, and I was captivated from the beginning.
Leah, inflicted with serious and progressing scoliosis since childhood, has accepted the fact that as a young Amish woman facing a physical disability that makes it hard for her to carry a ‘normal’ workload, it is unlikely that she will marry and have a family. Her family loves her, but treats her differently from their other children, out of fear for her health. Her Amish faith lets her see the situation as being God’s will; but while she accepts her fate, she secretly wishes she could live a ‘normal’ life, with normal goals and dreams. Then hope arises unexpectedly in the form of spine surgeon who offers to help her at a huge discount. Has God sent her a way to achieve her dreams? Will she seize this opportunity? Will her family be able to afford the cost? When she is offered a summer position as a nanny to the doctor’s two adorable children, she finds the courage to take the first step, moving to Cleveland where she can more conveniently undergo the medical tests necessary to determine whether she is a good candidate for corrective surgery. And then she begins a correspondence with a boy she has been friends with since her school days, giving rise to a different kind of hope. With God’s help, and the love and support of family and friends, old and new, Leah faces her fears and embraces hope. Joanne Lehman’s new book, the first in a trilogy, was very engaging and well-researched. I look forward to the next installment in the series! (I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My opinions are my own, and uncoerced.)
If you’d like to meet Joanne in person and purchase a signed copy of her book, she’ll be at Kern’s Garden Center and Christian Bookstore’s spring open house and book signing from 10-4 on Saturday, April 12. Kerns is located near Akron. The address is 2438 Canton Rd, Akron, OH 44312. I’ll be there, too, with my new book, “Lizzie’s Little Mouse“, which releases officially Tuesday, April 1 – but I hear pre-orders are already arriving at peoples’ homes.
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Lizzie’s Little Mouse Releases April 1!
No Foolin’!
In just about a month, my third book in Barbour Publishing’s “Heart of the Amish” series, “Lizzie’s Little Mouse”, releases in print, audio book and ebook.
That means it will be available from Amazon on Kindle in just about two weeks, on March 15.
I just love this story, because Barbour let me put a little cozy mystery in it!
You may remember Elizabeth Miller, a good friend of Ruth and Mary from my first two books. She was one of the eight young, single Amish woman gifted with a kitten from their elderly friend Lydia’s cat’s last litter.
Elizabeth, or Lizzie, got a tiny gray kitten that reminded her of a little mouse. So she named the baby Petit Souris, which is French for Little Mouse.
Lizzie loves everything to do with New Orleans, and it’s been her goal since she was 15 and attended a wedding there to open her very own New Orleans style French bakery in Ohio’s Amish country.
Read her story to see how she pulls this off; and to find out who is trying to shut her down – from day one!
You’ll get to catch up with Ruth and Jonah from “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise”; Mary and Reuben and Abby from “Mary’s Calico Hope”; and you’ll see how the bishop and Lydia are doing. Is there something brewing between them?
Available now for pre-order wherever you purchase your fine Amish and Christian romances!
If you like my stories, please leave me a little review wherever you please; you don’t have to say a lot! It really helps authors to get lots of good reviews. (If you don’t like it, just walk away! Lol)
Thanks so much for being part of my writing journey!
Love,
Anne -
Introducing Little Mouse!
My newest plush indulgence!
If you’ve been following me during the year since I published my first story, “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise”, then you know that all my heroines have adorable kittens they got from their mutual friend Lydia.
I was joking with my daughter earlier that I’m really just using these stories for excuses to purchase plush kitties!
It’s possible. I do like plushies, and there’s a part of me that secretly thinks adults shouldn’t have many. Sure, I’ve got Jingles, the little teddy bear my grandmother Nina gave me when I was a baby, and Mr. Turtle, a very threadbare fellow dating back to my toddler years. Possibly one or two — or three — others.
The thing is, I really love them. I bought tons of stuffed animals for my kids when they were young. Museum gift shops were danger zones filled with expensive temptation. And have you ever seen a Folkmanis puppet? So realistic and adorable! Now they have Squishables, and Squishmallows…I want them all. But I generally resist, and buy them for others.
But when I published my first book, “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise” last year, I decided a stuffed orange kitten was just what I needed. After all, readers at author events and book signings love seeing him. I justified it as a smart business move. Heh heh.
Of course, when “Mary’s Calico Hope” released in June I had to have a calico kitty, too!
And then came the day I opened my dog’s Bark Box and found Miss Muffet waiting inside; a stuffed cinnamon roll who now has her own stuffed kayak!
I guess I may have a plushie problem. If I publish enough books, I’m going to need a bigger house.
But that’s a problem for future Anne. Today my newest plushie arrived. Meet Little Mouse! And look at her little donut! It’s perfect, since Little Mouse’s owner, Lizzie Miller, has a bakery. I can’t believe I found the perfect kitten.
You can meet Lizzie and Little Mouse for yourself when the book releases from Barbour on April 1.
And if you haven’t read “Ruth’s Gingersnap Surprise” or “Mary’s Calico Hope”, you have time to check those off of your ‘to read’ list before Lizzie’s story comes out. You’ll meet each of my book heroines in the previous books in my Willow Creek series, part of Barbour’s Heart of the Amish series!
I’m writing my fourth, “Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer”, now. It will release next winter.
My books are available on Amazon.com, from the publisher (often the cheapest price!) at Barbourbooks.com, Walmart.com, Target.com, and from Books-a-Million in person and online, some Barnes & Nobles in person, and online, and wherever you purchase quality Christian fiction!
Let’s not forget your public library, where you can borrow them for free!
I’m hoping to find one in a tiny library one day. I think when that happens, I’ll really have ‘arrived’!
Please leave a review for me wherever you like; a few words will suffice. And if you were to like me on Facebook, that would be a help, too. Have a wonderful, blessed day!
Anne Blackburne
Amish Stories