Stuff that Just Makes Me Feel GREAT!

You know how sometimes something happens that just makes you feel all happy and shiny? I had one of those things occur the other day.

It’s not a big deal, and I guess that’s what makes it stand out to me.

I was taking an online class, and after we finished the teacher asked me what I do for a living. I told him I run two weekly newspapers, and write Amish romance books.

He grinned and I thought, here it comes! The silly jokes about ‘bonnet rippers’, but instead, he wanted to know about my stories, and which book I would recommend he read first.

Now this is an older man, and I wouldn’t have taken him for a romance fan. I asked him if he reads a lot of romance and he admitted my book would be his first.

Oof! That’s a heavy responsibility, being the ambassador for an entire genre of books. I told him that if he wants a taste of masterful romance writing, he should first check out my favorite, Jane Austen.

I’m particularly fond of “Persuasion”, but “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility” are both also great places to start.

How do you top someone who has lasted centuries?

She’ll still be selling well long after my books are faded memories.

We signed off, and I expected that to be the end of it. Imagine my surprise and pleasure when, the next day, I received an email telling me he’d purchased my first book!

It made me so happy that he actually bought it. As to whether he’ll read it or enjoy it, we’ll see.

Who knows? Maybe I’ll convert him to the genre!

Have you read all my books? In order, the Heart of the Amish are:

“Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise”; “Mary’s Calico Hope”; “Lizzie’s Little Mouse”; “Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer”; and “Miriam’s Little Gentleman”.

My first (and to date only!) Harlequin Love Inspired book is “Feuding With the Amish Farmer”.

And my sweet novella, “Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam”, is part of the “Lancaster Amish Christmas” collection from Barbour Publishing. If you’re new to my work, I hope you’ll check these fun stories about strong women you’ll be sure to admire.

I often say that I write people I’d either like to know, or like to be.

Have a blessed day!