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Happy Release Day for “A Quilt Room Secret” by Lisa Jones Baker!
From Barbour Publishing’s Heart of the Amish series, comes book #3 in the series, “A Quilt Room Secret“, by Lisa Jones Baker. This is the third book in the series in which my debut novel, “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise” is book #2. Book #1, in case you missed it, is “The Flower Quilter” by Mindy Steele.
This is a delightful book about two people who have been best friends . . . and maybe more? . . . all their lives. Except for that unfortunate period of time when one of them moved away.
“As they took turns pushing each other on the swing that hung from a large tree, the mature—for a five-year-old—Jacob Lantz asked Trini Sutter to marry him. The nine-year-old thoughtfully responded that she’d consider his proposal when they were older.
Nearly two decades later, the Amish farmer returns to the beautiful countryside of Arthur, Illinois, to take the independent owner of The Quilt Room up on her promise. Quiet, handsome Jacob is truly in love with the spirited list maker, and Trini finds herself falling in love with Jacob, but the youngest of eleven has big plans of her own.
Jacob’s long-held aspirations are put to the test when he learns that Trini has been holding a secret. He prays for a turnaround of events; however, when Trini moves away from her tight-knit community, he begins to realize that his dream of them being Mr. and Mrs. most likely won’t happen.
Will Trini forfeit her own well-laid plan for the man of her dreams?”Don’t miss out on this wonderful story by a wonderful story-teller!
You’ll find it wherever fine books are sold! Available now in print and e-edition.
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What’s Next in Amish Romance from Anne Blackburne?
It’s an exciting time to be me! After 35 years of trying to achieve my goal of becoming a published author, anyone who reads this blog knows my dream became reality in December.
“Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise” released on December 1. This is the second book in Barbour Publishing’s new Amish romance series, “The Heart of the Amish”, featuring three authors, of which I’m one!
What an honor to be included in a series that also includes well-known authors Mindy Steele and Lisa Jones Baker!
Mindy’s book, “The Flower Quilter” released first in September. And Lisa’s book releases officially February 1.
My second book in the series, “Mary’s Calico Hope“, which focuses on Mary Yoder, who was introduced in “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise“, will release on June 1.
Mindy’s second book, “Courting an Amish Bishop“, releases in April.
And my wonderful literary agent, Tamela, just told me I’ll be getting a contract for a third book in the series this week! I’m on Cloud Nine! That book is tentatively titled “Lizzie’s Little Mouse”, and features another character introduced in my first book. Lizzie has a little gray kitten she named Little Mouse. Her dream is to own a bakery; but not just any bakery – ever since she visited New Orleans, she has dreamed of opening up a French bakery in the heart of Ohio’s Amish country! This will be her story. I’m not sure when it will be released. More on that as I find out more!
In September, my first novella (a story that is longer than a short story, but shorter than a novel) releases from Barbour in a collection called, “A Lancaster Amish Christmas“. This book features four authors of Amish romance, and I am definitely the rookie of the group!
The other three authors are Amy Clipston, Amy Lillard, and Mindy Steele. I’m thrilled to be included in the collection with these three beloved authors of Amish romance.
My story is about Lucy, who is raising her tiny little sister, Millie. Their mother died in childbirth, and Lucy is determined to give Millie the very best life she can, despite some disapproval from people who don’t think a single woman should be raising a child by herself. More on this story as we get closer to the release date!
So that’s what’s next for me. I’m done with the first draft of my novella, tentatively titled “Christmas Sunbeam”. I’m proofreading and cutting words right now. Do you know what they call it when an author is over her word count and has to cut a lot of words from her document?
They call it killing your darlings! And it’s truly hard. But I’ll say this; I learned in the newspaper business that pretty much any time you edit down your word count, your story ends up being tighter and overall better for it. This book is due to the publisher on Valentine’s Day. And it’s a work of love, so that is quite appropriate!
If you haven’t read Ruth’s story yet, it’s available on Amazon.com, and wherever fine books are sold! If you have read it and loved it, please leave me a review on Amazon.com, Goodreads, Barbour.com, Barnes and Noble, Books a Million, or anywhere else you like. It doesn’t need to be long or complex. A simple, “I read it and I loved it!” will do the trick.
Thanks so much for being here!
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Newspaper Editor Moonlights as Amish Romance Author
By Lisa McDonald Loos
(Note: This article recently appeared in the newspaper I work for in SE Ohio. It was fun seeing a story about my book in my town’s weekly paper!)
I knew I was going to love “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise” based solely on the action in the first sentence of the book – an Amish woman is hanging laundry on a clothesline!
Amish clotheslines are a little obsession I have. I’ve taken a couple dozen photographs of them over the past decade on trips to Amish communities in Ohio and Pennsylvania. I would rather take clothesline pictures than shop! I enjoy seeing the colored dresses in contrast to the black pants waving on long lines that stretch from large farmhouses to larger barns.
One of my Amish clothesline photographs appears on the Anne Blackburne website, and also her Facebook page.
Laundry on a clothesline sets the scene for this Amish romance by your newspaper editor who has chosen to professionally write under the pseudonym Anne Blackburne. Blackburne is Anne’s middle name and her maternal grandmother’s maiden name.
The protagonist in the novel is Ruth, a childless widow with an entrepreneurial spirit. She meets a middle-aged basket maker Jonas, who is a single father.
An unexpected marriage proposal, lots of prayer, an adversary, and a blizzard provide some twists and turns through the book along with lots of fellowship, saving a family farm and naming felines.
A surprise for this reader is realization that a couple of the characters in the book are real-life friends of the author.
There’s another surprise at the end – an assortment of yummy recipes!
“Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise” is Anne’s debut novel. It is Book Two in Barbour Publishing’s new series, Heart of the Amish.
Barbour contracted with three authors for two books each.
The other two authors are Mindy Steele and Lisa Jones Baker, who have had several previous books published.
“I think it has helped me to be associated with other, already popular authors,” Anne said.
Anne’s second book in the series, “Mary’s Calico Hope,” will be published on June 1, 2024.
“I’ve always been a writer, going back to my elementary school days,” said Anne. “It was in my mid-20s that it occurred to me that I might be able to become a published author.”
Anne started writing a children’s book series about three 12-year-old girls who formed a pet-sitting business. She queried literary agents and found one in New York who was encouraging about the series. “But it wasn’t long before she got back to me with the unfortunate news that someone else had the same idea, and beat me to the publishers.”
Over the years, Anne said she came up with other ideas and wrote other manuscripts ranging from middle readers to mysteries to romances. She penned a satirical book called “Lying Letters to Aunt Louise” based on Christmas letters people send bragging about the accomplishments of their relatives. Anne said she had a blast writing it but it did not sell.
“I read that the average first-time, traditionally-published author spends 10,000 hours practicing their craft before getting that first sale. That would be about right for me,” she said.
So how did she finally get published?
A while ago, Anne entered a contest through the Romance Writers of America and won. The prize was the opportunity to work with a mentor – a professional, published author who helped her polish her manuscript over about a year’s time.
She also learned the ins and outs of querying and submitting to agents and publishers. It wasn’t long after Anne queried her manuscript that one of those agents signed her.
“This is really unusual. It can take months to hear back from an agent, just to get a rejection,” said Anne. “I was over the moon.”
Then, within a few months, Anne’s agent sold the book to Barbour Publishing.
All of those rejection letters finally added up to an acceptance. It took her about 35 years while raising five children to get that sale.
Anne said she may be more of a “pantser” than a “plotter” when writing. She’s a fast writer with a good idea of where a story is going when writing. She said it took her about three months to write “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise.”
“I enjoy discovering what happens to the characters along the way, rather than having every little point plotted out ahead of time,” she said.
Anne is currently working on a novella to be published in an anthology with three other authors this fall. The book is titled “A Lancaster Amish Christmas” and her story in the book is called “Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam.”
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Coming Soon: The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker
One of my sister authors in Barbour Publishing’s “Heart of the Amish” series, Lisa Jones Baker, is up next in the series with the February 1 release of “The Quilt Room Secret“.
Here’s a little taste of what to expect!
Trini Holds Secret Dreams for Her Future: As they took turns pushing each other on the swing that hung from a large tree, the mature–for a five-year-old–Jacob Lantz asked Trini Sutter to marry him. The nine-year-old thoughtfully responded that she’d consider his proposal when they were older. Nearly two decades later, the Amish farmer returns to the beautiful countryside of Arthur, Illinois, to take the independent owner of The Quilt Room up on her promise. Quiet, handsome Jacob is truly in love with the spirited list maker, and Trini finds herself falling in love with Jacob, but the youngest of eleven has big plans of her own. Jacob’s long-held aspirations are put to the test when he learns that Trini has been holding a secret. He prays for a turnaround of events; however, when Trini moves away from her tight-knit community, he begins to realize that his dream of them being Mr. and Mrs. most likely won’t happen. Will Trini forfeit her own well-laid plan for the man of her dreams?
Find out by reading this wonderful book by a seasoned writer of wonderful Amish romances!
Note: I loved this book, and think you will, too.
The Heart of the Amish Series Also Includes:
The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele
Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise by Anne Blackburne
Courting the Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele
Mary’s Calico Hope by Anne Blackburne -
All Things Come to an End: Celebrate Lit Virtual tour of Amish Romance, “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise” Final Day!
Today we say so long, farewell! to the wonderful people at CelebrateLit, who have worked hard to promote my debut novel this month. There are two remaining blog posts for you to read, and be sure to click on the links below for your final chance to enter to win a print copy of the book and a $25 Amazon e-gift card!
Check back soon to see who won!
First today is Wendy from the blog, “Life on Chickadee Lane”.
My Review: by Wendy from Life on Chickadee Lane:
“This is such a sweet, enjoyable story. Of course, any story including a cat is my kind of story. (My daughter would agree!) I enjoyed reading how Ruth and Jonas prayed about any decision which needed to be made. I look forward to reading Anne’s next book!
If you enjoy sweet stories set in an Amish community, you will want to read this one.
I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.“
Thanks, Wendy! (By the way, Wendy has a cool list of all the birds she has spotted on her blog. I love this!)
Next is Renee from the blog, “Little Home School on the Prairie.”
Here’s what Renee had to say!
My Review:
“Anne Blackburne is a new author who did an amazing job with her debut novel.
The main characters Ruth and Jonas have both lost their spouses. Jonas has a young daughter. Ruth isn’t able to have children.
It’s been only a year since Ruth lost her husband and she is trying her hardest to keep up with the farm by herself. The farm is dear to her as it has been in her family for generations. Life is about to get complicated for Ruth. Bishop Troyer visits her concerning her farm. He gives her two options. One is to sell the farm to one of the men in the community. Her farm has a lot of amenities that would be good for a family. The second option is to marry Bishop Troyer. The Bishop recognizes that he is much older than her and that it would be a marriage of convenience as they are both lonely. Ruth isn’t interested in selling or marrying for convenience. She wants to expand her business with her goat’s milk products.
Jonas has a four-year-old daughter. He starts helping Ruth with chores around her farm. He loves Ruth’s interaction with his daughter. Ruth is getting fond of both Jonas and his daughter.
The story is fun with the mischievous goats, a guard dog, and a kitten named Ginger Snap. The characters are well-developed and realistic. You can’t help to not find yourself immersed in their lives. The plot is well-developed and kept my attention to the last page. I look forward to more books from Anne Blackburne.
Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through Celebrate Lit Bloggers in exchange for my honest thoughts.“
Thanks, Renee!
Well, that’s it for this part of my writing journey. I sure appreciate all the help from the amazing folks at Celebrate Lit! Did you find a new blogger to follow? I know I did!
Merry Christmas, and thank you all for supporting my writing!
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Last Two Days of Celebrate Lit! Reviewing my new release Amish Romance, “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise”
Today and tomorrow I’ll list a couple of blog posts each day so you can optimize your chance of winning the giveaway!
Remember to click the links for each blogger for your chances to enter!
Here is what Holly has to say:
My Review: By Holly.
Click link above to enter giveaway!
I thought this was a cute story. I loved how cats were involved in helping Ruth and Jonas to get together. I liked how both Jonas and Ruth had lost spouses so they understood each other and I liked how they helped each other work through moving forward and finding love again. I liked some of the secondary characters and their matchmaking efforts. I thought the story was well written with lovable characters.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
Thanks, Holly!
Next up is Cheri, from her blog “Finding Jesus in the Everyday”
My Review of Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise
by Cheri of Finding Jesus in the Everyday
“This is a new author to me and I thoroughly enjoyed this story – beginning to end. What drew me to this book was the fact she raised goats. Reminded me of a great friend who loves stories about goats and it made reading the story that much more enjoyable. Great characters, I felt as though I was part of the community with Ruth. This story captured my attention and kept me reading. I didn’t have a chance to read the first book, but will be reading that one too. I hope there will be more in this series. I love this author’s style.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was under no obligation to review it. All opinions are mine.”
Finally today, let’s see what the blogger from “Because I Said So – And Other Adventures in Parenting” has to say! (She has an orange kitten too, and the same kind of dog as my protagonist, Ruth!)
https://becauseisaidsomyadventuresinparenting.blogspot.com/
My Thoughts
“Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise is written by Anne Blackburne. This is the first book that I have read by this author, and it will not be my last. This book is well written with an engaging storyline. This book is part of the Heart of the Amish Series, but can be read as a stand alone.
Ruth has worked hard to keep body and soul together since her husband, Levi’s, death. She tends her herd of goats, making her living from the milk and fiber she gets from them, all while running a farm and household by herself. She was never able to have kids – and when she meets fellow widower, Jonas Hershberger and his adorable daughter, her heart melts.
Can the two of them work together? What will happen when the bishop’s granddaughter sets her sights on Jonas?
Ruth is very relatable. She is determined and she had some similar things in her life that I have in mine. I love the orange kitten on the cover. I recently also have gotten an orange kitten, Grover. I loved the kitten throughout the story. She also has two Great Pyrenees that protect the goats, and I have one also.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book -all thoughts are my own.”
Thanks to you, Because I Said So!
Come back tomorrow for your last chance to enter the giveaway for a print copy of my book and a $25 Amazon e-gift card!
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Is it Christmas without a Christmas Tree?
If you read my post about battling the washing machine, you know I’m living in a bit of a construction zone. My goal – between editing my next book and preparing a proposal for a new one, oh, and working full time! – has been to have my house “back together” before Christmas, put up a tree and enjoy some peace and quiet!
Well, that hasn’t exactly happened. There are still a few “construction” items to cross off the list before we call it a job, and there are still unopened boxes of new furniture lying around waiting to be assembled.
Will it all get done by Monday? Doubtful. What if we don’t put up a Christmas tree this year?
Will it still be Christmas if we open our gifts without the usual trimmings?
Will our spirits be able to soar without the dazzle we’re accustomed to?
I say, yes! Christmas, as the Grinch found out, isn’t about boxes and bows and bling; it’s about the birth of Jesus. I hope we can put up a tree, but even if we don’t feel like it after painting and polishing and putting together furniture, Christmas will still come.
We’ll go to church, and sing with the congregation. We’ll sit down to a special family dinner together.
We’ll open some gifts, but the biggest gift will be that we’ll be together, celebrating this very important day.
So Merry Christmas, a few days early, from my house to yours. Whether or not you have the trimmings, Christmas will come. There’s no stopping it!
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“The Quintessential Sweet Amish Romance”
So says Celebrate Lit Blogger Erin from the blog “For Him and My Family” in her review of “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise.” In addition to being a popular blogger, Erin is a homeschooling mom of 12, and a homesteader, along with her husband and children. I enjoyed her take on my book! Thanks for taking the time, Erin.
Be sure to click through to her blog in the link below so you can enter to win a print copy of the book and a $25 Amazon e-gift card!
Erin’s Review:
My Thoughts on Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise
Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise is a fun debut novel for this author that is sweet and you’ll love reading it as well! This is the quintessential sweet Amish romance. You’ve got Ruth who is very independent which isn’t the norm for Amish women. But she’s a widow who is able to run her farm and her business on her own.
And then the bishop suggests she change. That someone else might benefit from her farm and her home. But Ruth isn’t ready to give up what she has.
Jonas is also a widow and has a successful business that he needs a larger space for. He also has a sweet and precocious daughter while Ruth never had children and just has her goats, dog, and new cat.
Can the two get to know each other and come up with a solution that will help them both? And what should they do with the interfering bishop?
Great novel from a debut author. I loved getting to know the characters. The book read quickly and I definitely would read it again or another book by this author.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
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CelebrateLit Blog Tour of “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise” Continues with a review by Gina Holder of StoriesbyGina
Today’s blog is actually an interview with me! I’m author Anne Blackburne, and this is my very first book, an Amish romance with a very Happy Ever After ending. Be sure to click through to Gina’s blog post, below, for a chance to win a print edition of my book, and a $25 Amazon e-gift card.
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger
INTERVIEW WITH ANNE
Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.
I’m a big nerd. I love hunting for beach glass, or interesting rocks and fossils. I’ve played Pokemon Go since it came out in 2016, even though my kids quit years ago. I write an original Sherlock Holmes mystery play every other year, and direct it as a tourism weekend in my home town. I’ve had both hips replaced; I’m bionic!
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Tenacious. Persistent. Stubborn.
What book is currently on your bedside table?
I have a number of books waiting on my Kindle. Right now I’m reading Amanda Flower’s Amish mystery, “Matchmaking can be Murder”, which is really fun. I recently finished Jennifer Beckstrand’s “Home on Huckleberry Hill”, which I loved! Next, I’m going to read Patricia John’s “A Boy’s Amish Christmas”, which is part of her Butternut Squash B&B Series. I love Kelly Miller’s stories, based on the books by Jane Austen. They’re wonderful! And I love Jane Austen; I always have one of her books on standby.
What has been your favorite part of the publishing journey?
Oh, my goodness, this is all so new and exciting! Each new thing that happens is a thrill. They offered me representation – a thrill! I signed my first contract – a thrill! They sold the large print rights – a thrill! I got a really good review from Publishers Weekly – a thrill! And the people I’ve met are all wonderful. Yes, I think the people I’m meeting on this journey are my favorite part. I’m a people person, and I love meeting the other authors, the readers, the folks at book stores, and libraries, and my agent, and all the amazing people at Barbour Publishing. You can’t exist in a vacuum!
Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?
My protagonist, Ruth, nearly dies in a blizzard! She is saved by a rope tied to her house, leading to the barn, the chicken coop and back to the house by Jonas. But she loses hold on the rope, and only by the grace of God does she find her way back.
Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?
I think Lydia Coblentz may be my favorite character. I’ve always enjoyed spending time with elderly people, especially women. My own parents and grandparents are gone, so I tend to “adopt” elderly women into my life. I plan for Lydia to appear in all my Willow Creek books, and she has exciting things ahead of her! She is the one who gives Ruth, and a number of other young Amish women, a kitten from her cat Hepzibah’s last litter. She is something of a surrogate grandmother to all of my characters. I think you’ll love her.
What were the highlight or key challenges you faced when writing this book?
Remember those three words I used to describe myself? Well, my writing journey spans nearly 30 years! I’ve written a number of books, and this is the first I sold. It’s such fun writing a book; I laugh and cry, by turns. And if I hadn’t refused to take no for an answer, I wouldn’t be here answering these questions today.
What is the key theme and/or message in the book?
Don’t give up on your dreams. Anything can happen if you let it!
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
I have a Facebook page, Anne Blackburne, and a website, AnneBlackburne.com. I’m just learning how to manage these things, and I try to post regularly. Please be patient!
Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?
Now that you ask . . . lol. Yes! My second book in The Heart of the Amish series will release in June. It’s about Mary Yoder (whom you’ll meet in Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise!). Mary is 29 years old, and was seriously injured in an accident as a child. She doesn’t let that stop her, though! She does feel that she probably won’t marry, and has made peace with that. Enter Dr. Reuben King, a Mennonite physician, and all that changes. They fall for each other; but how can they have a life, unless she gives up her community, or he gives up his career? You’ll have to wait and see!
I’m also working on a “Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam”, a novella set in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, about a young woman raising her little sister, who was born on Christmas day. This comes out at Christmas, 2024.
Thanks, Gina!
Be sure to come back tomorrow for more reviews from bloggers. The Celebrate Lit Virtual Tour of Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise ends in a couple days. But you’ve still got time to enter to win a book and e-gift card!
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Celebrate Lit Tour Continues!
Today, Cheryl from Cover Lovers Book Reviews, reviewed my book. I’ll post her review here, but be sure to click her link so you can enter to win a print copy of the book, and a $25 Amazon e-gift card.
Cheryl freely admits she is often drawn to a book by its cover – and aren’t we all? And she LOVES the cover of Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise! Hooray!
Here’s what Cheryl has to say about my book!
MY REVIEW: Cheryl from Cover Lover Book Reviews!
“Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise” by debut author Anne Blackburne is a sweet, heartwarming story with elements of love, resilience, and faith within an Amish community. The story revolves around Ruth and Jonas, both widowed and facing challenges in their lives.
Ruth is independent and resilient. As she strives to maintain her farm, she is determined to defy the community’s expectations. Jonas is running a business and raising his daughter, Abigail after his own loss. As they navigate grief, opportunities arise and lead them to solace and love in each other.
There is a balance of joy and sadness, so I appreciate the inclusion of humor and sentimentality. Most of all, I love the central themes of overcoming grief, finding love, and trusting in God’s plan in this story of second chances.First Line: “Just stop blowing for one minute and I’ll be done!” Ruth Helmuth spoke around a wooden clothespin clenched in her teeth, the wind nearly whipping the damp, snowy-white apron out of her hands as she secured it to the line.
Series: The Heart of the Amish book 2
Genre: Amish Romance
Author: Anne Blackburne
Page Count: 256#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
Opinions are 100% mine. Cover Like ❤❤❤❤
Thanks, Cheryl!
Amish Stories
