Mary Ellis and Free Books!

A new home, a new friend, and a catastrophe…does she have a future to hope for?

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of In the Shadow of Sinai, by Carole Towriss, is:

scaramouche9999@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing address, and we'll get your book to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Commenters get an additional entry in the drawing.

Now let's revisit with novelist Mary Ellis, author of Loves Comes to Paradise (Harvest House, February 2013).

Mary Ellis grew up near the Amish and fell in love with them. She has now written nine bestselling novels set in their communities.

When not writing, she enjoys gardening, bicycling, and swimming. Before "retiring" to write full-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate.

Living in Harmony, book one of her current series won the Lime Award for Excellence in Amish Fiction. Her debut Christian book, A Widow's Hope, was a finalist for the 2010 ACFW Carols.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I eat popcorn and chocolate for breakfast.

--I love to sleep with my head under the covers when it’s cold.

--I’m a terrible winter driver. I’ve been in more ditches than five average women put together.

--I can’t stop making up stories in my head.

--I always check out purses and shoes. I love purses especially.

Breakfast of champions, huh? Sounds delish to me.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Love Comes to Paradise.

In Love Comes to Paradise Nora King is a woman in love. When Elam Detweiler leaves the ultraconservative Amish district of Harmony, Maine, and moves to Paradise, Missouri, Nora boldly follows soon after. But is she in love with the man or the independence and freethinking he represents?

Though she soon finds work she enjoys and a new best friend Nora can’t decide whether she wants to capture Elam’s heart or commit finally to her Amish faith.

Then, unexpectedly, Lewis Miller comes from Harmony to offer Nora what every woman hopes for—a lifetime of unconditional love. As Lewis attempts to claim her affections, Elam’s interest piques. Suddenly, Nora is irresistible to him.

Wooed by two such different men, will Nora come to her senses before Elam’s thoughtless choices ruin her reputation beyond repair? Will Lewis’s pursuit survive the challenge?

What is it about Nora that will make your readers care about her?

Nora is torn between two choices—a difficult spot most of us have been in at one time or another. Whether it’s romantic attachments, different career paths or where to live, each decision means we leave something…or someone behind.

I like the emotional danger you've injected in your plot line. Great conflict.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

I would pick Emma Stone (from The Help) to play Nora.




And Johnny Lee Miller to play Elam Detweiler.





What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I just read Doc, by Mary Doria Russell, about Doc Holliday. I love historical fiction.

What are you working on now?

I’m finishing book 3 of the New Beginnings series, A Little Bit of Charm.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.maryellis.net
Blog: www.maryeellis.wordpress.com
Facebook

The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:




CBD.com


Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

What decision did you have to make that changed your life?

Thanks, Mary, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Mary has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, January 28. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Mary's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Murray Pura, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of the book.

And see my post about an exciting new cell phone plan I started using in 2012. I'm thrilled with it--unlimited talk, text, and data for $49/month, with no contract. Send me an email through the "Email Trish" button, above, if you'd like me to send you a link to learn more about the phone plan and the income opportunity it presents.

Finally, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.