WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?

What book should you read next? What words should you write next? Whether you're a reader, a writer, or both, you need look no further for ideas and pointers to help you make up your mind. You might even get your next book for free!

Sometimes I even give away my own novels. My Inspirational romances and devotionals are pictured below and are detailed on my Books page. You can always count on a trace of humor in my novels and nonfiction. Whether you're a teen or a woman mature in years, I think these stories will ring true.

Read on, and discover some of today's most appealing Inspirational novelists, their latest books, and their words of wisdom and imagination. Enjoy!

Monday, October 2, 2017

Laura Hilton and Free Books!

His lions were coming out of the darkness. Would God shut their mouths?

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the e-copy of These Healing Hills, by Ann Gabhart, is:

quilting-lady@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. 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! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Laura Hilton, author of the Amish contemporary romance, Christmas Admirer (Whitaker House, September 2017).

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write and Putting on the New.

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.

When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter. Her favorite holiday is Christmas.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Christmas Admirer.

Benaiah Troyer has loved Susanna King for as long as he can remember, but other than a lone summer filled with romantic buggy rides, marrying her remains an elusive dream. When his parents died in an accident a year ago, he broke up with her—for her own good. After all, they left him as the sole caregiver for his three younger sisters and his grandparents. What woman wants to step into a ready-made family like his? Still, he leaves her monthly gifts from “A Secret Admirer,” hoping she’ll know that someone loves her, even though he isn’t free to step forward.

Susanna has never gotten over losing Benaiah, and hopes he’s her secret admirer, but now the clock is ticking. Susanna’s father is remarrying in January and his wife-to-be doesn’t want to leave her Amish community and family in Iowa. So when Susanna’s daed sells his glass-blowing business to his right-hand man, Benaiah, she’s left with three options: 1) Go with Daed to his new home with a new frau and step-kinner, 2) Flush out her mysterious secret admirer, or 3) Resign herself to life as an old maid. She doesn’t want to follow Daed where his new frau is leading him. And number three isn’t happening. Marrying Benaiah is her greatest desire—but he broke her heart, and now he treats her like a pesky younger sister. Can she make him see her as a woman, one who could stand by his side as he cares for his family?

As Christmas approaches, Susanna and her friends start making gingerbread houses for select members of the community. Susanna plans for hers to go to Benaiah’s family. But while her gingerbread may find a home—will her heart?

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

Susanna’s life is falling apart when her father announces he’s getting remarried, selling her home and moving to another state – with a woman who has ten children and clearly doesn’t want Susanna tagging along. Only her secret admirer can save her. But he’s too busy battling his own “lions”.

What’s a news story from the last year or so that you think would make a good basis for a novel?

Amish moved in to the Sault Ste. Marie area.

I wasn't even aware there was a sizable Amish population in Michigan and Ontario, but apparently Michigan is home to the sixth largest Amish population. I do see articles about an influx of Amish to that area last year. Write it, Laura!

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

Over Maya Dead Body, by Sandra Orchard. It’s a cozy mystery that kept me guessing and held my interest.

What are you working on now?

I have another Amish story contracted called Firestorm and yes, there’s a volunteer firefighter and a wildfire involved.

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Where else can readers find you online?

Visit my blogs: lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com and lauravhilton.blogspot.com
twitter: @Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook
Pinterest

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

Have you ever had a secret admirer? Whether you did or didn’t, what type of gifts do you think he would bring?

Thank you, Laura, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Laura has offered to give away a signed copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to Laura's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. Many commenters are left out of the drawing because they forget to include a way for me to notify them of their win (their email).

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

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, a new email newsletter for Christian book deals in whatever genres you select. You can subscribe here: ChristianBookHeaven

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, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE


17 comments:

Melanie Backus said...

In elementary school a classmate liked me and gave me stuffed animals. Young love! mauback55 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I've never had a secret admirer that I know of, but I think I would have been happy with any gift...especially if it was chocolate.
lhanberry1 at gmail dot com

Lori said...

I follow by email. This sounds like a wonderful story. I never had a secret admirer that I am aware of. Hmm what gifts? well back when, I would have liked flowers, chocolates an occasional piece of jewelry. When I met my husband he really didn't give gifts. And that was ok. I fell head over heels and just being with him was more than a gift. 34 years later it still is.
quilting(dash)lady(at)Comcast(dot)net

Beverly Duell-Moore said...

I can't wait to read this book!
duellonlysis(at)aol.(com)

Lisa marker said...

I received a carnation once from a secret admirer and never did find out who it was
lisamarker123@gmail.com

annie said...

Long ago and across the mountain decades of my life, I had a young boy, who used to leave me notes, and hide around corners watching for me to come down the school isle. That went on awhile. When he finally got his nerve up,he did start coming around the neighborhood playing after school. That went on awhile. Hadn’t thought of that in many years. I think I was on the forth or fifth grade, I do know he was two years younger than me.

Anonymous said...

Thank You, Melanie. I had a stuffed animal admirer too. :) How fun. Thanks for entering.

Thanks for stopping, Lori and thanberry

How fun, Annie. Glad you had a smile.

Thank you, Beverly. I hope you love it.

Thank you Lisa. Flowers are always nice.

Trish Perry said...

I love the innocence of the stuffed-animal courtship.

When I was in my early 20s, I had a secret admirer call me--he clearly knew me but played coy about his identity for too long. It actually felt a bit creepy, lol. So much for innocence or romance!

Anonymous said...

No I have never had a secret admirer.

kris-win{at}mynamehasbeenstolen.com

Diana Montgomery said...

Yes and the one liked sending Teddy Bears. Now when I was in grade school it was checkers. He bring me a checker each day at our playtime. Which I kindly give back cause i didn't like him. My biggest admirer is my husband. I love when he gifts me with surprise flowers or a walk on the beach.

Blessings
Diana
joeym11@frontier.com

Anonymous said...

I have never had a secret admirer but if I did they would give me anything chocolate!
I am an e mail subscriber
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann

Trixi said...

I had a secret admirer in High School (who became my boyfriend later). He communicated with me through his friend...lol! Not sure if it was because he was shy or what. At first, I didn't want anything to do with him (we were only 15) and wasn't sure what to think. Then I became intrigued after a while because he wasn't giving up, so I decided to give him a chance to at least get to know each other. I was shocked the day he asked me to go with him (as in date) that I went home that afternoon and told my parents. I don't remember their exact reaction but I know they allowed me to make up my own mind about it and supported me. I was never allowed to go on a date by myself with him until I was a bit older, but I was fine with that. I don't remember the gifts he gave me sadly, but I'm sure they were special.

Thank you for the chance to win a copy of Laura's book "Christmas Admirer", it sounds like something I would very much enjoy reading!

teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
I am also a subscriber Trish!

Sue said...

I don't remember a secret admirer. But books, flowers, cards, chocolate would have always been a good choice. When dating over 40 years ago my husband always gave me lots of cards, which I loved. suhligford at gmail dot com.

Kay Garrett said...

I've never had a secret admirer but if I did I would hope that they would consider my likes and dislikes and do or give what would be pleasing to me and not just something like flowers or candy.

I would very much love to read CHRISTMAS ADMIRER. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
2clowns at arkansas dot net

Anonymous said...

I don't remember ever having a secret admirer. But would have been interesting to see what kind of I might have gooten if I'd had one. Thanks for a chance to win Christmas Admirer.

Juanita Cook

seraphinangel7(at)aol(dot)com

Connie Lee said...

I've never had a secret admirer that I know of. If I did, I think they would give me simple gifts, like flowers, candy, or something they knew I really liked. lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net

Donamae Kutska said...

Books would be awesome for me!I never had a secret admirer. Donamaekutska7@gmail.com

 

HOME | MEET TRISH | BOOKS | CONTACT | LINKS

Content Copyright Trish Perry | Graphic Design and Layout Eagle Designs