Release Day!

December 26, 2017January 13, 2022 | Amy

I’m so excited to announce that Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper is now available! I’m doubly excited because this is my first Amish mystery that is not part of a publisher’s series! And I’m thrilled to be introducing you (well, some of you) to Kishacoquillas Valley , PA. If you’ve never heard of Kish Valley, you can check out some pictures I took on my visit there. (See Amy’s PHOTOS) It may be the most beautiful Amish community I have ever visited. It’s like a postcard.

And if you have heard about the Valley, you can find out more about Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper below.

Content to be unmarried and plain-spoken, Kathryn “Kappy” King is an odd-woman-out in the Amish community of Blue Sky, Pennsylvania. But she’s skilled at making the special kapps local women need to cover their hair. And she might be the only one who can unearth the danger hiding in this peaceful valley . . .

When Kappy’s neighbor, Ruth Peachey, turns up dead in her yard, everyone in Blue Sky believes it’s a tragic accident. Until the Englisch police find the gentle dog breeder was deliberately struck down—and arrest her mentally-challenged son, Jimmy, for the crime . . .

Jimmy’s sister, Edie, returns to Blue Sky clear his name, yet no one will speak to a shunned former Amish woman, much less give her information. Determined to help, Kappy starts digging for the truth among her seemingly-innocent neighbors. But suddenly a series of suspicious “accidents” threatens Edie and the Peachey farm—property Edie is determined to protect for her brother’s future.

Now, as danger looms large in the small community, Kappy must bait a trap for a killer snapping hard at her heels. And Edie must decide whether to make a home once more in the town she thought she’d left behind . . .

And as always, thanks for reading!

Be sure to come back and visit. Coming soon, I’ll be giving away autographed copies of Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper. But more on that later…

Until then, spread JOY!

Let’s talk about THE AMISH

September 3, 2017September 2, 2017 | Amy

So many times I hear people say and see them post on social media about THE AMISH.

Now the reason this post is here instead on my www.AmysAmishAdventures.com page is because it’s not about the Amish. Any of them.

See when people say THE AMISH it is all-encompassing statement. It’s like saying THE OKIES or THE CAUCASIANS. Can you think of anything you can say after this that would be a completely true statement? I can’t.

The more I learn about the Amish the better I understand how much there is to still know. I consider myself learned where the Plain people are concerned, but I am by no means an expert. And honestly, I don’t believe anyone can be. (Sorry to those who consider themselves experts. There are definitely some who know more than others.) Yet even Sadie, my Amish friend, sometimes can’t answer my questions about THE AMISH. And she’s Amish!

Why?

I have Amish friends who live side by side yet are in different church districts. There has to be a cut off somewhere. These friends are actually siblings. Yet, one is allowed to have solar power and the other isn’t. And this isn’t the only difference. Never mind settlements that are separated by states, different living conditions, and social interaction.

So many times I see readers say “if a book has a mistake in it concerning THE AMISH, I put it down and won’t read anything by that author again.”

How unfair to the author and the reader both! Especially since the author may be correct and the reader misinformed.

The Amish in Wells Landing (Chouteau) use tractors. I have seen Amish girls in Lancaster play with commercially made dolls, with faces! The Amish I met in Tennessee dress all their children in ‘dresses’ until they are potty-trained. I could never imagine Sadie or any of my other Lancaster friends doing this.

I have read true news stories where Amish have been in trouble for fighting, cutting the beards off their neighbors, and have even gotten divorces. This isn’t the norm, but it happens, at least according to Google and MSNBC.

Recently I wrote about tolerance and values. Today I’m writing about tolerance and understanding.

I love to visit the Amish. I love to research Amish settlements, even if I don’t have plans to set book a book there. Why? Because I want to know more about different Amish communities. I want to come back and share with you what I learned, what I saw, and the people I met.

I research the settlements where I want to set books. Sometimes this research occurs before the outlines are even written. Then I come back home, start writing, and have questions I can’t answer despite my efforts.

It’s extremely difficult to research the Amish. Even more so Amish settlements like Pontotoc, MS, and Ethridge, TN. Lancaster is a different matter. Still difficult, but at least they are not as wary of strangers.

Another concept I find interesting is the popularity of Amish proverbs. But that may need to wait until another day.

What about you? Have you found what you thought was a mistake in a story? Did you finish reading it? Or do you read for the story and don’t concern yourself with minute details? Please be as positive and uplifting as possible! If you can’t, then please don’t mention any names or clues that might damage a reader’s opinion of an author. Remember one man’s trash applies to books as well.

Everyone who comments will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of Amish Brides. *

The winner will be announced Friday September 8, 2017, on the next blog. Comments will be taken until midnight EDT Thursday September 7, 2017. **

And remember…always spread JOY!

Thanks for reading!

*If you already have a copy of Amish Brides, be sure to still leave a comment. If you are fortunate enough to have your name drawn, I have plenty of other titles to share.

**Due to the high cost of shipping, any international winner will be sent an ebook. Thanks for understanding. :)

I’m really behind in announcing winners! Congrats to those whose names were drawn!

Release Day: TITUS RETURNS

December 27, 2016December 26, 2016 | Amy

Finally! December 27th is here! And I’m so excited to announce that Titus Returns is now available! All online retail outlets should have it available, and it will be popping up in Walmart, the grocery stores, and maybe even Target this week.

Titus Returns is a touching story about one man’s attempt to start over.

After being released from prison, Titus Lambert returns to Wells Landing, unsure how to begin again. He just wants to move past all the pain he’s caused. Mandy, his once-upon-a-time girlfriend, has married another but wonders now if she made a mistake. And then there’s Abbie King. Her twin brother Alvin died in the car wreck that sent Titus to prison. Abbie’s family has suffered since the accident, and Titus longs to help. But he soon discovers that he’ll have to learn to forgive himself if he truly wants to begin again.

Titus Returns is the fifth book in the Wells Landing Series and features characters from past novels as well as a few from the Quilting Circle novellas.

I’m thrilled that I can share Titus Returns with you today! It’s a pleasure and a blessing.

Happy reading!

Amy

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Release Day: MORE THAN A PROMISE

November 29, 2016 | Amy

At the heart of the Amish community of Wells Landing, Oklahoma, a women’s quilting circle rallies around a member who is suddenly alone, under unusual circumstances…

One of the only women in the quilting circle without children, Mariana Miller prayed to be blessed with a little one throughout fifteen years of marriage. But now, newly widowed, Mariana discovers she’s pregnant—with twins! How will she support herself and the babies, not to mention stay healthy when the doctor puts her on bed rest? As neighbors band together to help, Mariana is more grateful than ever for the Amish community. She especially looks forward to visits from Reuben Weisel, her late husband’s business partner and best friend. Reuben’s quiet strength comforts her—until he proposes marriage…
Honorable and loyal, there’s no doubt Reuben sincerely wants to provide for Mariana and the twins. Never married, he can now be a good husband and father. So long as the bishop approves, to wed him is a sensible choice—and an unexpected gift. But when Mariana discovers there is more behind Reuben’s proposal than she thought, their fragile agreement and fledgling love will be put to the test…

Amish Blog Today

October 14, 2016 | Amy

blogging Amish

Just put up a new blog over at Amy’s Amish Adventures. There are a lot of new pictures to see from my travels this summer. Hope you can pop over and check them out. One lucky commenter will win an autographed book at the end of the month!

And while you’re over there, be sure to follow that blog to keep up with future posts. In order to keep people who follow both blogs from getting a double dose each blog, at the end of November, I will stop posting notifications here that I’m blogging over there. Clear as mud? I hope so! Happy reading!

Amy

Just Plain Sadie

Image | April 10, 2016March 28, 2016 | Amy

Release Day–Just Plain Sadie

March 29, 2016March 28, 2016 | Amy

It’s here! Book 4 in the Wells Landing Series is available today!

The Amish of Wells Landing, Oklahoma, treasure their close-knit community, and the promise of their growing families. But one young woman is struggling to choose a future that is true to both her heart and her faith…

Everyone in Wells Landing has long expected Sadie Kauffman and Chris Flaud to marry–despite Sadie’s telling them differently. While she loves Chris, it is more as a friend than a husband. Yet at twenty-two, the plainest girl in her group, Sadie is also the only one who is still single. Perhaps it’s time to be practical and marry Chris–though he still has not asked. But when Sadie meets a kind, handsome Mennonite, it seems her prayers have been answered…

With Ezra Hein, Sadie at last feels the joy she nearly gave up on. Unfortunately, others only feel shock that she would consider marrying an outsider. To complicate matters, Chris has finally begun talking to Sadie about their future. Distressed, Sadie will have to search her heart to recognize God’s marvelous gifts to her–and find the courage to accept them, challenges and all…

More Than Friendship Release Day!

February 23, 2016 | Amy

Happy Release Day to More Than Friendship! More Than Friendship is the first e-novella in the new Quilting Circle Series. This is a spin-off series from Wells Landing.

Come meet Clara Rose, Eileen, Verna, Mariana, and Tess as they live, love, and yes, quilt.

Friendship Amy Lillard 2-16

Lassoed by Marriage

January 2, 2016January 2, 2016 | Amy

It’s here! Lassoed by Marriage is finally here!

Hi, everyone! Hope you had a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year. I’m excited to tell you that my latest release has released! Lassoed by Marriage is now live at the online retailers.

And it includes my novella, Not So Pretty Penny.

Penelope Pinehurst didn’t reach the ripe old age of twenty-five without knowing what the townspeople call her behind her back: Not So Pretty Penny. So when her neighbor declares his eternal love—citing her beauty among her many attributes—she knows he can only be after one thing: her family’s land. With her father and brothers still not home from the war, Penny needs a husband to help her save the farm. But in a country still in recovery, marriageable men are in short supply, leaving her only one choice.

George Washington Brannock is slated to hang for murder, never mind that he was framed. Only the pouch of gold delivered to the sheriff allows him to walk free. Well, almost free. He still has to marry the homely woman who paid for his life. She may have saved him from the gallows, but he’s not staying with her forever. He’ll help her plant her crops, then he’s off to find the man who killed his brother.

Wash soon learns that God has given him a second chance. Suddenly his life has meaning. He finds himself not only wanting to stay and farm the harsh Kansas prairie, but falling in love with his wife. Then the killer shows up at the farm and Wash has to choose between the wife he never wanted and the justice he deserves.

Along with 8 other wonderful Christian stories!

It should be showing up in brick and mortar stores real soon. If you didn’t pre-order your copy, here are a few links to get you started. Happy reading!