Leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Tuesday, October 27, 2015 to be entered in the DRAWING for a copy of the book below. If you mention in your comment that you’re a follower (see in the left sidebar “Join This Site” and “Follow by Email”), I'll add your name a second time in the drawing. U.S. mailing address required to receive a paper book. Read book giveaway details at Disclaimers. To provide you security, please leave your email address like this: johnATyahooDOTcom. Winner announced in next Thursday's blog post.
THE BISHOP'S SON by Kelly Irvin
Kelly Irvin is the author of The Bishop’s Son, the
second novel in the Amish of Bee County series from Zondervan/HarperCollins. It follows The Beekeeper’s Son, which received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, calling it “a beautifully woven masterpiece.” She is also the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Hope Amish series, both from Harvest House Publishing. Her first novella, A Christmas Visitor, debuted in the anthology, The Amish Christmas Gift, this month.
Welcome, Kelly. Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I like places with ocean. We spent our 25th anniversary in Maui. Our anniversary is in February so we spent more time hiking and zip lining, than playing in the water since it was cool and windy. But it was gorgeous. I could stare at the water for hours and let the sounds of the waves and the birds relax me completely. The ocean is one of those creations that I believe tells us unequivocally there is a God and He is grand. We try to get to the Texas coast whenever we can to Port Aransas and South Padre Island. They’re much less picturesque but have their own personalities. I could easily be a beach bum.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Sometimes I think we should spend time with Bible verses we don’t like as much because they tell us something we don’t want to hear or we struggle accepting. Right now, mine is found in Paul’s story about the thorn that afflicted him:
“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12: 7-9 (NIV)
I’d rather have the thorn taken from me because I prefer to be self-reliant, but God knows what is best for me and wants me to rely on him so I’m trying to be patient with the new “weaker” me.
What do you enjoy most about writing?
Creating these people (characters) out of thin air who become like friends or family members by the time the book is done. Some I will see through all three books in the series. People like Mordecai King who delights me every time he opens his mouth. My editor wants an I love Mordecai bumper sticker for her car. I wouldn’t mind one myself. In fiction, you can create the people you hope to meet in life.
Please tell us a little about your novel, The Bishop’s Son.
Leila Lantz is in danger of losing her heart to a Plain
man until she discovers he’s not so Plain after all.
Leila has been drawn to Jesse Glick, the bishop’s son, since the first day she met him at his father’s store, and she knows he feels the same way about her. But she can’t understand why he seems to make overtures one day, then withdraw the next.
Jesse has a secret. He has been attending an Englisch church youth group, and he’s starting to believe he’s being called to be a minister, something Amish men cannot be unless they draw the lot. He’s considering leaving his Amish community to follow his calling. The only reason he has stayed is Leila. Will, Jesse’s cousin, has his own feelings for Leila, but he has stood back in deference to his cousin for many months. Until he can’t stand the thought of Leila being hurt.
Leila can choose Will and know that she will never have to leave her home or family. Or she can choose Jesse and the love her heart desires, knowing she’ll have to say goodbye to her entire community. The day comes when Jesse, Will, and Leila all have to make their choices, choices that will deeply affect their small, close-knit community of Plain families.
Where can readers find you online?
Website
Twitter: @Kelly_S_Irvin
Where can readers purchase The Bishop's Son?
Christianbook.com
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Books-A-Million
Zondervon
Thank you, Kelly, for visiting with my readers and me. One of the commenters to this post will be drawn to receive a copy of your novel, The Bishop’s Son.
The winner of last Thursday’s blog post for a copy of Intertwined by Jennifer Slattery is Connie. I’ll email you. Thanks all for commenting. Watch for more book giveaways.
Till next time … keep on smiling.
Where do you find ideas for a book and have you ever stay at a Amish house for a couple of days?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, thanks for commenting.
DeleteAnonymous, I NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO ENTER YOU IN THE BOOK DRAWING. IF YOU ARE THE WINNER I WILL NEED TO CONTACT YOU.
DeleteI just love Amish novels. So want to read this one!
ReplyDeleteLaurie, thanks for coming by and leaving your comment.
DeleteLaurie, I NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. IF YOU WIN I WILL NEED TO CONTACT YOU.
DeleteI enjoyed learning a bit about Kelly Irvin and would love to read The Bishop's Son! Thank you so much for sharing this interview and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI am a blog follower.
texaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Britney, thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. So appreciate you following my blog!
DeleteInteresting interview and the book sounds interesting also. I am a follower.
ReplyDeletegrandaddyaATcomcastDOTnet
Edward, thanks for leaving your comment and for following my blog!
DeleteRead the first book in this series, so definitely want to read this one.
ReplyDeleteMy brother and sister-in-law are in Hawaii right now. Will be interesting to hear what they saw and did.
josieringer(at)gmail(dot)com
Martha, thanks for coming by and leaving your comment.
DeleteReally looking forward to reading another Kelly Irvin book. I have The Beekeeper's Son in my TBR pile and can't wait to read that, too. Love Kelly's books. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of The Bishop's Son.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower of your blog via GFC and email.
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
Karen, you're welcome. Thanks for following by blog!
DeleteI love to read Kelly's books. Oceans are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI follow.
ThereadmasterAT meDOTcom
Virginia, I appreciate you following my blog! Thanks for leaving your comment.
DeleteI love Amish books. Would love to read it
ReplyDeletePatty, thanks for coming by and leaving your comment.
DeleteHi Jo and Kelly. Kelly, I grew up on the south shore of Long Island and spent a great deal of time at the ocean as a kid. I still remember the pounding of the surf and so loved sifting the sand between my toes as I walked along the beach. The magnificence of the ocean so reflects the awesomeness of God's power!
ReplyDeletePatti(dot)shene(at)gmail(dot)com
Patti, thanks for commenting.
DeleteI live on the Oregon coast and you are absolutely right about how relaxing it is to watch the wave and hear the gulls! Though most of the time, it's too cold to stick your toes in the water, there's just something about the feel of sand between your toes :-) No other place for me in the world!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win a copy of "The Bishop's Son" & for the author interview. I enjoyed reading it :-) I bet it is fun creating the characters you wished you could be or just get lost in an imaginary person's life for a while! That's why I LOVE to read so much!
teamob4 (at) gmail (com)
I'm also a follower of yours Jo! :-)
Trixi, thanks so much for following my blog and commenting here.
DeleteIt would be a very difficult decision to leave the faith of your family like that! I'm interested in reading about Jesse, Will, and Leila's decision.
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Patty, thanks for leaving your comment.
DeleteI love Amish stories. I want to enter to win
ReplyDeletePatty, you're already entered. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteAfter reading Amish fiction for a few years I continue to enjoy the fresh stories and clean Christian books. I would love to win this book.
ReplyDeleteSally, thanks for leaving your comment.
DeleteSally, I NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO IF YOU WIN I CAN CONTACT YOU.
DeleteI have one other of Kelly Irvin's books, and really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower.
reneerachoyolsenATgmailDOTcom
Heather, thanks so much for following my blog and for leaving your comment.
DeleteI share Kelly's love of the ocean too as I am blessed to live close to it. Amish fiction is my favorite and I would love to read this book.
ReplyDeleteJo, I am an e mail subscriber to your blog
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann
Maryann, thanks for commenting. I appreciate you following my blog!
DeleteI would love this book and have been following it. Would love to win! Sonja dot Nishimoto at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteSonja, thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment.
DeleteI would love to win this book. I am a follower
ReplyDeletegrandmama_brenda(at)yahoo(dot)com
Brenda, glad you follow my blog! Thanks for coming by and commenting.
DeleteSounds like an interesting book. I love reading Amish fiction.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower of your blog.
KayLee from NY
msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com
KayLee, thanks for leaving your comment. I appreciate you following my blog!
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