Kelly Irvin, Amish novel

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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
Facebook
Pinterest
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.