“Why I Write Amish Fiction”

Thank you for visiting my blog post today on Coffee Time Romance. Details about my book giveaway is below!

I’m Diane Craver and I’ve been published with Samhain, Whimsical Publications, Desert Breeze, and Rebecca Vickery Publishing. In 2012, I decided to self-publish my first book in a new Amish series. Because I love the control, I have gradually requested my rights back to my previously published books. The last three books were with Samhain Publishing, so when the seven year contracts expired, I requested my rights back. I’m in the process of revising them so I can also self-publish these stories.

A fellow author, Shelley Shepard Gray, told me a few years ago at a writer’s conference that I should consider writing Amish or Mennonite fiction. I wish I had taken her advice then instead of waiting. I mentioned to Shelley how my great-grandfather had been a Mennonite minister. My sweet late mother, Laoma Oberly Wilson, shared many stories about her grandfather with me. Even though she wasn’t Amish and later wasn’t Mennonite, she kept many of their Christian beliefs while attending a Protestant church.

While releasing A GIFT FOREVER, which happens to be based loosely on my father, Horace Wilson, it hit me how he had some things in common with the Amish. I realized how the way he did his farming was a bit like the Amish. Let me explain. While farming his eighty some acres, he used his two work horses, Lois and Dick, to haul manure for the fields. He also hitched them to the hay wagon during the summer while I stayed on the wagon to steer them to the next spot in the field. Then he pitched the hay onto the wagon. How I wish I had pictures of my dad and me working together. However, he used his tractor for planting, plowing, and cultivating. I can understand the Amish’s love of horses because my dad loved his horses. He used the simple way of using horses for farming when he wanted, and used the more convenient tractor for other types of farm work. Combining both methods were important to him as a farmer.

If you haven’t read any Amish fiction, there are many wonderful authors writing in this genre. I’ve been pleased with the response I’ve received to my Dreams of Plain Daughters Series. My three titles in this series are: A JOYFUL BREAK, JUDITH’S PLACE, and FLEETING HOPE. I’ve started writing Book Four in this series, A DECISION OF FAITH. I plan on having five or six books in this Amish series. I also have a short, AN AMISH STARRY CHRISTMAS NIGHT.

I love writing Amish fiction, and I also write in other genres.

Here is a blurb for my latest Amish romance, FLEETING HOPE:

After her fiancé, Daniel Beachy, died in a buggy accident, schoolteacher Ruth Yoder decided to move out of her parents’ home and into the house he’d built for their married life together. Ruth has lived alone for the past eleven years.

When David Hershberger, a widower, starts spending time with her, Ruth is surprised. David’s children are amazed, too, that their father is interested in their longtime neighbor. Ruth hopes that she and David will become more than friends. But since David lost his wife, Irene, the love of his life and mother of their children, David can’t imagine anyone taking her place in his heart. His children and Ruth’s sister also aren’t so sure that the relationship should develop.

Although Ruth prays that she might finally become a wife, she will follow whatever path God has chosen for her.

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By the way, my daughter Christina is the model for the cover. She’s the same age as my character Ruth Yoder! Leave a comment or question for me, and your name will be put in my drawing. One random commenter will win a copy of FLEETING HOPE, DREAMS OF PLAIN DAUGHTERS, BOOK THREE.

My Amish books are available in ebook and paperback on Amazon and Barnes & Noble! A Joyful Break, Book One, is also available on Apple!