Monday, April 25, 2011

Laura Hilton's "Patchwork Dreams"


We're happy to have Laura Hilton with us today talking about her book Patchwork Dreams. To learn more about Laura and her book, read on!

Title: Patchwork Dreams
Publisher: Whitaker House

Cover blurb: Becky Troyer has committed the ultimate sin, and finds herself on the edge of her Amish community. Jacob Miller believes he was sent to the Old Order Community in Missouri to help out a distant cousin. Instead, he discovers he was part of an arranged swap--sending men from his Pennsylvania district to the Missouri district to bring new blood into the Amish community. Becky dreams of marriage, but doesn't dare hope that anyone would choose her--not with her history. Can God use the lies that have affected Becky and Jacob to bring them together? Or will Jacob rebel and head home to his first love?

1) How did this story come to you?
My agent suggested I try an Amish story since I love to read them. I thought about it awhile and I knew that Amish men are sometimes transferred to different communities to lower the rate of DNA related diseases. So I thought I’d write about that happening.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Well, I wrote three chapters and a synopsis and sent it to my agent. I was rather shocked that within a day or two I had three requests for the whole manuscript, (which I hadn’t written) and the next day, it was sold – from the synopsis and first three chapters. I had six months to write the story – which I did – and the book will be out next month.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’m a breast cancer survivor.
I have five kids and I’m a homeschool Mom.
My grandparents on my maternal side left the Amish.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I recently sent in the second book in my three book Amish series—A Harvest of Hearts, releasing in September of this year – and now am working on marketing for Patchwork Dreams and writing the third book in this series, yet untitled.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for having me here.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ (for my book reviews) or http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/ for my personal blog. I’m also on facebook.

18 comments:

  1. I'm actually not a fan of amish fiction, but I like the premise of this one, please sign me up.

    rmjagears AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your title spoke to me because I'm a quilt lover. I actually have a quilt top featured on my author website similiar to what my heroine would have quilted during her trip from Texas to the California gold fields in 1849.
    I enjoy Amish books because part of my longs for the simple lifestyle, albeit hardwork, they stand for.
    I hope I win! How fantastic to have sold your story so quickly, even if it put you on a short deadline. Congrats.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I enjoy Amish fiction too. Thanks for entering me. :)

    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. This looks like a really interesting book. Please enter me.

    Katy

    m.katy15[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am already a subscriber and I really love Amish stories. I didn;t know about Amish men going to other communities for wives to get different DNA mixes. Great idea! I would love to read this book.


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow the book sounds like a good read. THat was quite an interview, thank you!

    I'm a follower and a subscriber.
    dancealert at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would like to win this book but number one comment never wins!:( It sounds wonderful!

    dianalflowers@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have never read an Amish romance. Perhaps it's time I explored this genre.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice meeting Laura here. I really like her story content and hope I can read her book soon. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win this book. I hope I win.

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Interesting twist to an Amish love story! I'd love to read it!

    kj at karenjordan dot net

    ReplyDelete
  11. would love to read this amish story...thanks for the opportunity :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love Beverly Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter and recntly discovered Amy Clipston, so would love to read your take on Amish fiction. I didn't know about the Amish men and DNA, that was new to me and a different idea to write about. It's neeat to know your family also left the Amish community. Sherri
    sherri5 at pa dot net

    ReplyDelete
  13. Laura,

    I'm so excited to see your dream coming true. PTL!

    Remember way back in that first critique group when none of us were published?

    I'd love to read your book. fictionfan1 [at] me [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love Beverly Lewis' books too, Sherri. Thanks everyone for signing up! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love Amish Fiction! This book sounds great! I would LOVE to win a copy! Thanks for the chance, I am an email subscriber.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  16. Vickie, I do remember that first critique group. I still miss you guys! We developed a friendship while we learned and grew.

    ReplyDelete
  17. While I'm not a typical Amish Fiction reader, this book sounds interesting to me. Sign me up! elizabeth.by AT gmail. com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Laura, I'm so very excited for you on the release of this book! Congrats!

    ReplyDelete

Interview with Barbara M. Britton and spotlight of Lioness...

We're happy to have Barbara M. Britton with us talking about her book Lioness . To learn more about her and Lioness, please read o...