Monday, April 11, 2011

Mary Ellis' "Abigail's New Hope"

We're happy to have Mary Ellis with us today talking about her book Abigail's New Hope. To learn more about Mary and her book, read on!

Title: Abigail’s New Hope, 1st in Wayne County Series
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Cover blurb: Love Blooms in Unexpected Places
As an Amish midwife, Abigail Graber loves bringing babies into the world. But when a difficult delivery takes a devastating turn, she is faced with some hard choices. Despite her best efforts, the young mother dies—but the baby is saved. When a heartless judge confines Abigail to the county jail for her mistakes, her sister Catherine comes to the Graber farm to care for Abigail’s young children while her husband, Daniel, works his fields. For the first time Catherine meets Daniel’s reclusive cousin, Isaiah, who is deaf and thought to be simpleminded by his community. She endeavors to teach him to communicate and discovers he possesses unexpected gifts and talents. While Abigail searches for forgiveness, Catherine changes lives and, in return, finds love, something long elusive in her life. And Isaiah discovers God, who cares nothing about our handicaps or limitations in His sustaining grace. An inspirational tale of overcoming grief, maintaining faith, and finding hope in an ever-changing world.

1) How did this story come to you?
I became intrigued by a real-life story that happened here about 5 years ago in Ohio’s Amish country. Although I fictionalized many details, a strong woman’s test of faith remains the focus of my story too.

2 Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
It took me ten long years of writing and rewriting several books before I found a lovely agent who believed in me. She matched me with this wonderful publisher, and I feel I am “home” at last. I can write the books of my heart to glorify God, which is the best way to spend your day!

3)Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
One, although I have many pie recipes in my books, I have Amish friends who invent these recipes for me. I am not a good baker at all, but I do make very good homemade soup. Two, I absolutely love lima beans, Brussel sprouts and cooked spinach—three vegetables many people run away from, and three, I’m a rather slow reader. I’ve always envied fast readers. But at least, once I finish a book it usually sticks with me for a while.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m just finishing the second in the Holmes County Series, A Marriage for Meghan—the story of a former problem student turned schoolmarm. What could possibly go wrong? And next, I’ll be writing the 4th installment of the Miller Family Series. I can’t wait to revisit the characters of my first 3-book series set in Holmes County Ohio. It’ll be like meeting old friends for lunch.

5) Parting comments?
I hope those who are going through dark days will turn to the Bible first and foremost, but also not discount the ability of fiction to heal wounded souls.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Readers can find me at http://www.maryeellis.wordpress.com/ and I hope they’ll drop by and say hi.

32 comments:

  1. Would love to read this book....please enter me.I love her books...thanks..jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

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  2. This sounds like a very good read!! We have an employee who is deaf and he is amazingly talented! Also very intuitive!! I am adding this to my wishlist and would love to win a copy. margie at mijares dot net

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  3. Would love to read this book. I enjoy Amish fiction.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. I absolutely love Mary Ellis' books!! Would love to win this one. Amish fiction is my favorite genre.
    k_hanns@yahoo.com

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  5. this book sounds wonderful, please enter me into the contest, thank you so much, Carol q.

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  6. I'd love to win the book "Abigail's New Hope". I enjoy reading all Amish fiction I can get my hands on.

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  7. Would love to win. I read all Amish fiction by all authors.

    gfpacificbee@gmail.com

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  8. I would love to win this book. Stacie_cantrell@yahoo.com

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  9. I love all Amish fiction and I love reading Mary Ellis's books! I would love to win Abigail's New Hope! Blessings!

    judyjohn2004@yahoo.com

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  10. This sounds like an amazing book. One I most certainly have to read!! Would love to win a copy!! God Bless!
    Erin Bray
    erinandbrianbray@aol.com

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  11. I would love to add an other Author to my already long list of books that I read. Thanks I love reading ab[out the Amish.

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  12. I always enjoy Amish reads. Please count me in!

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  13. Sound like a great book! Would love to win a copy!
    Emily emskrypek@yahoo.com

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  14. Your book sounds so interesting - please enter me in the drawing - thank you for the offer (autumnraindaisy@aol.com

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  15. Your book sounds very interesting & wouldn't being a mid-wife to the Amish be fascinating and rewarding work!!! Please enter me in your drawing - thank you very much. (autumnraindaisy@aol.com

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  16. What a rewarding career it would be to be a midwife to the Amish - This should indeed be a fascinating book - Please enter me in the drawing - Thank you!

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  17. I would be interested in seeing the research you did to write this book. My mom is a midwife to Amish and so I find it interesting. martha(at)lclink(dot)com

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  18. I haven't read your books yet, but the characters in this one got my attention. Hubby & I worked at a campground near Gettisburg, PA one summer, & enjoyed roaming the Amish area around Lancaster. I loved the Amish barns & took lots of pictures. Thanks so much for writing books that honor the Lord!

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  19. Oops! my email is workamper2530@yahoo.com

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  20. I read Way to a Man's Heart, and would love to read this as well! Thanks for sharing your story and thanks for the giveaway.
    -Emily
    hendrickson_emily(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  21. This book is on my TBR pile and I would love to win it! Thanks for the giveaway. :)
    emstclair {at} gmail {dot} com

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  22. Okay... I thought I'd already left a comment here but I don't see it. So either I'm having a senior moment or I'm blind and I've asked to be entered twice. *sigh*

    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  23. would enjoy reading this novel...thanks for the chance :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  24. I am very interested in this book. One reason is that I love Amish fiction for the values that the books teach. But also, I am glad that it features a deaf person who was thought to be dumb!!!!! I talked about this to deaf friend and was told that he often feels left out at work. People talk to each other and ignore him. Thank you for this giveaway and please enter me.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  25. thanks everyone who dropped by K. Dawn's blog and posted a comment. It truly does a writer's heart good when readers reach out. Good luck, everyone, in the drawing and blessings on you all! Mary Ellis

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  26. Hi Mary,
    I'd love to win "Abigail's New Hope" and I'm a subscriber to this blog so K.Dawn has my email addy. I read your Miller Family Series and enjoyed all three of them. I especially liked Leah's story (bakery and the conflict involved was outstanding) but Emma's and Hannah's were wonderful too. I am writing an Amish romance because after much prayer felt like the direction God wants me to go. I hope I can get an agent when I'm finished writing it. I live about 40 minutes from an Amish community.

    I also read an Amish Christmas book you wrote and it was a great read too.

    God has blessed you with a wonderful talent!

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  27. I'm disabled myself and love babies. I have a 1 yr old grandson who's so adorable. Amish novels are the best. Would love to win your book! Sounds very inspiring.

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  28. I learn so much about the Amish I never knew from Mary's books. I already own this one. I highly recommend it!

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  29. Sounds like a sweet story. I'm a follower & subscriber. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  30. Love to read Amish books. Please enter me in the contest.

    cgdinasia@yahoo.com

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  31. i absolutely love all books amish, please enter me to win this book, thank you carol q.

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