Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Cover blurb: How long will true love wait? Meghan Yost is bright, talented, and eager to prove to her father, the bishop, that at nineteen she’s mature enough to teach in an Amish school all by herself. But just as she gains confidence and assurance, a troubled student challenges her authority and an enthusiastic suitor in the headstrong Jacob Schultz challenges her patience. How can Meghan outgrow her nickname of “little goose” if she can’t prove herself to be a capable adult who can stand on her own two feet? When a series of apparent hate crimes sweep through the district, the sheriff calls in the FBI, and Special Agent Thomas Mast arrives in Wayne County carrying a secret he’s hidden for years. Will he come to terms with the past and regain his relationship with God (before his career hardened his heart)? (With more on her plate than one girl can handle, Meghan sets out to help with the investigation.) Thomas works closely with the bishop, who hopes the criminals will be arrested before Meghan finds herself in love with the most inappropriate of suitors—an Englischer…An engaging story of one girl’s quest for independence and true love as social prejudice tests a community’s faith in a simpler world.
1) How did this story come to you?
As a former schoolteacher, I still have nightmares regarding facing six classes of middle-school teenagers during my first year. My heroine experiences similar jitters. Regarding hate crimes against the Amish, I ran into (and interviewed) a county sheriff’s department deputy who sparked that part of the story.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
We don’t really have kind of time, do we? I can only say I never gave up despite my fair share of rejections. Keep your dreams in your heart and pray for direction is the best advice I could give. Keep knocking on doors until one opens, even if it’s only a crack.
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’m obsessed with Niagara Falls; I’m obsessed with popcorn (I eat it every day) and I make an incredibly good lobster bisque (soup). Can you tell I just returned from a research trip to Maine?
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My next release in Feb 2012 will be An Amish Family Reunion. It will be book four of the best-selling Miller Family Series. For those who enjoyed the series, we pick up the story 12 years after A Widow’s Hope and 4 years after The Way to a Man’s Heart. Right now I’m working on Living in Harmony, set in Maine.
5) Parting comments?
Any readers who’d like my recipe for lobster bisque can send me an email: maryeellis@yahoo.com
6) Where can fans find you on the internet? I hope they’ll stop my blog:
http://www.maryeellis.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Mary-Ellis/126995058236
I enjoy reading Amish books. Please enter me in this drawing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
Very interesting, please add my name to the list.
ReplyDeleteSarah
sarahsantanablogs@gmail.com
Wow! This sounds like a great read! I love it already just reading the bit of introduction! I love books about The Amish and Mary, you have"done this one good"!!
ReplyDeletePlease, I must be in this drawing, too Many thanks!
(i sure am happy my passion is reading! I gave a variety as big as the world!)
Ah..Mary Ellis, I love her books and have read every one of them. I am a huge fan! I think this new book, A Marriage For Meghan will be another fantastic read. I loved Abigail's New Hope and I have been waiting for this one to come out. I would love to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
sweetpea.judy[at]yahoo[dot]com
It's so nice to be given the opportunity to win books. But even nicer is reading the interviews and learning more about the authors and howthe stories came about.
ReplyDeleteLourdes11743[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks for the chance to win this. This looks like a great book. I would love to read this. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteagent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would "have nightmares regarding facing six classes of middle-school teenagers". I had to laugh.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read "A Marriage for Meghan".
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This sounds like a book i could really get into and i love to read.would love to win her book..Thanks
ReplyDeleteI read The Way to a Man's Heart and enjoyed it. This one sounds especially interesting with the love triangle and the "interference" from the outside. I love those kinds of conflicts and am curious how Mary Ellis resolves it. Please sign me up, and thanks for the interview and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteemily_reynolds@hotmail.com
would love to win
ReplyDeletenakiassgeorge@yahoo.com
thanks everyone for dropping by and posting a comment already! I just got back in town from a family get-away and was tickled pink. And thanks especially for your kind words about my writing. Although my characters are fictional, they become "real" to me by story's end. So I'm glad they worm their ways into other people's hearts too!
ReplyDeletelove amish novels, please enter me
ReplyDeletethank you Carol E
I would love to win a copy of this book. Sounds like an interesting plot.
ReplyDeleteShirley
beekeeper5(at)bellsouth(dot)net
I love reading your books and all Amish romance fiction! Please keep writing them as you have a really nice writing style! Thanks
ReplyDeleteLisa MacNeil hsrmom@msn.com
I would love to win a copy of this book, it sounds really good.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I've read all of Mary's books, and had the wonderful opportunity of meeting and hearing her speak at our local library here in Newton Falls, OH. A lovely, lovely lady, charming and funny, and if you haven't read her books, you must...they are great. Thanks for the entry for her newest book, have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteSandee61
Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com
Would love to read another Mary Ellis book.
ReplyDeleteLove Mary Ellis...one of my favorite Amish authors !!
ReplyDeletedjkrueger@wildblue.net
I love reading Amish books and I have yet to read any by Mary Ellis so I would love to get a chance to read this!! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteCourtney
kcmelone at yahoo dot com
I love Amish fiction and think that a school teacher is a great subject for this book. I somehow didn't become one but there were so many in my mother's family and they always asked me what I was going to teach when we went to family reunions.
ReplyDeleteI love Reading Amish Fiction. I would love to win a copy of your book. tagon@mi.rr.com
ReplyDeleteMary Ellis, you are so lovely - just like your writing. And I can't wait to try that soup!
ReplyDeleteLove Amish books, would really like to win this one.
ReplyDeleteWilma
wilmamet6(at)gmail(dot)com
I descend from Lancaster County, Pa , so I love this type of book!
ReplyDeleteI just cannot get enough Amish reading. Would love to win your book.
ReplyDeleteThe photo on your wordpress web site is so calming to look at, simply beautiful!!!! 'A Marriage for Meghan' sounds like a charming story!!! I also love popcorn, I have fond memories of a flavored popcorn store in the 80's with something like 50 different flavors, there are some online popcorn stores with assorted flavors you can order. :O) Thank you for the chance at a free copy of you most recent book, please enter me in your drawing. Thank you!!! ... ~Daisy Adams
ReplyDeletedaisyflower.adams@gmail.com
I love amish fiction so this is a must read for me. Thank you for giving the chance to possibly win it.
ReplyDeletecountrysunset40 (at) aol dot com
Wow you have a interesting book ...would luv to win a copy...love reading about the Amish..............babyruthmac16@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteOh how I would love to win this book thanks for the great giveaway. Saradawson09 (at) yahoo
ReplyDelete( dot) com
Thanks to everyone who stopped by and posted a comment. I truly appreciate all your kind words! My hubby drew the lucky winner and...drum roll please....she is Lisa MacNeil. Lisa I will send you an email for your address. If it goes to "spam" please contact me at:
ReplyDeletemaryeellis@yahoo.com. Blessings, everyone.