Monday, February 20, 2012

Kelly Irvin's "To Love and To Cherish"


Title: To Love and To Cherish
Publisher: Harvest House Publishing

Cover blurb: How Do You Forgive When Your Heart Is Broken?

It’s been four years since Carl left. Four years since he left the safety of the small Amish community for the Englisch world. And in four years, Emma’s heart has only begun to heal.

Now, with the unexpected death of her parents, Emma is plunged back into a world of despair and confusion. It’s a confusion only compounded by Carl’s return. She’s supposed to be in love with him…so why can’t she keep her mind off Thomas, the strong, quiet widower who always seems to be underfoot? Could the man she knew only as a friend be the one to help her to heal?

In a world that seems to be changing no matter how tightly she clings to the past, one woman must see beyond her pain, find strength in God, and open her heart to trust once again.

1) How did this story come to you?
I came across a newspaper article about buggy accidents and how it hard it is for law enforcement to keep roads safe for buggies and cars at the same time. It made me think about the clash between the two ways of life. Then I started thinking about how hard it must be to forgive someone who has killed your loved one, even though it was an accident. The Amish believe in forgiveness, but they are human, so it must be very difficult at times. I know I struggle with the concept of forgiveness on a regular basis. All this musing translated into a story called To Love and to Cherish.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I had published a romantic suspense novel and had another one under contract when my agent Mary Sue Seymour challenged me to try something new and different. So I wrote a proposal and 50 pages for To Love and to Cherish and she pitched it for me. I continued to work on the novel, but before I could complete it, Harvest House asked to see the rest of it. I submitted what I could and they ended up buying it before I finished it.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
• I speak Spanish after having spent a year and a half in Costa Rica as an exchange student in college.
• I started my career as a newspaper reporter and worked in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso covering everything from zoning cases to Miss Texas pageants to federal drug smuggling cases.
• I once ate rattlesnake meat at the Rattlesnake Roundup in Laredo. (This would be even more surprising if they knew what a phobia I have about snakes!)

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
The second book in the Bliss Creek Amish series is scheduled for release in September and I’m currently working on a third book in the series for Harvest House’s consideration.

5) Parting comments?
I hope readers enjoy reading To Love and to Cherish as much as I enjoyed writing it.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.kellyirvin.com/

18 comments:

  1. thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  2. Forgiveness is difficult no matter what but living near a small Amish town here in Florida where our Amish have bicycles instead of buggies and accidents do happen you see forgiveness in the works all the time. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of this book.

    skstiles612@yahoo.com

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  3. I am looking forward to reading TO LOVE AND TO CHERISH. Stories about the Amish are always such a pleasure.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  4. To Love and to Cherish is a book I must read. I would love to win a copy. I love Amish fiction by all the Amish Authors. Kelly Irvin is a new author to me and I loved the interview with her. I'm hoping to get to know her better. I love doing reviews on the books I read.

    Thanks for this giveaway!

    Blessings!
    Judy
    judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  5. Thanks for reading the interview and taking time to comment! Good luck on the drawing!

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  6. A great interview. I really like the sound of your story. I can't wait to read it. thanks for a chance to win it. God bless you.

    Glenda Parker

    http://glendaparkerfictionwriter.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. This sounds like quite an incredible story. I would love to read this! Thank you for the giveaway!

      Margaret
      singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  7. I love Amish fiction and a tale of forgiveness is one that we can all use. I think one of the reasons that people don't forgive is stubborness.

    Working on drug smuggling cases would be so challenging. I hope that you didn't have to face danger personally.

    Would love to read this book.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  8. I love Amish stories both romance and mystery. The Amish live a quite, simple life with love of family and friends. Amish pull together to help each other and provide for their families without the extra's that we think we can't do without. I have not read this book but do have on my wish list and can't wait to read. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.
    Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  9. would love to read this story....thanks for the chance :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  10. I want to read this book....sounds very interesting.Please enter me...Thanks...jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

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  11. I so enjoy Amish fiction & have a dear Old Amish Friend, so I would love to read your new book 'To Love and To Cherish'. And, will look forward to your 2nd book coming out in September!! If you don't already read it, I'd highly recommend reading 'The Budget' the Amish & Mennonite Newspaper. What a blessing & exciting experience it must have been to live in Costa Rica for a year. :O) Thank you for this chance to win a copy of your new book. Sincerely, Dawn
    daisyflower.adams@gmail.com

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  12. I recently heard about this book and have been looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

    wpd_2(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  13. I have been reading Amish fiction for a while now and have always enjoyed the different perspectives different authors have relating to the Amish lifestyle. This sounds like a book I would enjoy. Thanks for the giveaway!


    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  14. Hello Kelly, I just discovered a Godincidence, we are from the same hometown. I've read the synopsis of the content of your new story and I'm fascinated with Amish stories. This story will be an incredible read. Thank you for this giveaway and the chance to win. I hope I do!

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  15. Thank you for the chance to win this book. The issue of forgiveness is universal and therefore has tremendous value for every reader. I can't wait to begin reading your book. Carol Hungerford

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  16. Sounds like a great story!!! Thank you for this giveaway and a chance to win this book! Look forward to reading this book and find out who Emma choose. Thanks again!

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  17. Ηi, I read your new stuff regularlу.
    Yοur writіng stylе is aweѕоme, κeер іt up!
    More Tips

    ReplyDelete

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