Monday, October 15, 2012

Diane Craver's "A Joyful Break"


Title: A Joyful Break (Dreams of Plain Daughters, Book One)

Cover blurb: After her mother’s untimely death, a twenty-year-old Amish
woman has a difficult decision to make: Choose to break from the Plain community and her boyfriend...or live in the English world permanently.

Rachel Hershberger wants to get away from her Amish home in Fields Corner, Ohio. For a year she’s been trying to fill her mother’s shoes by taking care of her father and siblings. She quit her job at the bakery so she could have more time to clean and cook at home. Before her mother died, Rachel was positive she wanted to marry Samuel Weaver, but now she can’t think about wedding plans. She blames her father for her mother’s death. If they had installed a phone in their barn or a shanty, her mother might have received medical help in time to save her life. Her mother’s death has made Rachel question if she should be baptized and join the church. She wonders if non-Amish women live longer and have less stress. Maybe her forty-four-year old mother would still be alive had she left the Amish lifestyle like her sister Carrie did.

When her Aunt Carrie invites her to go to the beach, Rachel decides the time away will help her to decide whether to join the Amish church or to live in the English world instead. She is conflicted because she loves Samuel and her family. Instead of a relaxing time away, disturbing events happen while Rachel’s in Florida. A photographer snaps troublesome pictures of Rachel because of her famous senator uncle, and a handsome and charming college student falls in love with her.

1) How did this story come to you?
My inspiration for this story came from my mother. Her grandfather was a Mennonite minister, and she shared stories about his faith. Even though, she wasn’t raised in the Mennonite or Amish faith, some of her values were similar to a simpler way of life.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I did extensive research to portray this wonderful faith as accurately as possible. I didn’t start writing A Joyful Break until I visited an Amish community and felt like I had absorbed enough information about this faith.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’d love to learn how to play the drums and be in a band. (I don’t see this happening but girl can dream. LOL) My husband and I have lived in three different houses on the same street. I have six children with four delivered without any medication. No, I didn’t have short labors. The fourth and sixth babies were born by C-sections.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m working on the next story in my Amish series. It’s mainly about Rachel’s friend,vKatie Weaver. Also Rachel’s father becomes interested in Sarah, the co-owner of the yarn shop in Fields Corner.

5) Parting comments?
Thank you for having me on your fantastic blog. Readers, if you haven’t read any of my books, I hope you do! I’m published through a variety of houses, including Whimsical Publications, Samhain Publishing, Victory Tales Press, and Publishing by Rebecca. I’m looking forward to meeting your blog visitors. A JOYFUL BREAK is available in paperback and electronic formats.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Website: http://www.dianecraver.com
Blog: http://www.dianecraver.com/blog
I belong to this wonderful group of talented authors, Jewels of the Quill. Here is their link: http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/jewelsofthequill.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Diane-Craver/153906208887

27 comments:

  1. Hi Diane,

    It's great to meet you here. I've not read your books before, but this sounds very interesting.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Jackie
    joyfuljelatgmaildotcom

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  2. Thanks so much for commenting, Jackie! I hope you get a chance to read my books and you're entered in the contest here!

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  3. This sounds like an interesting story and I love what inspired it!
    ivegotmail8889@yahoo.com

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  4. Hi pc,
    Thanks for dropping by! I enjoyed writing A Joyful Break. You're entered too!

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  5. Hi Diane,
    Congratulations on your new book, "A Joyful Break"! It is a wonderful story, like all your other works. Best of luck with this fantastic series.
    Hugs,
    Regina

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  6. Hi Regina,
    Thanks so much for the congrats and for your wonderful help with A Joyful Break. Your comments and editing made it stronger.
    Blessings,
    Diane

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  7. This sounds like an interesting dilemma, one that many Amish would face. It has to be difficult to know that a few "modern" conveniences would mean so much to ease life. Still, some of those conveniences complicate maters too. Congratulations on the release of your book.

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  8. Good Morning, Heather!
    That's so true about our modern conveniences complicating our lives too. I liked writing about the differences between the Amish and our way of life. Thanks for visiting and for the congrats!

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  9. thanks for the interview

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  10. Love the title. rdunson at knology dot net

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  11. Hi Apple Blossom,
    Glad to see you here. Have a great day!

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  12. Hi Deborah,
    I sometimes have trouble thinking of good book titles but I didn't for A Joyful Break. I'm glad you love the title. :)

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  13. Thank you for a wonderful interview and contest to win a copy of Diane's new book. It sounds wonderful!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  14. Nancee,
    I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the sweet comment!

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  15. Diane,

    I am so excited about reading your book. Sounds like you have added so much character to Rachel.

    Rebecca Lewis
    believe4ever59@yahoo.com

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  16. i have been watching a program recently called "Living with the Amish" It does open your eyes to another way of life.

    Mel
    melcwinkler@gmail.com

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  17. Hi Rebecca,

    I loved writing about Rachel and how she was faced with a choice about whether to join the Amish church or not. Thanks for commenting. Have a great day!

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  18. Hi Melanie,
    I haven't watched that TV program - I'm glad you mentioned it. That sounds fascinating. Have a wonderful day!

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  19. If you liked to read a bit more about A JOYFUL BREAK, I have ten questions I've answered for a blog hop on my blog today - http://www.dianecraver.com/blog.
    I share which actors I'd cast to play the parts of Rachel and Samuel if making a movie of A JOYFUL BREAK. :)

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  20. Hi Diane,

    The more I read about this book, the more I WANT to read. But I'll hold off for the print copy. I don't have a Nook or Kindle, and reading too long online burns my eyes.

    Interesting interview. You wanted to be a girl drummer, eh? Well, I've always wanted to be a singer. Maybe we should join forces and do cross-country tours. LOL>

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  21. Well, I already know you, and I've read the book. It's a wonderful story, sweet and gentle, but with enough tension to keep you reading. Diane, you do a very good job of drawing your characters. I especially liked Samuel--he's the kind of hero we'd all like to meet.
    Congratulations on your first Amish novel, and I'm pretty sure there will be more to come.

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  22. Hi Laurie,
    What fun we'd both have if I could be a girl drummer and you could be the singer. LOL

    I'm so glad you stopped by and are interested in reading A JOYFUL BREAK! It means a lot to me coming from another inspirational author...especially one with books I enjoy reading. :)

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  23. Hi Celia,
    I'm glad you liked my hero Samuel. I enjoyed writing his character in A JOYFUL BREAK! Thank you for buying my book and visiting here to share your wonderful insight. I always appreciate your comments about my books. You're a gifted storyteller and wish you continued success with your western historical romances and contemporary romances.

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  24. A Joyful Break sounds like a very interesting book. I have really gotten into reading Amish books lately and have just added your name to the list of authors to check out. Thank you for the opportunity!

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

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  25. Hi Jo,
    Thank you for adding my name to your list of Amish authors to check out - I appreciate this! And thanks for stopping by. I'm happy to have you and the other commenters in my drawing for a copy of A JOYFUL BREAK! Btw,I will have a second book in this series available in 2013.

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  26. Everyone, thank you so much for taking the time to visit and to leave great comments. I wrote each name down on a piece of paper and my daughter Amanda drew Rebecca's name. I'll email you, Rebecca! I do have blog contests so hope to see you soon. (http://www.dianecraver.com/blog)

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  27. I haven't heard back from the winner so if I don't by tomorrow, a new winner's name will be drawn.

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