Kelly Marie Long's Novella - A Christmas On Ice Mountain

Kelly Marie Long's new release the novella "A Christmas on Ice Mountain" in  An Amish Christmas Quilt. This is part of a series set in Pennsylvania. The story line in the series revolves around the natural marvel/phenomenon of Ice Mountain.  Amish Mennonite live there and some of their customs are different from other American Amish.

This novella collection is published by Zebra, a Kensington imprint. All of Kelly's books have been published by Christian publishing houses up until now and this is her first foray into the secular market.

Here's the blurb:
A Christmas On Ice Mountain
By Kelly Long

Matthew Beider and Laurel Lapp's secret wish to marry is a gift their feuding fathers definitely won't accept. And trying to settle their dats' long-standing quarrel is making their holiday anything but merry. Can rediscovering the joys and friendships of Christmas past finally turn their families' futures bright?

FIVE STARS *****
I read only Kelly's story and haven't had a chance yet to read the other two novellas in the collection--one by Charlotte Hubbard and another by Jennifer Beckstrand.

An Amish Christmas Quilt was true to form Kelly Long, which I loved. A lovely romance with a little edginess in this story. And it interconnects with her Bride of Ice Mountain, which I am three quarters of the way through. So there's a nice overlap with some special characters from the series. Loved the siblings in this novella!

This novella was so cute and the plot so compelling that I had to keep reading it until I got to the end. This is one of the things that I like about novellas because I can often read them in an evening. This story had bibiliotherapy elements of forgiveness, long standing feuds, harboring resentment and listening to God's directives.  Lovely happy-ever-after at the end!  Highly recommend. I see this novella as a contender on my novellas list and on my bibliotherapy list for best of 2014.

Giveaway: This is Amish week on OWG blog and also our Pink Giveaway for breast cancer survivor awareness. We also have giveaway of ebook or paperback copy of this novella collection which includes Kelly's latest release!  Question--Have you ever met someone who was Amish?

Diana Flowers Reviews First Impressions by Sarah Price

First Impressions

First Impressions by Sarah Price

Realms, 2014

Reviewed by Diana Flowers

5 stars *****

A Fascinating Tale of Pride and Prejudice

In her own eloquent, exquisite style, author Sarah Price has penned a delightful Amish tale — reminiscent of the timeless classic by the memorable Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.

Lizzie Blank lives a contented life on a modest farm with her parents and four sisters, in a close knit Amish community in Pennsylvania. The Blank household – especially Lizzie's mother – is abuzz with excitement upon learning that the rental farm next door would soon be occupied with three marriageable young Amish men from Ohio! The matriarch of the Blank family had spent many a sleepless night wondering who might take over the farm someday; having five daughters, no sons, and not many single men in the community.

When Charles Beachey arrives with his cousin, George Wickey, and a friend, Frederick Detweiler, it is not long before the sparks begin to fly. Handsome, godly Charles Beachey is immediately drawn to Lizzie's older sister, Jane, who is as lovely on the inside as she is on the outside. His cousin, George Wickey, is dashing, mysterious, and full of charm, and Lizzie's first impressions of Frederick are not favorable at all. She finds him puffed up with pride, prejudice, and arrogance — and overhears him telling Charles that she is just "tolerable." When Charles returns to Ohio leaving Jane heartbroken, Lizzie deems the insufferable Frederick responsible, and neither does she understand the distasteful attitude he takes towards the charming, handsome George Wickey. As Lizzie seeks to draw closer to God, will she realize that first impressions aren't always as they seem…but are they destined to be lasting impressions?

Although this novel is an Amish contemporary, I just loved the old fashioned Jane Austen-ish feel to it! I could actually envision the characters from the movie, Pride and Prejudice, in my mind's eye (especially Mr. Darcy, er, uh, Frederick that is)…so accurately were they portrayed by the author…and I fell in love with every one of them! Except for…well, I best not say! Sarah Price is extremely talented, and I highly applaud her for this wonderful book that made me laugh, smile, cry, and think about how easily we prejudge people based on appearances or what someone else has told us about them. This is easily one of the best novels I have read this year, and one of my fave Amish books ever!

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This book may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, Barnes & Noble, and BAM.

GIVEAWAY: Sarah is generously giving away a paperback copy of First Impressions to one blessed commenter! US residents only. Please leave email address using (at) and (dot) to prevent spam.

Three Reasons to Listen to The Lesson (audiobook) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Lesson
Stoney Ridge Seasons #3
By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The audiobook CD by Brilliance Audio only recently released (August 6) for this novel which was published by Revell in January 2013.  I pre-ordered mine. Unfortunately I got mixed up and listened to The Letters before I listened to The Lesson.  I'd advise you to listen to The Lesson first.

Reasons to listen to this audiobook:
1) Characterization and a favorite character finally gets her "man."
I have loved Mary Kate or M.K. Lapp ever since I first "met" her when she was a child in Suzanne's stories. So it is great reading a story where she is now grown up and thrown into the situation of being a teacher. And I LOVED her elderly mentor--what a wonderful character.  I wish Suzanne would give us a few more stories with her in it.

2) Bibliotherapy elements are deep and powerful. (And even affected me!) Have you read a Christian book where a big part of the story line is about the effects of Meth-amphetamine usage? I sure haven't.

Chris Yoder is a wonderful hero--he's a young man carrying the weight of the world.  Chris and Jenny, his younger sister, have a mother in prison who is a meth addict. Mom is really a piece of work and Suzanne portrays her so well I almost wonder if she, like myself, has one of these sad people in her family.  I listened to the audiotape and I had to turn it off during the part where Jenny has been suckered into a situation with her mother where I knew what was going to happen but Jenny did not.  Turned it off.  Thought what a hard core user like this who is so messed up would do. And that night I discovered my own family member was arrested on drug charges and is faces his own possible prison time.  So I got my own bit of bibliotherapy through this audiobook, which was interesting.  I thought--this person (Suzanne) knows what the family is going through. They really get it.  And that is one of the points of bibliotherapy--reading something that speaks to your own issue. And I am very glad Suzanne didn't try to sugar coat or pull a miracle out of her bonnet. I think if she had done that she'd have disappointed a lot of people who know it truly does take a miracle to pull someone out of this addiction. Great job of showing how co-dependency affects the family, too.

Interesting how one of the characters who is so powerful isn't even alive--"Old Deborah" who is still impacting the lives of Chris, Jenny, and others, by the way she gave to others in trouble. Great example of how a humble and simple life can be so meaningful!

3) The audiobook has a lovely narrator and what a great thing to do while you are washing dishes, folding clothes, and doing other "quiet" cleaning. You can read while doing housekeeping!

But back to the overall book--again we have the lovely Suzanne voice, characterization, and taut storyline. Although we start out with a suspected murder we end up discovering another crime that occurred years earlier.  

Giveaway: Gently used CD (not MP3 - can be played on a regular CD player.)  Here's what you have to do to be entered.  Check out the Deeper Shopping website and put "DS" on your comment to count twice.  If you are a Follower of our blog put OWG. We are TWO away from out 300th Follower.  That person will receive a special prize and if that person is you, email me at overcomingwithGod@aol.com!   Leave your email addy if we don't know you well.

Diana Flowers Reviews Katie's Choice By Amy Lillard

Katie's Choice

Katie's Choice by Amy Lillard 

B&H Publishing, 2013

Reviewed by Diana Flowers

~5 stars*****

  

Heartwarming Amish Fiction!

In this heartwarming Amish tale, author Amy Lillard takes us on a special journey—where two people from very different worlds find new hope, faith, and healing for their broken lives.

Zane Carson, a war correspondent, has received a strange assignment and certainly not the one he was hoping for. Having his heart set on going to Juarez, Mexico to cover the war on drugs, he receives the news that he is to travel to the Amish country of Oklahoma instead. Before he leaves he asks his beautiful girlfriend, Monica, to marry him when he gets back from his three month assignment there.

Katie Rose has given up on her dream of being an Amish wife and mother of a houseful of children. After the love of her life, Samuel Beachy, leaves the Amish and joins the Englisch world six years prior, a heartbroken Katie Rose feels it is God's call on her life to take care of her widowed brother's children and teach school. Neither Katie nor Zane can stop the undeniable attraction between them, but both know nothing can become of it. Zane is "almost" engaged and Katie is Amish and never the twain shall meet. Especially when Samuel Beachy returns to the community wanting Katie Rose back and Monica says "yes"...

This is my first novel by Amy Lillard, but certainly not my last. She covers some tough issues such as breast cancer, PTSD, and Down Syndrome with finesse, and I found myself alternating between tears and laughter at the trials and antics of the main and secondary characters. Yes, the conclusion was rather predictable as I have read so many Amish books, but the journey there was superb!

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A copy of this book was provided by Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion. 

This book may be purchased through Amazon, DeeperShopping, CBD, and your local bookstore.

GIVEAWAY: Amy Lillard has generously offered a copy of Katie's Choice to one blessed commenter -- winners choice of ebook or paperback! Please remember to leave your email address. 

Bibliotherapy Review of Kelly Long's A Marriage of the Heart

A Marriage of the Heart
by Kelly Long
(Thomas Nelson, 2012)

Five Stars *****

I have read and previously reviewed two of the novellas in this three Amish novella collection.  I purchased my book in CD format.  Excellent narrator.  The two novellas I already reviewed were my favorites in those books.  Following is my review of the last novella in the series--A Marriage of the Heart.

Abigail Kaufman, the most beautiful girl in her Amish community, is also a lonely girl whose mother died leaving the only child with an uncommunicative father.  Joseph Lambert has demons of his own and has only just returned to the community and has only just been received back as a member, staying with physician friends.

SPOILER ALERT
Desperate to leave the emotional neglect she receives at her father's hands, Abigail claims that the handsome bespectacled Joseph has compromised her. Hauled before the church elders, by her father, and confronting Joseph, she is shocked when he submits to marrying her despite him having done nothing wrong.  In fact, it was his deliberate attempt to ignore the beautiful girl that piqued her interest in him. Abi gets another surprise when Joseph offers to come help Mr. Kaufman with his farm.

The married couple now live in the same stifling household Abi has sought to escape.  But little by little, Joseph brings light and love to the farmhouse--from the tiny kitten to engaging his father-in-law through side-by-side work, help the man has solely needed. 

In her characteristic style, Kelly brings thrilling romance to the pages of the novella, too!  But just as Abi and Joseph are really falling in love with each other, his old flame shows up.  And she has something with her straight from the pits of hell.  You can smell the smoke on all this gal's scenes.  Only by submitting to God's will and with the love of his wife does Joseph resist the allure of dropping back into drug use--which almost killed him previously. Addiction is addiction, whether you are Amish or whatever, and Kelly does a great job of describing the pull that drug addiction can have.

Lovely job of weaving a redemptive thread of the relationship between father and daughter and Kelly drops in just enough information to help show how Abi never got to be a child because she took her mother's place around the farm. Many elements in this book that could be used for bibliotherapy. And it is a great read!  Highly recommended.

Kelly's books can be found on CBD, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other bookstores.

Question:  Have you had to deal with drug abuse in your extended family?  How have you coped?

Giveaway: Poor Teresa was sick with flu last week for her own party.  Answer the question and put T by your name if you left her an encouraging comment on her anniversary with OWG post or go leave her a message now and come back!  This book or any of Kelly's books, choice of format to the winner. (Ebook only outside of the U.S.)

Diana Flowers Reviews The Amish Bride by Mindy Starns Clark

The Amish Bride

The Amish Bride
By Mindy Starns Clark & Leslie Gould
Harvest House Publishers, 2012

Reviewed by Diana Flowers


~4.5 stars*****

A Thoroughly Wunderbar Book!

In The Amish Bride, the reader is swept away to beautiful Amish country -- the picture of idyllic living with blooming daffodils, grazing cows in emerald green pastures, and clean clothes flapping in the breeze -- but underneath the guise of tranquility lie secrets, pain, and betrayal.

Ella Bayer is a lovely, young Mennonite woman who wants only to attend baking school, start her own bakery, and become the wife of her Amish sweetheart, Ezra Gundy. Seeking to separate the two, Ezra's family arranges for him to leave Lancaster County to work at a dairy farm in Indiana, although Ella has made it clear that she is willing to join the Amish church.

Meanwhile, Ella's grandmother gives her a book filled with mysterious codes and secrets, and entrusts Ella to crack the code for reasons of her own. To do so gives Ella the perfect opportunity to go to Indiana with Ezra, where the author of the book had lived, and her mammi has prepaid for her to go to baking school there as well. While there, Ella meets Luke, a shy, but kind Amish man and ends up working in close proximity to him.

Upon discovering that the two of them are together, Ezra's family immediately summon him back home, leaving a heartbroken Ella in Indiana. When a mysterious man shows up in Ella and her family's life, and disturbing secrets come to light -- will Ella stay where she is, or return to Lancaster to become Ezra's wife? Will she crack the code in the book and what are the consequences should she do so?...and if she leaves Indiana what of her friendship with Luke? Have they become more than mere friends?

Ok, I'm ashamed to admit it, but this is the first Amish book by Mindy Clark that I have read and I loved it! Although this is the third book in The Women of Lancaster County series it can be read as a stand alone. Her writing technique (I love how she pays so much attention to detail) and storyline is intriguing -- her characters -- all too human. Interspersed with a thread of suspense, and tough topics such as adultery, spousal abuse, and abandonment, this is one not to be missed!

 

The Amish Bride may be purchased at CBD, Amazon, and Lifeway.



Winner this week must be a follower of OTT-WGH. Just go to right of my review and click on to Google Friends Connect to join! Fast and simple! 
Simply put OF after your name if you are a follower, and add your email address unless we know you well (and over time, we hope we do!!!)
Also answer the following question: Have you ever had to forgive someone who betrayed you?

Review of Kelly Long's Arms of Love

Arms of Love
By Kelly Long
(Thomas Nelson, 2012)

This is the first Amish colonial I have seen. I applaud Kelly for tackling this time frame, which is a favorite of mine as the Founder of the Colonial American Christian Writers group, of which Kelly is a member.

 

Bibliotherapy: This book is full of more bibliotherapy uses than any other book I have read so far this year. We have loss of spouse, loss of parent, war, depression, PTSD, murder, love thine enemy/ friendships among enemies, child abuse, and sibling rivalry. For those of us with mental health backgrounds, there is a character whose behavior is consistent with Asperger’s.  Whew, I had to take a break after writing all that!  So, as you can imagine this is not a typical Kelly Long book. These colonial Amish characters are quite angsty and the story fairly dark. This book feels as though Kelly poured herself into it during a difficult time. Thus, the emotion on the page is very real.

Kelly is an amazing romance writer and her characters well developed. I really enjoyed the mature couple romance and I appreciate that Kelly gave us a realistic courtship. I’ve heard too many criticisms of short courtships after the death of a spouse. For this time frame and setting it makes sense. The hero and heroine are perfect for each other.

There is a strong spiritual thread and great explanations of the early Amish society and life.

Caution: I am one of those people who do not want to read violence on the page. While much of the abuse, etc., is kept off the page, there was some.

I read this review as a download through NetGalley via Thomas Nelson Publishers.  I am not required to post a positive review.  My opinions are my own. 


GIVEAWAY: We are giving away a copy of this book or any of Kelly Long's books this week.  Leave a comment to have a chance to win one of her many wonderful Amish books! 

Co-review of Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly Long by Carrie Fancett Pagels with Guest Joleen Hevner

Co-review of Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Carrie Fancett Pagels with Additional Comments by Guest Joleen Hevner



Lilly’s Wedding Quilt 
by Kelly Long
(Thomas Nelson, 2011)


I listened to this book as an audible.com download. This book was my first "read" of Kelly’s  work.  She knocked my socks off (well if it weren't summer when I listened, she would have!) 

Kelly has a beautiful author's narrative voice, gripping story line, great characterization, and the best romantic tension I have seen since Deanne Gist.  Not your average Amish novel! I highly recommend this book and this writer. 


Kelly Long's Lilly's Wedding Quilt is my favorite Amish read ever. But I do not read all the Amish books that come out, I am usually reading colonial or Early American books. However, her writing is in my top five author's writing who I prefer. I was blown away by that audiobook. 


I will likely "sneak" and relisten to it even though I have to keep listening to the comparables that are similar to my own books. Thomas Nelson Fiction is blessed to have her as an author and we are glad to have her in our Colonial American Christian Fiction writers group.


The narrator, Christine Williams, for the audiobook was excellent. 


 Bibliotherapy: Lilly’s mother had severe depression  and this was handled well in the story. She received medical treatment and therapy. With the depression. I got a little worried about whether she'd put something really dark in there like kill the mom off and I was SO glad that Kelly Long did not do that! 


I LOVED Kelly Long's dyslexic hero and Kelly really did a fantastic job of weaving that info into her storyline and as a psychologist and with dyslexia in the family I have to say she nailed it.


Joleen Hevner shares: I'm not always fond of jealousies and anger issues that are major plot enhancers, where we have to wade through their wretched personal issues forever. Kelly HAD the issues in her book but took care of them so lovingly and Godly. Would that all families were like that! 



Joleen and I agreed that the only problem with the book is you can't stop reading or listening to the story!!!




Kelly Long books are available on Amazon, CBD, and other book stores.


GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Kelly Long’s books, choice of format.

Audiobook review of Kelly’s Long's Sarah’s Garden

Review of Kelly Long's Sarah’s Garden
A Patch of Heaven Novel 
(Thomas Nelson, 2010)

I listened to this book as a download through audible.com. 


This was a beautiful story, well-written, and a solid romance.  Sarah King loves her garden. She does not fit in well with the other women in the community in that she is not a quilter. While a neighbor has a romantic interest in her, she does not return his sentiments. When she finds herself falling in love with a physician, Grant Williams,  who is not Amish she questions what she should do. Grant's parents have passed away and he is seeking a new beginning.


This was my second listen for Kelly Long’s books and again I was impressed by the freshness in her writing and the passion in the romance.  This is the first book in the series. 

These characters are portrayed as real people with genuine emotions rather than the cookie cutter images seen in some of the Amish books.  Kelly's books are full of believable passion. We had a discussion at Colonial Quills this week comparing her Amish writing to that of Julie Lessman's. Edgy Amish was a term used.


Great set up in this book for the next in the series which I also loved! That review is up tomorrow.

Well done, Kelly!  


Almost all of Kelly's books are available in multiple formats. Kelly's books can be purchased on Amazon, CBD, and other book stores.


GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Kelly Long’s books, choice of format.

Diana Flowers Reviews Arms of Love by Kelly Long

Arms of Love 

by Kelly Long

(Thomas Nelson, 2012)

Check out (click on the following hotlink) Diana's review on Colonial Quills this week!  Colonial Quills is giving away a copy of Arms of Love this week so leave a comment there!


We are giving away a copy of any of Kelly Long's books this week.  Come back and leave a comment if you want. Otherwise we'll see you tomorrow!

Interview Kelly Marie Long

Kelly Long is the author of the new Amish colonial release Arms of Love. I met Kelly through ACFW (She is a member of the MidAtlantic Zone of which I am Zone Director), Colonial American Christian Writers, and God brought us together!

Kelly, welcome to Overcoming Through Time.  Would you share either the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help, or the most tragic situation or circumstance one of your character’s has had to get past? 

My mother died on Feb. 22, 2011 at 2:30 AM. My fingers were on her pulse. It will always be the most dramatic loss of my life. But, God was and is glorified. Grief is the last gift of love. I miss her so much that only time will lessen the pain or shape the pain into something that I can handle, accept, and believe…But Got still be praised!


CFP: Kelly we at OTT-WGH are sorry for your loss.  Both Diana and I lost our mothers in the last two years. We pray God will bring you peace as you work through your grief.

What is your favorite bible verse and why? 


“I will lift up mine eyes to the hills from whence my Redeemer cometh.” It is a verse that sees beyond the immediate, the pressure, pain, and loss of the moment. And I know that it is absolutely true!

Disability friendliness:

I do believe that they are all available in alternative formats. My dad is traditionally illiterate…he needs the listening versions!


CFP: I have listened to Kelly's books on audio through audible.com

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?

Time is not linear for God. He can redeem and reshape a past that we cannot touch on our own. This is important because so many people think “they’re too bad for the Cross.” But the Cross is the greatest power of all time until Christ returns.

As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?


I learned how much the Amish truly suffered in Europe…they were literally burned in the streets for their faith. This is why the Amish respond to violence with compassion—because they have suffered so themselves. It is a brave stance.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation? 


Arms of Love is about breaking the cycle of generational violence and abuse, PTSD, and making difficult choices.

Thank you Kelly for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!


Kelly Long's books are available on Amazon, Christian Book Distritbutors , and other book stores.

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Kelly Long’s books, choice of format.

Diana's Corner - Review of The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall

The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall

5 stars~ *****

(Doubleday, Random House Audio 2011)

  

Bittersweet Christmas Romance!

Bestselling author, Cindy Woodsmall has crafted another heartwarming, yuletide treasure; replete with Amish buggy rides and knee-deep snow, Christmas singings and weddings, and, of course, unrequited love! Mattie Eash, a young Amish woman and Gideon Beiler have loved one another their whole lives, and it is no surprise to everyone when they announce their engagement. But, on Christmas Eve, Gideon cruelly ends their engagement, after Mattie finds a lovely Englisch woman in his arms. Heartbroken, Mattie flees to Ohio, and pursues her dream of opening a cake decorating shop. She finds a new beau; one that is comfortable for her to be with, and a man who Mattie can trust.

Three years have passed and Mattie is forced to return to Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania, and is determined to avoid Gideon at any cost. When Mattie is forced into a confrontation with Gideon, will he realize the suffering that his deceitfulness and dishonesty has caused? What secret is Gideon harboring, and will Mattie ever be able to forgive him from the heart, even though forgiveness is the Amish way? Why DID he break Mattie's heart on that fateful Christmas Eve and turn to the arms of another?

This was a truly wonderful read guaranteed to keep the reader turning those pages until the conclusion. Cindy Woodsmall is one of the best authors of Amish fiction today, and her realistic plots and characters make for a "can't put down" read! This book dealt with some of the harsh realities of life, and you will read it with eyes filled with unshed tears and a box of tissues; albeit there are plenty of scenes to curve your lips up into a smile as well! So grab a cup of hot chocolate, snuggle up near the fire, and get lost in an Amish winter wonderland!


Formats: Hard cover, ebook, CDs and audio download. (click to purchase)


GIVEAWAY:  We are almost there to our celebration of our Lord's birthday.  Leave a comment on this book review for a giveaway of a Christian fiction Christmas book. 

Review of An Amish Christmas - December in Lancaster County

An Amish Christmas - December in Lancaster County
by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Barbara Cameron and Kelly Long
(2009 version without Kelly Long's novella, 2010 expanded to include, 2011 audio version)


I listened to this book via a download from http://audible.com. My favorite novella was Kelly Long's Christmas Cradles.  I also enjoyed Beth Wiseman's A Choice to Forgive.  However the other two novellas were thin on characterization and story line and I was quite disappointed in the listen.


The narrator was mediocre at best and mispronounced many words.  The ratings on audible.com are low (3's) because of the two novellas that were lacking and because of the poor narration.  However, two of the stories were strong.  Kelly Long's novella was definitely worth reading on its own.  A strong character, an Amish midwife, Anna Stollis, falls for an equally strong handsome and capable young man, Asa Mast,  as they go about delivering babies one stormy Christmas night.  The hero and heroine are in their late twenties. 


Kelly Marie Long is one of my new favorite authors.  She really knows how to craft believable characters and her romances are the best around. Grab this book and curl up by the fire for a great read as Anna and Asa bring new life into the world while beginning their own lives together!


This book is available in multiple formats through Amazon.


Giveaway:  Hardcover copy of this book to one commenter.  Merry Christmas! 

Special Friends Week - Interview with Karen Grassi Vogel

Karen Anna Grassi Vogel is the author of the Amish Knitting Circle Series and Knit Together: An Amish Knitting Novel.

I met Karen when our agent, Joyce Hart, fell and broke her hip. Karen sent an email out to all Joyce’s clients telling them of an e-card service to shower Joyce with cards. Karen is a member of the  ACFW Mid-Atlantic Group, of which I am the Zone Director, and has become our Pittsburgh Area Coordinator. Karen is a Compassion International Representative and we sponsor a boy in Colombia and contribute to a village in Africa through this wonderful ministry, also.  So I am happy to claim Karen as a special friend that we are featuring this week on Overcoming Through Time- With God's Help!

Karen, welcome to Overcoming Through Time.  Would you share either the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help, or the most tragic situation or circumstance one of your character’s has had to get past?

Thank you so much for having me on Overcoming Through Time. I wrote my novel Knit Together: An Amish Knitting Novel after losing my mom and two cousins in 13 months. My mom was 83 and in a four year decline, but my cousin Stacy, age 40, was quickly taken by cancer, and her sister, Renea, age 48, a year later…cancer also. I remember crying, feeling numb and shaking my fist at God.

I visited my Amish friend, Lydia, in Smicksburg, PA. She’d just lost her sister-in-law due to a heart attack, leaving eight children. We talked about grief and loss and I felt she accepted things much better than I did. I wanted to know why my loved ones died. Plain and simple….Lord….why did this happen? But the Amish don’t ask why. They have a profound sense of the sovereignty of God. When a buggy accident happens, or other tragedies, they seem to know they’re in the palm of God’s hand and everything is going to be alright. They shed lots of tears like we do, but they have an inner knowing that God is in control. So, I’m Ginny in my book Knit Together, and Lydia is Katie Byler. We live across the street from each other and I learn about grief the Amish way.

I also learn to knit in the book, and I’ve come to see knitting is a gift from God because it’s really good for your mental health!  The idea to do my Amish Knitting Circle series came to me when I was doing research on Amish spirituality. I had a long chat with an eighty year old Amish woman who helped start the Smicksburg Amish settlement. When I said I had to leave to go to knitting class, her eyes glowed; she told me she was a yarn spinner in her younger days. I asked if she could knit, and she said, “Oh, yes.” I didn’t know the Amish knit, but found they do and find great comfort in all the fabric arts: crochet, knitting, embroidery, needlepoint, and sewing. They do many crafts to relax, just like us English women do.

 What is your favorite bible verse and why?

      The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me

      to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted

      and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. Isaiah 61:1 (NLT2)

This verse is just full of hope. I first started meditating on it when my dad passed away, on Christmas Day, sixteen years ago. I was brokenhearted and clung to this scripture. At first I focused on He came to comfort the brokenhearted and then I started to see how Christ wants to set captives free. So, my husband and I started getting involved with poverty ministry. We’ve been volunteer advocates for Compassion International for thirteen years now. Third world poverty is cruel, especially to children, and we hope to make a difference…to see these children set free through knowing Christ’s love and meeting their basic needs.  

Disability friendliness: My books are on kindle and Nook or any electronic device. I have a kindle and can make it large print and it’s also voice activated. Really love my kindle.

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?

My greatest hope for my book though is people will realize you don’t have to be Amish to be happy. I have a town full of people, half Amish and half English, similar to the town I lived in in Upstate NY. We saw people wanting to turn Amish, and Amish wanting to be English. 


I came to realize that peace is found in Christ alone. But lately, the Amish have been bombarded by folks who ask, “How can I become Amish?” Here’s advice one Amish man put in the Budget, an Amish newspaper:

“If you admire our faith, strengthen yours. If you admire our sense of commitment, deepen yours. If you admire our community spirit, build your own. If you admire the simple life, cut back. If you admire deep character and enduring values, live them yourself."

I put this quote in Knit Together, and show how Ginny and James Rowland change their life radically after following this advice. So I show a family who doesn’t turn Amish, but gleans a lot from them. I hope readers can do the same. 

As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

The Amish view shunning as a loving act. I was told that if a shunned person came back to the community, and repented of their sin, even after being away for a decade or more, they would forgive and forget. The person would be reinstated into fellowship immediately. They also never stop praying for shunned people.  

Also, after knowing Amish families for twenty years, I didn’t know how much faith it took to live in community. They have to trust God daily to be content to live in their “Colonial” lifestyle. They see the modern conveniences and are always trying to figure out which ones to adopt and which ones will make their lives too fast paced. I was shocked that church members voted annually on matters such as allowing gas stoves, indoor plumbing etc. They don’t take a final vote until everyone is in agreement, or at least not upset about the decision.

I have to really watch what I say in front of the Amish, because I don’t want to make them feel the grass is green in English pastures. For example, when getting peaches from my Amish friend, she talked about how long it took to put up all her fruits and vegetables. I said I got a FoodSaver and all I did was slice, dice, throw stuff in a bag, push a button, and viola, I am done. As soon as I said this I saw her teenage daughters gawk at me. They just couldn’t believe it, and once again, I felt like I had to apologize for bringing discontent into their home.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?

Well, my characters have many problems. Joseph has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, since he was in NYC during 9/11. He’s also a former drug addict who went through Celebrate Recovery. Ginny’s in grief and going through the empty nest syndrome, and learns the whole Serenity Prayer used in Twelve Step Programs. I have an Amish man, Judah, who is shunned but comes back to the community and lives with the Baptist preacher who counsels him; Judah’s an ACA; adult children of alcoholics. Eli Hershberger, is actually my first Amish friend, Harry Hershberger. His buggy was hit and he became a paraplegic. I tried my hardest to portray Harry accurately because to me, he is as inspirational as Joni Erickson Tada.  Also, Christmas deals with holiday depression, since I feel qualified to write about that.

Thank you Karen for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!


GIVEAWAY:  This week we are giving away Christmas books every day.  It will be a secret until each night but the books are Christian fiction releases from within the past two years.  Leave a comment for a chance to win!