Thursday, August 5, 2010

Giveaway and Author Interview: The Way to a Man's Heart OR Sarah's Christmas Miracle

Please help me welcome my guest today, Mary Ellis. Mary has offered to one of the commenters their choice of The Way to a Man's Heart or Sarah's Christmas Miracle. Be sure and read to the end to find out how to enter.

Tell us a little about yourself!

I grew up close to the eastern Ohio Amish community of Geauga County, where my parents often took me to farmers’ markets and woodworking fairs. My husband and I now live within the largest population of Amish in the country–a four-county area in central Ohio. We love to take weekend getaways to purchase farm produce and other goodies, stay with Amish families in bed and breakfasts, attend country auctions and enjoy the simpler way of life.



1: How long did you write before you were published?
I wrote for about 8 years before my first book was published. Like many authors, I have a stack of rejection letters in my office to look at on rainy days. The pathway of a writer is very humbling.

2: When you held that first book in your hands, what was your first thought?
My first thought was “I wish my mother could have lived long enough to see this.” She was very proud of me in other ways, but she thought writing was a whim or a pipedream for me...a passing fancy like yoga or container gardening, but that I would soon come to my senses.

3: What are you working on now?
I am working on a two-book series set in Wayne County, Ohio. The first involves an Amish midwife in which the birth goes horribly wrong and she runs afoul of the law. It involves the themes of grief, growth within a marriage, and tests of faith. But it also includes a light-hearted romance between two very unlikely people. It will be released in March of 2011.

4: Where can readers find out more about your books?
Readers can read the first chapter of my novels at my blog-site....www.maryeellis.wordpress.com

5: What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?
Life always involves changes and decisions, and many of those will not be easy. We often must give up the known-and-comfortable in our lives and chance the unknown-and-scary to reach our personal dreams. But if we remember who truly is in charge and surrender the outcome to Him, we won’t struggle quite so hard.

6: What are two things that people wouldn't normally know about you as a writer and or person?
I have no fear of crawly things. I have swum with sharks, rescued spiders in my house to the outdoors, I have a bat house on my barn, and I once volunteered as a snake demonstrated at the zoo where I wrapped a boa constrictor around my shoulders. But before anyone thinks me brave, I am afraid of thunder storms, long tunnels and clowns.

Thank you for being with us today. Any final words for readers?
Yes, thanks so much for being readers! Without you, writers would have no reason to sit down every morning in front of their computers.

Blessings,
Mary Ellis
...because life runs on faith

Okay readers, here is your chance to enter to win  your choice of either, The Way to a Man's Heart OR Sarah's Christmas Miracle (sorry the photo is so small)

PLEASE LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS! If I draw your name and there is no email, YOU WILL NOT WIN!
For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber
And a NEW one (only ONE for extra entries):
~Take my blog button
~If  you do not have a blog, feel free to tweet or facebook this giveaway.
Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.
Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on August 20th.

69 comments:

  1. I enjoyed reading this interview and the opportunity to learn about a author that I am not familiar with. Please enter me in the drawing.

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

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love Mary Ellis and would love a chance to win Sarah's Christmas Miracle!

    Blessings
    Michelle V
    michellevasquez2001[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am a follower.

    Blessings
    Michelle V
    michellevasquez2001[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am a subscriber.

    Blessings
    Michelle V
    michellevasquez2001[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am a follower

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

    ReplyDelete
  6. I added your button to my blog.

    Blessings
    Michelle V
    michellevasquez2001[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am a subscriber

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

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Casey,

    I enjoy reading your blog, and meeting new authors, as well as those I am familiar with through your interviews with them.

    I have your button on my blog.

    ~Tammi
    OurHomeschoolingPilgrimage.blogspot.com

    dandtdearing@myfairpoint.net

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am also a follower of your blog.

    ~Tammi
    OurHomeschoolingPilgrimage.blogspot.com

    dandtdearing@myfairpoint.net

    ReplyDelete
  10. I also am subscribed to your blog.
    Please enter me into the drawing for The Way to a Man's Heart.

    ~Tammi
    OurHomeschoolingPilgrimage.blogspot.com

    dandtdearing@myfairpoint.net

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm a follower, and I'll be putting ur blog button on my blog!!!

    Rae Byuel
    raebyuel(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Mary is a new author to me and I hope to read one of her books soon. I enjoyed the interview and love being able to picture her now. By the way, I think I have all the fears she conquered!

    Thank you for the chance to win one of her books.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm a follower.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  14. I also subscribe to this blog.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  15. I like that the author writes about something she knows well. I love fiction but I like it to be 'real' I love Amish books. ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I subscribe by e-mail. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Public Follower on Google Friend Connect Thanks for the extra entries. ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. a great review/posting...thanks for the chance to read mary's novels :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm a follower and I would love to win one of Mary Ellis' books.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh, both those books look wonderful. Thanks for the giveaway offer.

    ABreading4ufn [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm a follower
    ABreading4ufn [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  22. subscriber
    ABreading4ufn [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great interview! :) I love this line: "The pathway of a writer is very humbling." That's a great idea to keep in mind for those of us aspiring authors! ;)

    I would love a chance to win one of her books!

    I'm a follower!

    ~Amber

    stokes[dot]a[at]suddenlink[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  24. I would love to read "The Way to a Man's Heart".

    Thank you for a great intereview.

    I am a GFC follower and an e-mail subscriber.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'd love to win either book!
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I would love a chance to win either book but I'm partial to books written during the Christmas season.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am a GFC follower.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I am an email subscriber.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'd like to read Sarah's Christmas Miracle :)

    I am a follower.

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm a follower and an email subscriber.

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'd love to read both of these books! Please enter me in your giveaway. Thank you.

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love your books Mary...my copy of "The Way To A Man's Heart" arrived the other day..can't wait to read it!
    Please enter me in this giveaway!!
    Maureen

    ReplyDelete
  33. Sarah's Christmas Miracle would be great.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Mary Ellis is a wonderful writer and I would have to choose The Way to a Man's Heart!

    Blessings,
    Mollydedwards AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I am a follower!

    Blessings,
    Mollydedwards AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am a subscriber!

    Blessings,
    Mollydedwards AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I have your button on my blog!

    Blessings,
    Mollydedwards AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Please enter me.
    naburcaw@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I am a follower.
    naburcaw@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am a subscriber.
    naburcaw@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I have your button on my blog.
    naburcaw@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I would love to win Sarah's Christmas Miracle. My momma loves Christmas stories! (I do, too!)

    I'm a follower and subsciber.

    I have your button, too.

    bluerosesheart(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I would love to read "The Way to a Man's Heart" Thanks for the chance to win!

    ksmiley2[at]kent[dot]edu

    ReplyDelete
  44. I would like to be entered and I would choose the Christmas book.

    thanks!

    ilovehuckabuck (at) gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I enjoyed your interview very much! Well, except the part about the snakes, (shudder) I am so afraid of them! It sounds like you have lived a full and wonderful life. It would be an honor to win either one of your books.
    Thank you so much for visiting with Casey.

    Casey, I am a follower to this blog & Operation Encourage an Author, I also am a subscriber, & have your blog button on my blog (http://beverlysbookshelf.blogspot.com/)

    Blessings to you both!

    Beverly
    bgrider2@cox.net

    ReplyDelete
  46. Haven't read any of her books before. please enter me
    cparkins14 AT teancum.net

    ReplyDelete
  47. I am a follower.
    cparkins14 AT teancum.net

    ReplyDelete
  48. I am a subscriber.
    cparkins14 AT teancum.net

    ReplyDelete
  49. I am a subscriber.
    augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Great interview. The Way to a Man's Heart and Sarah's Christmas Miracle both sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I liked what Mary said in her interview about the message she wanted clear to her readers. I agree. However...snakes...crawly things...no thanks; but I will take this chance to be entered in the giveaway. Thanks.

    Grace & Joy in Christ,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I would like to entered in the giveaway for "The Way to a Man's Heart." Mary, I love thunderstorms. Thanks for your enjoyable interview.

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I am a follower. I enjoy coming to Casey's blog. Please enter me in the giveaway for "The Way to a Man's Heart." Thank you.

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I am a loyal subscriber to Casey's blog. I've not read Mary's work before and am definitely looking forward to doing so. Please enter me in the giveaway...for "Way to a Man's Heart." Thank you.

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10@tx.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. The synopsis of this book is intriguing and one that I would like to read. Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway.

    steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I'd love to win a copy!

    kate[at]atentforthesun[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  57. please enter me in the drawing.

    avidreader(at)middleswarth(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  58. I am a follower.

    Blessings,
    Kim msjmom@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I am a subscriber too.
    Blessings,
    Kim msjmom@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I loved the interview and would love to win the book.

    Blessings,
    Kim msjmom@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Casey, I follow you here and on Operation Encourage an Author. By the way, I really like this blog. The design and colors are so pretty!

    I also have your button (http://latawniakreviews.blogspot.com)

    And I subscribe to your mailing.

    Carman sent me today.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!

    latawniakintz[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by to post comments on Casey's blog. Your kind words were much appreciated. Casey, thanks so much for inviting me--you sure have a lovely group of readers. Good luck to everyone in the drawing. Blessings, Mary Ellis

    ReplyDelete
  63. This book looks great. thanks for the review/interview
    trishbazin@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. Thanks for this giveaway! I'm a follower.

    allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  65. This is a great giveaway. I enjoyed Mary's interview and would like to read her writings.

    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I'd love to read Sarah's Christmas Miracle!

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I am a new follower.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)