Monday, June 13, 2011

Giveaway and Author Interview: Abigail's New Hope

Welcome back to Writing for Christ, Mary Ellis I am excited to have you here for a second time. J
What has changed in your writing life since you were last here?
I am trying to navigate the world of FaceBook since my last time here. I know that’s old-hat for most people, but not for me. Right now I’m trying to get my own page without having to sign in from my niece’s “fanpage”. I hope by the time this interview comes out, I will have mastered what should be an easy “lesson.”
What recent read stood out to you as truly spectacular?
I recently finished “A Midwife’s Story” by Penny Armstrong and Sheryl Feldman. I picked this book up primarily to help with research for “Abigail’s New Hope” but it turned out to be a delightful story! Truly a fast-paced book written by real-life midwives.
Do you have favorite authors?
Too many to list, but I’ll try…I love Kaye Dacus, Trish Perry, Hilary Manton Lodge, Mindy Starns Clark, Beth Wiseman, Vannetta Chapman, Amy Clipston, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Kathleen Fuller, and all the other Amish fiction writers.
What do you find the most enjoyable part of writing or connecting with readers?
I love to get emails and blog-posts from my readers when they share what’s going on in their lives. I love to write, but spend far too many hours locked away in my office alone. When readers personally connect, I feel I’m part of a bigger picture.
What do you find the most ideal atmosphere for writing? Do you ever get those surroundings? J
I love to write outdoors, and yes, when weather permits I take my laptop out to my picnic table on the deck. I would love to write on the beach…but so far that’s never happened. Wish me luck for someday writing with the waves rolling in and tickling my toes.
Okay, something fun for those writers out there: In what point of your writing career did you surprise yourself by writing the most words ever in the shortest amount of time?
I was away from home—without all those distractions. It was just me and my story. I just kept writing and probably finished six or seven pages in one sitting. That doesn’t happen too often. Too many things in life break the flow. 
Thanks for being here again! It has been a joy and we wish the very best with your novels.
Thanks so much for inviting me. It’s always a pleasure to visit your blog!
Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Mary's latest book, Abigail's New Hope
Please leave an email adddress! 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:
"Like" Mary's page on Facebook


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 June 24th.

72 comments:

  1. First commenter..I'll never win ;0)

    I just recently discovered Kaye Dacus and Amy Clipston and LOVE reading their books! I have been waiting to read Abigail's New Hope. I love Amish fiction adn this one sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway.

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  2. I'm a follower and subscriber :)

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  3. I have heard so much about Mary Ellis' books from a good friend at church! Thanks Casey for the interview!

    Please enter me
    crazi.swans at gmail.com

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  4. My son and his family live in Lancaster, PA, near Amish neighbors. It is beautiful country.

    Thanks for this interview.

    Connie Walsh Brown
    sequoiajoy@gmail.com
    www.SequoiaThoughts.blogspot.com

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  5. I am a follower of this blog.

    Connie Walsh Brown
    sequoiajoy@gmail.com
    www.SequoiaThoughts.blogspot.com

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  6. Thanks for the giveaway :D

    blissfulrains(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  7. Following :D

    blissfulrains(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  8. Thank you for the entry! I'm not a blogger, but an avid reader and when I saw Mary Ellis's name I had to comment and hope for a chance at winning her new book. I recently got to meet Mary Ellis at our library, and listen to her tell us about her books, the inspiration for them and so much more. What a delightful lady...we enjoyed her visit to our little town so much. I was able to get two of her first books, and they are mysteries and wonderful.

    I'm an email subscriber, and enjoy your blog.

    Have a blessed day!
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

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  9. Abigail's New Hope
    sound wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.Thanks for the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

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  10. I'm a follower .augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

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  11. I'm an email subscriber. augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

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  12. Would love to win Abigail New Hope. Please enter me in the drawing.

    Debbie Clark
    debbiemcl[at]msn[dot]com

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  13. I am also an email subscriber.

    Debbie Clark

    debbiemcla[at]msn[dot]com

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  14. Hey, Casey!

    Don't know what took me so long to become a follower on your blog, but I'm here now! :o) I'd love to sign up for Mary's giveaway, too, please.

    Christy
    southernsassythings at gmail dot com

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  15. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

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  16. I love reading amish books and this one sounds pretty good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  17. I love reading Mary's books and would love to add this one to my collection.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  18. Please include me. I'd love to win!

    I'm a follower and a subscriber.

    Doreen
    priviesandprims at yahoo dot com

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  19. Enjoyed getting to hear more about you, Mary! Thanks for the interview, Casey!

    browncarole212(at)yahoo(dot)com

    http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

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  20. A wonderful interview.
    Would love to win and read "Abigail's New Hope".
    Please enter me into the drawing. I am a follower, subscriber and I "Like" Mary's FBook page.
    Thank you for the chance.
    wdesirees[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  21. I LOVE books by Mary Ellis and would love to win this new one.
    k_hanns@yahoo.com

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  22. I've haven't read any of your books yet, but I look forward to reading this one. I love reading about the Amish!

    hannyk4077@yahoo.com

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  23. I love amish stories and Abigail's New Hope sounds like a book I would love to read.
    Great interview.
    Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us Mary.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  24. I am an old GFC follower

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  25. I am an old email subscriber

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  26. I have read some of your books. A very good writer. I love to read about the Amish. Am looking forward
    to reading this one.

    Sandra King

    sandrad67@gmail.com

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  27. I liked Mary's FB page(Brenda Hill) and left comment

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  28. This looks good. Please enter me.

    krhmoseslake(at)gmail(dot)com

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  29. I'm a follower!

    krhmoseslake(at)gmail(dot)com

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  30. I'm a subscriber!

    krhmoseslake(at)gmail(dot)com

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  31. Love all your books Mary...Please enter me for a copy of Abigail's New Hope.

    rgrossbier@cinci.rr.com

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  32. I would love a chance to win this great book!!

    I am also a follower
    and a subscriber!! Thanks!

    kcmelone at yahoo dot com

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  33. Every morning after talking with the Lord my heart is filled with new 'Hope' living for Him. What a wonderful name for a new book. I hope to win it so I can read "Hope." Thanks.
    karenjojo@tds.net

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  34. I'm a HUGE fan of Amish fiction, and this book looks great! Please enter me!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  35. I'm a follower!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  36. I'm a subscriber!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  37. I liked Mary's page on Facebook!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  38. Interesting book blurb. Continued blessings. vanessaajohnson@hughes.net

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  39. I have read almost all Mary Ellis books and really enjoy them. Thanks and keep them coming.

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  40. I have read almost all of Mary Ellis' books and really enjoy them.. Keep them coming. Thanks
    mamawto10@yahoo.com

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  41. "Abigail's New Hope" is a book that I would love to read. Thank you for the opportunity to win this great book.

    lovetoread205[at]gmail[dot]com

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  42. I am a GFC follower.

    lovetoread205[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I am an email subscriber.

    lovetoread205[at]gmail[dot]com

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  44. Please enter me in this giveaway I love reading Amish stories. Thanks for offering such a great giveaway. saradawson09 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  45. I'm now a new follower.
    Saradawson09 (@) yahoo ( dot) com

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  46. I have not been lucky enough to read one of your books yet. I actually just stumbled across your name today. I do look forward to reading something by you very soon.
    MLissaFord@aol.com

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  47. Thanks for the interview. Mary, if you go to the beach to write, take me with you!

    Cindy
    cindy at cindyswriting dot com

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  48. I love Mary's books and would love to have this one too!!
    Blessings.....Joy
    ibjoy1953{at]yahoo[dot]com

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  49. I love Mary's books and would love to have this one too!!
    Blessings.....Joy
    ibjoy1953{at]yahoo[dot]com

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  50. I love reading Amish literature, it is almost as if the books are guaranteed to be great!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  51. I am a follower of your blog.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I am an e-mail subscriber of your blog. That way I never miss a post.


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  53. I liked Mary Ellis's Facebook page.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  54. thanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  55. i'm a subscriber :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. i'm a follower :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I would love to read this.
    gardnerad@juno.com

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  58. I just subscribed and am looking forward to learning about more books. I cannot afford to buy books, so I support our small local library. Even though they have just expanded, the selection is still limited. I would love to win this book!
    vlf1950atfrontierdotcom

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  59. I love reading Amish fiction and Mary is a new author to me. I would love to win this book.

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

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  60. I'm a subscriber

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladij040(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I'm a follower

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

    ReplyDelete
  62. I love Amish Fiction.

    vickieebennett@yahoo.com

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  63. I love reading Amish books and I am getting my friends reading them too.

    judgejudy11111111@yahoo.com

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  64. Just got my Kindle recently, and it's made reading so much easier and I take it with me everywhere I go. I LOVE Amish Fiction. It is my absolute favorite read!! No worries about whether it will be appropriate reading. I can relate and find the whole genre fascinating!! God Bless!!

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  65. Looks like a great read!
    I'm a follower and a subscriber!
    I "liked" Mary's page on FB! ;)
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  66. Thanks so much, Casey, for featuring me on your super-duper blog. I will now be a subscriber. Why didn't I do this the last time??? And thanks to all your great readers who took the time to post a comment. And especially to those who dropped by my FaceBook page. I'll be going there later today. Yours is one of the best blogs I have even seen. many blessings on you and your readers!
    Mary Ellis

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  67. Amish Fiction is by far my favorite genre, and this looks fabulous, thanks!

    kpuleski at gmail dot com

    http://practicalfrugality.blogspot.com/

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  68. I like Mary's Facebook page

    kpuleski at gmail dot com

    http://practicalfrugality.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  69. I follow in GFC!
    Best wishes and thanks for a chance to win this fantabulous giveaway!
    Chanticlear1(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I'm an email subscriber, too!
    Best wishes and thanks for a chance to win this fantabulous giveaway!
    Chanticlear1(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  71. The only thing better than meeting and talking with this author is reading her books. Sandy Wolf

    ReplyDelete

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