People often ask me where I get my story ideas. They come to me in different ways, but the source is always the same: God, of course.

I’m starting a new Amish series, and I’m super excited to be venturing into new territory—Indiana. Mum’s the word on the actual setting, but I can tell you that I visited some very unique and authentic Amish communities. I interviewed several people who I met through folks I already know in Indiana.

As you know, the Plain People don’t like to have their pictures taken, but they were gracious enough to let me take photos in their homes and surrounding areas. Here are a few pictures to whet your appetite for my new series…

Since I’ve been back from that research trip, I’ve been getting to know my characters (meeting them in my head), setting the stage for the story, and entire scenes are playing out in my mind. This is what happens when I start a new project. But something has been missing—the message.

What does God want me to tell readers? Why will a reader be walking down the aisle of a bookstore and reach for my book, even though they’ve never read an Amish book? I believe God leads readers to the books for a reason—the message.

Several days ago, I was randomly looking at things on the Internet and a link popped up. I don’t ever remember subscribing to that certain YouTube channel. But I saw the message for my book with the type of clarity only God can provide.

I’m so excited about this new series. It doesn’t even have a name yet. It will be set in an Amish community I’ve never written about. I can’t be sure, but I don’t think any Amish authors have written about this place. It’s hard not to get burnt out when you’ve written as many Amish stories as I have—pushing 40 now. But I am VERY excited about this new series. There will be a lot more to come about this. I thank God for gifting me with the message He wants me to share.

Wishing you all a blessed day! 🙂

Signed copies of An Amish Christmas Love are on sale for $7.99 WHILE SUPPLY LASTS. (Only 60 copies available, and this blog goes out to thousands, so act fast if interested.)

This new release is a collection of novellas by me, Kelly Irvin, Ruth Reid, and Amy Clipston. I will sign it to whomever you choose. Would it make a good Christmas present for someone on your list? 🙂

Grab your signed copy

An Amish Christmas Love

Authors: Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Ruth Reid
Genre: Amish Fiction
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Year: September 12, 2017
Length: Novella collection
ASIN: B01N04ILCK

This four-novella collection features new Amish romances from bestselling authors Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, and Ruth Reid.

About the Book

Winter Kisses by Beth Wiseman

Three generations of Stoltzfus women are all living under the same roof. At twenty-five, Naomi has never been married, and both her mother, Barbara, and her grandmother, Ruth, have recently been widowed. Each nursing broken or lonely hearts, they also each have potential suitors. When a storm on Christmas Eve forces the three couples to take shelter in the basement of the Stoltzfus homestead, secrets are revealed, hearts are opened, and all three potential grooms drop to their knees for very different reasons—a proposal, a prayer, and an epiphany.

The Christmas Cat by Amy Clipston

Emma Bontrager is spending her first Christmas alone after her husband of 45 years, Henry, passed away in July. Although the Amish don’t normally allow animals in their homes, a big, fat, orange barn cat keeps coming into Emma’s house. She shoos the cat away, but it continues to appear in her house, settling on Henry’s favorite wingchair. But the cat isn’t the only Christmas visitor: a group of young people help bring the Christmas spirit to Emma, reminding her that love and hope abide.

Snow Angels by Kelly Irvin

As a young man enjoying his rumspringa, David Byler gave his heart to an Englisch girl, but he eventually realized he couldn’t give up his Plain faith and family for her, so he let her go. He’s found a new love in his Bee County Plain community, Molly Shrock. Molly has been patient, waiting for the man she loves to love her back. Just as he is ready to propose, David makes a startling discover: Bobbie McGregor, his Englisch love, is back. Will Molly’s prayers for a Christmas love be answered?

Home for Christmas by Ruth Reid

When a misdirected GPS sends Ellie Whetstone to the wrong address, she inadvertently finds herself breaking into the home of Amish man, Ezra Mast. Ellie hopes to fix up the house left by her aenti and sell it quickly, but a series of run-ins with Ezra and his young daughter have her questioning whether a hasty sale is the right move. Could this new place with its slower pace be the right home for Ellie?

About the Author

Beth Wiseman

Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Having sold over two million books, her novels have held spots on the Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller List, the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Bestseller List and the CBA (Christian Book Association) Bestseller List. She was the recipient of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011 and 2013. She is a three-time winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and an INSPY Award winner. In 2013 she took home the coveted Holt Medallion. Her first book in the Land of Canaan series—Seek Me With All Your Heart—was selected as the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in Texas.

Many of you who follow me through this newsletter and on various social media platforms know that one of my favorite getaway spots for some serious writing is a friend’s condo in Port Aransas, TX. Hurricane Harvey made landfall on August 25th, 2017 just a couple of miles from this condo. The entire city, as well as this building, sustained a lot of damage, so I won’t be going back there anytime soon. The photos I’ve seen of the aftermath are heartbreaking.

Port Aransas is the setting for my novella, The Shell Collector’s Daughter. My friends and I had some wonderful trips to ‘Port A,’ as the locals call it, for R,R & R — Research, Rest and Relaxation. It’s a special place just right for the special girl in my book.

Carianna’s story is a heartwarming tale which follows one woman’s journey as she navigates the many types of love God gifts to us. You may be able to catch it on sale this month. I’m running price promotions November 2, 16 and 24. 🙂

The Shell Collector’s Daughter

Author: Beth Wiseman
Series: Surf's Up Novellas, Book 3
Publication Year: May 5, 2017
ASIN: B01NC22YE1

“People tell me that I’m special. I don’t see it that way. I’m just different.” - Carianna Marie Sparks

About the Book

Carianna isn’t like other twenty-six-year-old women. She’s never been on a date, never experienced the euphoria of a first kiss, and certainly never been in love. Can a man’s heart speak to hers in a way that she can understand? And if so, will any man believe that she sings with the angels and has tea with God? Will they see the star dust twinkling in her eyes or hear the secret whispers of the ocean in a sea shell?

Dominic is grieving the death of his mother, so he welcomes a job opportunity that takes him to a beach community near the Texas coast. But what begins as a distraction and change of scenery shifts into a healing journey filled with discovery. Amidst his heartache, Dominic finds love in a beautiful and unexpected way when he meets Carianna—the shell collector’s daughter.

But can Dominic convince Carianna’s father to lift his protective wings and allow Carianna to soar into the life that God meant for her? And will Carianna hear Dominic’s heart speaking to hers in a way that she understands?

About the Author

Beth Wiseman

Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Having sold over two million books, her novels have held spots on the Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller List, the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Bestseller List and the CBA (Christian Book Association) Bestseller List. She was the recipient of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011 and 2013. She is a three-time winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and an INSPY Award winner. In 2013 she took home the coveted Holt Medallion. Her first book in the Land of Canaan series—Seek Me With All Your Heart—was selected as the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in Texas.

Other Books in "Surf's Up Novellas"

The Surf's Up Collection

A Tide Worth Turning

Message In A Bottle

Christmas by the Sea

A Tide Worth Turning + Message In A Bottle

Look Inside