Author Mindy Steele's Harvest of Amish Romances!

Our book garden is full this week, just in time for the end of summer! Author Mindy Steele has stopped by to give us a little peek into her two new Amish romances. I love sunflowers personally, so I cannot stop looking at An Amish Flower Farm's cover! But there is more! Come join me as I chat with Mindy. This garden is full of blooms, and I promise there will be no weeds to pull. And never forget, there's always a book giveaway!

PT: Hello, Mindy! Welcome to the Diamond Mine. Tell the readers what genre you write in and what called you to writing

MS: I currently write Amish romance, but I have a few books being shopped currently in suspense. I don’t want to limit myself. I have so many stories to tell !!!

I have always been writing, somewhere, starting with my mother’s walls. Thankfully, I learned how to better put sentences together and use paper instead. My grandfather was quite the closet poet and very good. I like to think sitting with him nightly, jotting squiggly lines on my notepad while he blended big words together I didn’t know yet, had a huge part in it. I don’t know how to truly answer the question. I think you just know when you are meant for something. If I’m not writing, I’m thinking about writing.

PT: So true. It’s like a calling. So, do you put a Biblical message in your books or does it happen spontaneously?

MS: I always include a verse or three somewhere but not so much as to overwhelm the reader.  Of course, I want to think that my books hold some value to my readers, especially when they feel a connection to one of the characters. But if I only targeted a Christian audience then what kind of impact have I made?

Spontaneously, for sure. I wish I could say I have the entire Bible memorized, but I do not. However, while writing a scene, it simply comes when it needs to.

PT: So, how was your year? Did you manage any vacations in the chaos? If so where and why that location?

MS: No. Last year was a busy writing time for me and even though that doesn’t seem to be slowing down we had planned a vacation in June for our anniversary but that had to be canceled as well. Then my eldest called me up, said, “pack your bags mom,” and he let us tag along with him and his family for four days. We went to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Ate like kings and walked for hours. Then we drove the mountains of North Carolina. (I touched the walls of the Biltmore and walked the gardens for hours). We drove through Virgina, paused at Big Stone Gap, and took the long way home. It was glorious. I had my computer, and believe it or not, only wrote 1000 words the whole trip. I think even my son knew I needed a lot of fresh air and mountain peaks before my book tour began.

PT: Are there any pets that inspire your writing time?

MS: I have no pets, (unless you count chickens) but my children have collected a few over the years that find me to their liking and now seem to be my responsibility.

This is Mira, a dying kitten that I allowed Blake to bring home to die. He was barely breathing when he found him. (That was 7 years ago). He inspires me to practice patience. He likes to wait until my fingers are flying over a keyboard to want to go out or eat. He refuses to kill mice, but give him a grasshopper and he is 2 again. He pulls my hair if I sit somewhere too long. We have a love/hate relationship, but we manage.

Jase is my hiking buddy, and also a rescue. His years are catching up with him but these days we just hike a bit slower.

PT: It does seem that animals adopt us! What about food? Tell us your favorite guilty-pleasure dessert.

MS: Blueberry streusel cake. I make it from scratch and can eat the whole thing if no one is supervising.

PT: Which type of retreat would you most enjoy? Would you prefer to be alone or with writing buddies and where would you go?

MS: I’m a mother of four and step-mother to one. We have eight grandchildren and one coming in January. Alone works for me. I came down with a fever while vacationing once and spent the day alone in camp while everyone went water rafting and hiking. I drafted Cicada Season, book three of my Miller’s Creek series, in that day. Imagine what I could do alone in a cabin, by a lake, in autumn? On the flip side, having a large family does give you lots of good writing material. LOL

PT: Share the best book you’ve read recently.

MS: I am an avid reader, so, that’s a hard one. I love all genres and have many favorites. Recently I read Laura Frantz’s newest and WOW!!! I have a small library and find myself very choosey on who gets a place on my shelves. This one has a place.

PT: Does your husband inspire or resemble any of your male characters?

MS: Mr. Steele has certainly inspired a few characters in my books.  Daniel, the man character in His Amish Wife’s Hidden Past, coming out in September, is actually written a lot with him in mind. I have used a few male family members for inspiration to build strong lead characters. I am blessed to be surrounded by so many good men.

PT: Do you utilize a program or a certain procedure for keeping story notes?

MS: I wish. I have tried my hand at plotting and find it takes me twice as long to finish a book. My office literally has notes, hanging from walls and clutter on my desk from multiple projects. I keep a notebook in my car, my purse, and beside the bed. I am constantly writing, usually at the worst time. But I know exactly where everything is, so that’s all that matters.

PT: Tell us a little about An Amish Flower Farm.

MS: I wanted to write a book that was sweet from start to finish without any floods, tornados, or death-defying situation. Love doesn’t always have to be big and daring, sometimes it comes gently. Belinda and Adam’s story is that book. It has all the Hallmarky feels with an ending that will have you swooning.

Of course we get to watch a shy woman bloom while a busy man learns to slow down and…smell the flowers. Adam helps coax Belinda out of her shell when they strike a deal to help one another out. He also learns that nothing is planned in this world and that he cannot do everything himself. There are other characters that will have you laughing out loud and a few scenes that will have you surprised. Bee charmers do exist!!!

PT: You also have another book, His Amish Wife’s Hidden Past coming out in September. Give a sneak peek into this upcoming release.

MS: I actually made a joke with one of my dear friends after reading a few new releases circulating that I should write an Amish witness protection story. We both laughed. Funny how that works because she has read everything I have written and this is her favorite.

Daniel Raber is a solid hero, the handsome loner who needs no one and nothing. He owns his own lumber mill and of course catches a few single women’s eyes. He was born Amish, but grew up in the English world. Having that world take all he ever cared for, Daniel returns home to Miller’s Creek and his Amish community and bishop uncle. Life was steady and calm, until us marshals drop a woman and three little girls at his doorstep.

Englischer Hannah Raber will do anything to protect her children when they are sent into witness protection—even marry her late husband’s brother. Learning to be an Amish wife is a big adjustment, especially since she’s determined to keep an emotional distance. But as her girls bond with Daniel, Hannah can’t help but wonder if strangers from different worlds can turn a convenient marriage into a forever love…

Becoming an Amish wife is her only option...

PT: Tell the readers how you research and obtain background for writing Amish novels.

MS: I base all of Amish novels locally, with exception of An Amish Flower Farm which was birthed from a small area in South Whitley, Indiana. I often take pictures of family farms and am currently making a mural on my office wall to help me not lose track of roads and structures. Each story is completely born of my healthy imagination. I live near the local Deacon, and he gives my spelling of Swish Dutch and Pennsylvania Dutch the check of before I write them.

PT: What are you working on right now?

MS: I actually have three books going at once. It’s crazy I know, but the process works for me. I draft a story, set it aside, and when I get back to it, it’s with fresh eyes. I’m finishing the draft for a third book about Daniel’s Daughters series, which is currently being shopped and writing a new book for Love Inspired. I have a draft for a contemporary about an Alzheimer’s patient and the family who doesn’t know her. And yes, I am currently tweaking a second Hallmark book. (You’re the first to know this formally) Everyone agrees, Tabitha needs her own story.

PT: Tell us 5 things about Mindy Steele that have nothing to do with writing.

MS:

I have a deep sinful relationship with coffee.

I write for sometimes 9 hrs. a day and never less than 4 on a busy one.

I’m a binge watcher. I seldom watch TV but when I do, I want the whole series in a day or two.

I hate shopping. It is absolutely the most irritating adult responsibility I have. If ClickList actually gave you what you ordered, I would order everything to keep from shopping. 

I love fishing and hiking. I seldom get to do either these days, but hope to catch up doing them again soon.

PT: And that's wrap! Thanks, Mindy. We enjoyed getting to know you better, and we can't wait for your next "produce." (Sorry, you know I can't resist!)

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And Mindy is giving one fresh volume from her harvest of great books! 

An Amish Flower Farm is up for grabs. 

All you have to do is leave a comment and your email address. (You can leave your name and email address on our contact form on the left~Contact the Miners Here~if you prefer a little more security.) One person will be selected for the giveaway. Please comment! We need 5 people to constitute an official giveaway!

Thanks for joining us! Don't forget to:

Mindy's Bio:

Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele has been writing since she could hold a crayon against the wall. Inspired by her rural surroundings, her books are peppered with humor, and sprinkled with grace, charming all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy ever after ending. Mother of four, Steele enjoys coffee indulgences, week end road trips, and researching her next book.  Represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency, she has four debut novels releasing in 2021. To Catch A Hummingbird from Vinspire, An Amish Flower Farm with Hallmark Publishing, Christmas Grace with Entangled, and His Amish Wife’s Hidden Past with Harlequin’s Love Inspired imprint. 

Author links: 

https://mindysteeleauthor.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/mindy.h.steele

https://www.instagram.com/msteelem07/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14181261.Mindy_Steele

https://twitter.com/mindysteele7

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I hope you enjoyed this interview! Please follow Peggy Trotter and subscribe to her newsletter @https://www.peggytrotter.com/. P.S: Don't miss her new Release, The Misfit Bride.

Lori A. is the winner of the book giveaway from last week! Congrats! Olivia Rae has a book for you. Please leave your email in the contact form so we can contact you concerning your prize!