I’m so happy to be here at Writerspace sharing Pine Creek Courtship, my debut Amish romance with you. For many years I wrote young adult romance. I loved the sweet innocence of falling in love for the first time. I wrote over a dozen novels in the genre and enjoyed every bit of my time doing so. But when my last young adult romance released a few years ago, I realized something. My laugh lines seemed a little deeper. My knees seemed to creak a little louder. I was a long way off from my teenage years. I decided it was time to move on. But to what? I had spent so long writing for young adults, I didn’t know where to go from there.
I started reading contemporary romances, assuming that would be the logical next step. Soon, I was in a reading rut. On a whim, I grabbed an Amish romance off a display case at the local library. For no real reason other than I really loved the pretty cover. I brought it home and devoured it. From there, I was hooked. I started bringing Amish romances home by the stacks. I loved exploring the depth of their faith. I loved how faith, family, and community always came first. Though technically a contemporary novel, the world of the Amish was so intriguing it felt like stepping into another world every time I opened the cover of a new book. I was mesmerized by the language, the clothing, and the set of rules each community must follow.
When I grabbed that first book, I had no idea how impactful it would be. I was simply looking to switch up my TBR pile. I hadn’t intended anything more than that. But as I read one book after another, my mind started spinning out ideas of my own. I realized in all the books I’d read, not one had taken place in my home state of Minnesota, where there are actually several Amish communities. I decided I needed to remedy that straight away, and the idea for Pine Creek Courtship was born.
This book is unlike anything I’ve ever written. I spent countless hours researching the Amish faith. I drove through Amish communities, visited Amish markets. I enjoyed trying my hand at creating a few Amish recipes. I relished getting lost in my characters’ lives.
In this crazy busy world that we live in, I think we can all learn a bit from the Amish. I know most of us would benefit from slowing down. Turn off those electronics. Devote a little more time to family and friends. Dig a little deeper into your faith, whatever that may be. Take some time to make a homecooked meal and enjoy it with those you love.
I think the allure of Amish romance is that it focuses on simpler things. It steps away from the hustle and bustle of our modern day lives. It moves the focus to those things that really matter: Faith, family and community.
I had so much fun writing this book, I hope a few of you will enjoy reading it!
Love may be right around the corner in the heartwarming, sweet, and gentle Pine Creek series from Amity Hope.
After the death of her beloved father, Emma Ziegler just wants to keep her family’s maple syrup farm afloat and raise her two young siblings. But when her meddling aunt’s first choice of a husband for her turns out to be Emma’s last choice—Pine Creek’s most notorious bachelor—Emma grows desperate. Her aunt won’t listen, no matter how much she tries to tell her the man in no way embodies the Amish values of faith or hard work.
Kind and industrious Levi Bontrager has always wanted to protect his best friend Emma, even after a secret from their youth left them growing apart. Which is why he steps in to claim that Emma cannot wed anyone else, as she is currently courting him. Yes, the small lie leaves him feeling guilty, but Levi’s hope is that if he can win back the beautiful Emma’s trust, he can also win over her heart…for real.
But can a courtship that began just for show ever blossom into a true romance that could save both their futures?
