WELCOME AUTHOR KELLY IRVIN

WELCOME AUTHOR KELLY IRVIN
Thursday, April 27, 2017 by Patti Shene

FEATURED BOOK: Upon a Spring Breeze

AUTHOR’S NAME: Kelly Irvin

PUBLISHER: Zondervan

GENRE: Contemporary Romance

STAND ALONE OR SERIES: series

TARGET AGE: All ages

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AMISH AUTHOR KELLY IRVIN TO THE OVER 50 WRITER. KELLY SHARES THE THOUGHT PROCESSES THAT LED TO THE CREATION OF HER NEW SERIES, EVERY AMISH SEASON.

KELLY IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR A COPY OF UPON A SPRING BREEZE.

I’ve been writing Amish romances for about ten years now. One of the challenges all writers face is coming up with new and fresh stories. Amish men and women typically marry young—twenty-two or twenty-three. While it’s lovely and very sweet, I found myself wanting to explore romance from a more mature perspective. I’m aging and so are my readers. That’s why I decided to pitch a four-book series to my publishing house in which each book focuses on a different season in a woman’s life. In each case, the woman has experienced love and loss. She has to find her way to her second chance at love. That’s how the series Every Amish Season was born.

The first book, Upon a Spring Breeze, debuted on April 11. It is the story of Bess Weaver, a young Amish woman who had everything she ever wanted, only to lose it all. Here’s the back cover copy:

“After a devastating year, a spring breeze promises more than new flowers.… It promises a new chance at love.

Bess Weaver, twenty and expecting her first child, is in the kitchen making stew for her beloved mann, Caleb, one minute, and the next she’s burying him after a tragic accident. Facing life as a young widow, Bess finds comfort only in tending the garden at an Englisch-owned bed and breakfast—even as she doubts that new growth could ever come after such a long winter.

Aidan tries to repress his guilt over his best friend Caleb’s death and his long-standing feelings for Bess by working harder than ever. But as he spends time with the young son his friend left behind, he seems to be growing closer to the boy’s beautiful mother as well.

When a close-knit group of widows in her Amish community step in to help Bess find her way back to hope, she begins to wonder if Gott has a future for her after all. Will she ever believe that life can still hold joy—and the possibility of love?”

I love Bess’s story, but I’m even more excited about the books to follow because they give me a chance to explore love in the lives of Bess’s circle of widowed friends. Jennie, the mother of seven, who experienced abuse at the hands of her now dead husband. Mary Katherine, a grandmother suffering from empty nest syndrome and unable to let go of the wonderful memories of her first husband so she can love again. Laura, a great grandmother whose perfectly happy life as a widow is turned upside down by a grumpy old man who needs—but doesn’t want—her help.

Being able to incorporate into these stories how our bodies change as we age pleases me. Being able to incorporate our fears of not being found attractive because we sag in places we didn’t use to brings a different nuance to the romance. Our graying hair, our wrinkles, our aches and pains, our experience, our wisdom, our knowledge, all these things mingle to make us desirable in a new and exciting way.

Those are the seasons of our lives and Amish women experience them too. Perhaps in different ways and with different perspectives, but that’s part of what makes them so interesting to me. Every Amish Season honors those changes.

Buy links:

DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN A COPY OF UPON A SPRING BREEZE BETWEEN NOW AND SUNDAY, MAY 7TH AT MIDNIGHT MDT.

Two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist Kelly Irvin is the author of the critically acclaimed Amish of Bee County, Bliss Creek Amish, and New Hope Amish series. Her latest work is Upon a Spring Breeze, the first novel in the four-book series Every Amish Season. Her work has also appeared in two Amish anthologies, An Amish Market and An Amish Christmas. Kelly is a retired newspaper reporter and public relations professional who lives with her husband in Texas. They have two children, two grandchildren, and two cats.

Connect with Kelly:

Comments

Jayne Noble From Oregon At 4/29/2017 11:48:31 AM

Thanks for the opportunity to win a book. This looks like a great series. I enjoy stories about romance for the older generation.

Donna White From Kentucky At 4/29/2017 10:36:36 AM

I would love to read this book. Thanks for the chance to win.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/28/2017 11:44:43 PM

I agree that Kelly has hit on a great idea. We older folks enjoy characters in our age range!

Lucy Reynolds From WV At 4/28/2017 10:18:43 PM

This series sounds amazing. So glad to see this approach to a series, as life doesn't end at age 29. Thank you for the chance. Blessings

Connie Saunders From Hillsboro, KY At 4/28/2017 9:48:59 PM

How refreshing! I love that you have chosen to write about an older woman. Thanks for a great giveaway!

Kathy Wilson From Kentucky At 4/28/2017 9:31:22 PM

I love to read Amish Based books. I was hooked after I read my first one.

Joan Kurth From SD At 4/28/2017 8:53:13 PM

I also like to read books about middle age or older people. Most of the books are geared toward the young and I do enjoy them, too. You don't see that many of the over 50 age.

Jeanine Knight From Flat Rock, MI At 4/28/2017 7:25:09 PM

What a beautiful cover! Thank you for the opportunity.

Tonya Robinette From North Carolina At 4/28/2017 7:05:37 PM

I love the idea for this series! As an over-50 woman, I get tired of reading just romance for the 20-year-olds. Way to go, Kelly!

Karen G. From Troy, NY At 4/28/2017 6:54:26 PM

Looking forward to reading Kelly's new book and series. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of Upon a Spring Breeze.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/28/2017 6:47:50 PM

Hi Virginia. Thank you for your comment.

Virginia Winfield From Iowa At 4/28/2017 6:37:03 PM

I love the cover of this book.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/28/2017 6:19:06 PM

Hi Linda! Thank you for stopping by and entering the drawing.

Linda C C From VIrginia At 4/28/2017 6:16:32 PM

Would so love to win. Yes, definitely over 50, but love these books. Thanks for the opportunity.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/28/2017 6:06:58 PM

Hi Michelle. Thank you so much for stopping by. When it comes to Amish novels, I've heard Kelly writes some of the best.

Michelle Proper From Hamburg, NY At 4/28/2017 3:59:11 PM

Wowsa! Sounds like an amazing read! I am addicted to Amish novels and can't stop! Love this <3

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/28/2017 3:58:57 PM

Hi everyone. I'm in and out today, so hardly have had a chance to approve comments, let alone respond individually. Thank you to all of you for stopping by! Kelly must be a very popular author to have drawn such a response. It is an honor to host her here on The Over 50 Writer.

Christine From Spokane, WA At 4/28/2017 3:44:08 PM

I enjoy your books - thank you having a giveaway ;)

Maryann Skaritka From New York At 4/28/2017 3:22:24 PM

I always love the start of a new series! Amish fiction is my favorite genre to read and Kelly is such a talented author. Her books just keep getting better and better!

Anne Gooch From Whitewater Mo At 4/28/2017 2:59:23 PM

Love the cover and this book sounds so good. I love all your books. I can't wait to get my hands on this one.

Patricia Bond From Delta PA At 4/28/2017 2:23:04 PM

What a nice little write up Looking forward to reading this book (and many more of Kelly Irvin) Thanks for the chance win

Donna Robertson From Pocahontas, AR At 4/28/2017 1:27:55 PM

This looks like a great new series, Kelly. Love to read books that explore finding love at every time of life.

Susan Campbell From GA At 4/28/2017 1:19:38 PM

What a nice giveaway.

Nicole Buchanan From Fairfield illinois At 4/28/2017 12:33:16 PM

I would love to read this new book you just released! Thank you!!

Sparkle From Va At 4/28/2017 11:50:13 AM

The best is yet to come. Each day is a blessing, embrace it. ❤

Lucy Reynolds From WV At 4/28/2017 11:28:57 AM

This series sounds amazing. So glad to see this approach to a series, as life doesn't end at age 29. Thank you for the chance. Blessings

Staci Daugherty From Joplin Missouri At 4/28/2017 11:14:04 AM

Thank you for this opportunity. It will be such a blessing

Jackie Tessnair From N.C. At 4/28/2017 11:13:43 AM

I am so looking forward to reading this book.Thanks for the chance to win it.

Elaine Rieder From Pardeeville, WI At 4/28/2017 11:03:56 AM

Thank you for the chance to win one of your books. Can't wait to read it.

Ola K Norman From Traphill NC At 4/28/2017 11:02:52 AM

Looking forward to reading this series of books .

Kristina Kohler From Utah At 4/28/2017 10:39:18 AM

Upon A Spring Breeze looks like a must read. Love the front cover. Thanks for the chance to win a book. It is Snowing here in Utah Burrrr.

Debbie Rhoades From Yukon, OK At 4/28/2017 10:37:10 AM

Kelly, your books always touch my heart! Thanks for the chance!

Kate Kleinert From Pennsylvania At 4/28/2017 10:36:14 AM

Love is good at any age! There is no age limit to being united to someone through your love for them.

Pam Withrow From Lexington, KY At 4/28/2017 10:32:44 AM

I am looking forward to your new book! I love that you feature characters that are (like myself) a little more mature. Thank you for such wonderful stories.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/28/2017 10:09:33 AM

Amy, Sandy, Goria, Kathy, NIcole. Hi everyone! I usually answer comments individually, but I'm on my way out the door for much of the day. Just wanted to tell you all thank you so much for stopping by and letting Kelly and I know you were here!