Discover more about
Leslie Gould
and her Amish novel
Amish Promises
Bethany House
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A book character that sticks in my mind is… Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. He’s a moral character who does the right thing, over and over, but always in a humble manner. (I had a student write in an essay that Atticus Finch was the first good example he had of what it meant to be a man.)
The last book that made me laugh out loud was… The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. I reread it every couple of years to figure out how the author “did” it—but each time I get so engrossed in the story that I stop analysing and just soak up the story, once again. Anyway, I laugh at the same places each time.
I’m completely immersed in her storytelling, whenever I read a book by… Melanie Dobson. Her latest is The Chateau of Secrets. She does these amazing time slip stories that keep you turning the pages!
The first person who encouraged me to pursue my writing was… I had positive feedback as far as my nonfiction in high school, college, and my early jobs in PR and as a museum curator, but it wasn’t until my late 20s that I started studying fiction. In my first class, the instructor slipped me a folded piece of paper as she returned the first short story I’d submitted. Her note simply read: “This will be published.” The story never was published, but her encouragement gave me the hope I needed to keep writing.
If I wasn’t a writer, I would be… A professor. 🙂 In fact I’ve taught writing on the college level a couple of different times, including this term, and love it!
I write stories because… They help me process life, but always with a happy ending.
Amish Promises
When Joel and Shani Beck arrive at their new home, they’re looking for peace. Shani is thrilled to have Joel back from Iraq, but he needs time to heal, and the quiet of Lancaster seems just the place. They can’t imagine any trouble with their Amish neighbors, the Lehmans, but things get off to a rocky start when their son is involved in an accident that injures one of the Lehman boys.
Eve Lehman has run her brother’s household ever since the death of his wife, but Tim’s a stern patriarch. Despite his protests, she’s drawn to the new neighbor, Shani, and the two begin to form a strong friendship forged on faith and family. Things seem like they’ve quieted down until Joel’s single and handsome army friend Charlie catches Eve’s attention–a man unlike any Eve has ever met. Suddenly life for both families becomes more complicated than any of them could have ever imagined.
My latest novel can be described by these 5 adjectives… Plain, military, simple, complex, suspenseful
My main character is… Eve, an Amish woman in love with an Englisch Army Reserve soldier
My main character resembles…. the woman on the cover of Amish Promises; in fact that is exactly who my main character is. J (I had other ideas in my head until I saw the cover. After that, the model on the front is absolutely Eve.)
My story’s spiritual theme is… love your neighbor as yourself
The most recent tv show I loved was… “Call the Midwife” (although I’m behind on watching it. I need to take a weekend and binge to catch up!). I had two of my babies at home, one before the midwife arrived, and I’ve done a ton of research on the topic. I’m absolutely fascinated by midwifery!
The story I’m currently working on is… Amish Sweethearts, the second in my Neighbors of Lancaster County series.
© Elena Seibert
You may not know this about me, but I… Love church history, especially during the Reformation. An absolutely fascinating time!
I might go all fan girl if I met… Khaled Hosseini, the author of The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and And the Mountains Echoed. Hosseini’s novels helped me better cope with my husband’s deployment to Afghanistan in 2011 to command a field hospital. Soon after my husband returned, we heard Hosseini speak and his message helped my husband as he processed his year in-country. We didn’t have a chance to meet Hosseini that evening, but I would still love to someday.
If I could travel back in time, I’d go to… Scotland, in the early 1860s. My great great grandparents emigrated from Edinburgh to the United States in 1865, arriving by ship in San Francisco the day Abraham Lincoln died. I’d love to go back in time to when they were making their decision to leave their homeland and then journey along with them. Of course I’d return to 2015 and write about their experiences!
I get lost in the music when I listen to… The soundtrack to “Les Miserables.”
A long held dream of mine is… to volunteer to work in an orphanage in a third world country.
Thanks Leslie!
Leslie Gould is the #1 bestselling and Christy Award winning author of twenty novels. She and her husband, Peter, live in Portland, Oregon and are the revolving-door parents of four children and three cats. Besides writing, Leslie enjoys hiking, Shakespeare, traveling, and going to the movies with her hubby on Friday nights. Her latest release is Amish Promises, the first in the Neighbors of Lancaster County series. Find out more at www.lesliegould.com.
Relz Reviewz Extras
Review of Courting Cate
Character spotlight on Cate
Visit Leslie’s website
Buy at Amazon: Amish Promises or Koorong
May 31, 2015 at 1:56 pm
For now a reader. I would love to have the talent to be a writer at some point as well !
May 31, 2015 at 3:08 pm
A reader! I agree with the previous post: I too wish I had the talent of writing. So, I’ll reap the benefits from those who do write.
June 1, 2015 at 7:48 am
I would rather be a reader. I get a lot of enjoyment from it and have a lot of respect for the writers that can draw me in and make me feel a part of the story.
June 1, 2015 at 9:00 am
This is an easy question for me to answer! I’d much rather be a reader than a writer. I’m very content to read the wonderful books and leave the writing to terrific authors such as Leslie. I love to read but find writing rather difficult–even writing reviews of books is hard for me but I’m trying to do more of that. Perhaps it will get easier.
June 1, 2015 at 9:22 am
Definitely a reader ! I admire writers but know I have no talent for it ! I love having the pleasure of reading and being blessed by all the wonderful books I read , so I agree with all the other comments !
June 1, 2015 at 11:10 am
It would be wonderful to be able to bring enjoyment to others through being a writer but I will have to leave this to authors more talented than me. Reading is a joy and a privilege and I choose to remain a reader.
June 1, 2015 at 1:30 pm
A reader! I love when an author’s writing can make me feel like I’m in the story with the characters. I dreamed of being a writer when I was younger though.
June 1, 2015 at 2:26 pm
I prefer to be a reader. I love to write as a hobby, but I will leave the novels to the pros
June 1, 2015 at 2:26 pm
I would have to say a reader. I love to open a book and let my imagination carry me away to where the author takes me. I would love to try and write a book one day.
June 1, 2015 at 2:33 pm
I love being a reader, and getting caught up in a story. I enjoy every minute that I find to read.
June 1, 2015 at 3:43 pm
Hello to Relz and Leslie. Sounds like the beginning of a good series. Leslie, my granddaughter has had several of her 5 kids with Midwives. She was happy she did that. I would love to win your new book. I still am missing Amish Seamstress of that series.Will get it one of these days. Thanks relz for having leslie for an interview. GOD bless you both. Maxie
June 1, 2015 at 3:47 pm
By the way, I would rather be a reader. I have enjoyed writing poems in the past. I would write them in BD and Anniversary cards, etc. Maxie
June 1, 2015 at 5:51 pm
I love reading and immersing myself whole-heartedly into the story. When I think about writing, I worry about losing that aspect.
June 1, 2015 at 9:06 pm
reader is my first…but have been thinking about writing but don’t know where to start
June 1, 2015 at 9:45 pm
Reader since I don’t have the talent to write. That takes very special people.
June 1, 2015 at 10:34 pm
Looks like a great book to read
June 1, 2015 at 11:13 pm
A reader! I love reading Leslie’s books! Awesome interview! Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
June 2, 2015 at 12:17 am
A reader! I have not found one book of Leslie’s that I haven’t love. Very interesting interview!
June 2, 2015 at 12:43 am
I don’t think I could stand the rejection of being an author. All the hard work and then someone says your story isn’t good enough…
June 2, 2015 at 1:53 am
I’m definitely a Reader. It would be so cool to be a writer though. I truly appreciate a good author who can beautifully tell a story.
June 2, 2015 at 2:04 am
Love your books. Looks like another great one coming out.
June 2, 2015 at 8:17 am
o me me want try to win. I just love your books. The cover is amazing
June 2, 2015 at 12:16 pm
I am 100 percent a reader! I love to curl up with a good book and escape with the characters in the story. Just to leave everything around you and live in the book is simply amazing! I think authors work very hard for their fans and I app every minute of it!
June 2, 2015 at 12:18 pm
I prefer to be a reader. I do not have the talent needed to be a good writer.
June 2, 2015 at 12:32 pm
I would love to win this book!
June 2, 2015 at 1:49 pm
I’m much happier being a reader! I’m not really sure that I could write an entire book 😀 I do enjoy a good book by a great author, though! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of “Amish Promises”
June 3, 2015 at 6:44 am
A reader. I just love reading amish books and love picturing myself into the story. I would really love to win this book . it seems so interesting and I want to read it since i joined the navy.
June 3, 2015 at 12:10 pm
A reader.. I don’t have the ability to put words together like the authors I read.. It’s a gift I don’t have 🙂
June 4, 2015 at 3:33 am
love to read books so it would be reader
June 4, 2015 at 4:04 am
I am my mom’s caretaker, She will be 92 come January. Since she is disabled and blind, I read to her all the time. Her favorites are Amish – So I seek anything Amish. THank you for considering me for the book.
June 6, 2015 at 8:18 am
Lorettia Slayton » I love that you read to her, Lorettia! My grandmother passed away in her 90s and she still loved to read. Such a blessing.
June 4, 2015 at 9:05 am
Courting Cate was the first book I’ve read of your series. I can’t wait to get my hands on more!