Discover more about
Leslie Gould
and her Amish romance
Becoming Bea
Bethany House
**********
Who is Leslie?
Leslie Gould is the coauthor, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 CBA bestseller The Amish Midwife, a 2012 Christy Award winner; ECPA bestseller Courting Cate, first in the Courtships of Lancaster County series; and Beyond the Blue, winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She and her husband and four children live in Portland, Oregon.
Q&A
Rel: A favourite childhood book
Leslie: My next oldest sister and I shared a beautiful Peter Pan picture book that was published in 1931. We bought it together at a library sale. I just realized that I’ve had for a long time—probably a couple of decades, and I should probably send it to her house for a while. 🙂
Do you remember the title of the first story you ever wrote? What was it about?
My first story was a retelling of Cinderella that I dictated to my mother when I was four. She saved it and I came across it a couple of weeks ago. What a sweet memory! Instead of having a fairy godmother, my Cinderella had a grandmother who saved the day.
If you weren’t a writer, what career would you have pursued?
College professor. Or a midwife. Or a horticulturist.
Why do you write stories?
I writer stories to process life, to trust God, and to keep my restless mind from wandering too far from what is good and true. I also write stories to let other women know they’re not alone.
Becoming Bea
Can Bea and Ben Turn Rivalry Into Romance?
Beatrice Zook knows God wants her to learn patience toward others. When assisting a family overwhelmed by triplets proves surprisingly successful, her confidence in dealing with others, both young and old, grows.One person she’ll never be able to find peace with though is Ben Rupp. They’ve known each other forever, and Ben understands precisely how to antagonize her. What neither she nor Ben will admit is that beneath all their bickering, attraction awaits.
When friends decide to try and bring the couple together, will the pair be able to find true love? Or will they damage their relationship beyond repair?
Describe your novel in 5 adjectives
Amish, Shakespearean, romantic, inspirational, and empathetic
Please share a little about your main characters
Becoming Bea was inspired by Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. So Bea, in my story, is patterned after the Bard’s Beatrice. And Ben, the hero in my story, is a rendition of Shakespeare’s Benedick. Like Shakespeare’s characters, mine like to bicker too—even though under all their verbal sparring is an affection neither will admit.
What spiritual theme or question does your story deal with?
One of the verses I centered the story on was Psalm 143:8: “Cause me to hear they lovingkindess in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.”
Bea realizes that she can’t trust Ben or even herself. She has to learn to trust God with each day, for her future, and for her very life.
Share a recent movie or tv show that you have loved, and why?
I’m so glad you asked! One of the best movies I watched as I was finishing Becoming Bea was Much Ado About Nothing, the 2012 film directed by Joss Whedon and set in modern times. I highly recommend it.
What novel are you working on now?
I’m working on Amish Promises, the first in my Neighbors of Lancaster County series. It’s about an Amish family and a military family who live side by side.
My husband is a colonel in the Army Reserve and commanded a field hospital in Afghanistan in 2012. I’m enjoying creating an Amish world with a military element included. There’s lots of great conflict going on!
Thanks Leslie!
Relz Reviewz Extras
Review of Courting Cate
Character spotlight on Cate
Visit Leslie’s website
Buy at Amazon: Becoming Bea (The Courtships of Lancaster County) or Koorong
October 20, 2014 at 5:19 am
Oh Relz. Thanks for having Leslie today. I still need tis book of here to complete this series. That is unless she decides to write another. Hi Leslie. I’m so glad this book is on some blogs now with a chance to win it. I really need it. Hope to be lucky on Relz’ blog. Thanks to you both for this chance to win it. GOD bless you both. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
October 20, 2014 at 6:23 am
Girls, I forgot to answer the question. My favorite Shakespeare movie or play. Maxie
October 21, 2014 at 12:12 am
Relz, I so appreciate this interview with Leslie. She is one of my favorite authors! Thanks for this giveaway and blessings to both of You!
Connie
October 21, 2014 at 12:16 am
Sorry, I forgot to mention that I love ‘Taming of the Shew’ by Shakespeare.
Connie
October 21, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Connie Saunders » Thank you, Connie, for your encouragement and kind words!
October 24, 2014 at 3:18 am
Thank you so much, Connie! I’m thrilled that you enjoy my stories!
October 21, 2014 at 12:26 am
The Taming of the Shrew!
October 21, 2014 at 5:27 am
“10 Things I Hate About You” would be my favorite Shakesperean movie. It was fun.
October 24, 2014 at 3:21 am
I really liked “10 Things I Hate About You” too and watched it again when I was writing Courting Cate. Besides being a great movie, the title is so memorable. 🙂 And it was filmed in the Northwest, not too far from where I live.
October 21, 2014 at 7:18 am
A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream
October 21, 2014 at 9:11 am
Romeo and Juliet
October 21, 2014 at 8:17 pm
I do enjoy A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream. I have very fond memories of watching it on a Summer’s evening in the gardens… Thanks for another great interview!
October 24, 2014 at 3:23 am
Leola~what a sweet memory. 🙂 Thank you for sharing it.
October 22, 2014 at 6:28 pm
I would have to say the movie 10 Things I hate About you, and Romeo + Juliet. Thank you for an interview that we get to know more about the author.
October 23, 2014 at 1:01 am
My Favorite Shakespeare play is Love’s Labor’s Lost.
October 23, 2014 at 5:34 am
Wonderful interview. I would love to add this book to books 1,2 and 3 of the series, that I have on my bookshelf. My favorite play is A Midsummer’s night Dream. Thank you.
October 23, 2014 at 5:47 am
I’ve never been a huge Shakespeare fan, probably because of all the heavy analysis we were forced to endure in high school. 12th Night was interesting though…. I KNOW Leslie Gould will set better with me!!!!!
October 24, 2014 at 3:35 am
Lol, my stories definitely “simplify” Shakespeare! 🙂
October 23, 2014 at 7:51 am
would love to win.
October 23, 2014 at 8:33 am
“Romeo & Juliet” is my favorite Shakespeare play.
October 23, 2014 at 8:47 am
My favorite Shakespearan play is a midsummer nights dream
October 23, 2014 at 9:31 am
Romeo and Juliet was my favorite play.
October 23, 2014 at 9:35 am
I really don’t have a favorite Shakespeare play. I confess I’m not a big fan but I do enjoy Leslie’s books based on the plays!
October 24, 2014 at 3:36 am
Thank you for reading, Pam!
October 23, 2014 at 10:15 am
Wonderful interview.My favorite play is A Midsummer’s night Dream.I am looking forward to reading
Becoming Bea
October 24, 2014 at 3:37 am
Thank you, Tina! 🙂
October 23, 2014 at 10:25 am
Midsummer Night’s dream–Thanks for your great books!
October 24, 2014 at 3:38 am
Thank you for reading my books! And leaving a comment today. 🙂
October 23, 2014 at 11:35 am
a comedy of errors has always been my favorite!
October 23, 2014 at 11:51 am
Romeo & Juliet was a favorite.. would enjoy reading this one!
October 23, 2014 at 1:04 pm
I saw Much Ado About Nothing recently, and it was done so well, that it’s my favorite for now.
October 24, 2014 at 3:38 am
Kathy, the last play I’ve seen–or retold–is usually my favorite too. 🙂
October 23, 2014 at 1:11 pm
It’s a toss-up, Romeo and Juliet and Taming of the Shrew. Actually I am such a big Shakespeare fan, I love them all!
October 24, 2014 at 3:41 am
How fun, Sonja!
October 23, 2014 at 1:17 pm
I recently downloaded Courting Cate…..Can’t wait to see what’s in store! Thanks for the interview! I really enjoyed it!
October 24, 2014 at 3:41 am
I hope you’ll enjoy Courting Cate!
October 23, 2014 at 1:20 pm
My favorite Shakespeare story is Romeo and Juliet, although I did enjoy the version of “Midsummer Night’s Dream” where Mickey Rooney was Puck…..
October 26, 2014 at 4:41 pm
Ann Marie, I haven’t seen A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Mickey Rooney, but I’ve seen photos of him in the play. He made a wonderful, impish Puck. Thank you for mentioning him!
October 24, 2014 at 12:44 am
Midsummers night Dream
Love reading! Thanks for the chance to win this new book!
Keep up the awesome work!
October 24, 2014 at 6:32 am
sorry to admit I do not care for Shakespeare.
October 24, 2014 at 11:42 am
Romeo and Juliet
October 24, 2014 at 12:04 pm
I guess it would be Romeo and Juliet. I’m not familiar with many of his stories.
susanlulu@yahoo.com
October 24, 2014 at 3:14 pm
I like Much Ado about Nothing.
October 24, 2014 at 3:54 pm
The Taming of the Shrew
I would love to have a chance to add your latest book to my collection. I look forward to reading many more new books from you. Best of luck with your writing and have fun !
October 26, 2014 at 4:43 pm
Thank you for your comment! 🙂