Leslie Gould…discover more, with a giveaway

Leslie Gould

 

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.  🙂

PeterPanbookLG

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 BeaBecoming 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: [easyazon_link asin=”0764210343″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”relzrevi-20″]Becoming Bea (The Courtships of Lancaster County)[/easyazon_link] or Koorong

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45 comments

  1. 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 <

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  3. 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

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    1. 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.

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  8. 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!

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  9. 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.

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  11. 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.

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  12. 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!!!!!

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  17. 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!

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    1. 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!

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  31. 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 !

    Reply

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