I’ve known Laura Hilton for a long time now, and I’m pleased to welcome her here this week. She is a multi-published author of Amish stories, and her latest release is the Amish Firefighter.  Here’s a little bit about the book:

A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from Home
Abigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she’d never heard about, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She’s desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody’s making that easy to do. And God certainly doesn’t seem willing to help.

A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own
Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, and a doctor–in–training. When local barn fires escalate, everyone suspects arson. And since the Miller family are among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam.

A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have Anticipated
When their paths first cross, at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or extinguish. And they’ll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno.

Welcome, Laura.

The premise is very intriguing. Why did you decide to write about an Amish firefighter?

I saw a picture of an Amish man fighting fires with Englisch firefighters and it intrigued me. When I started researching it, I discovered that many Amish volunteer as firefighters and even serve as EMTs or paramedics.

You’ve written quite a few Amish books. What draws you to them?   I love contemporary romance and Amish. Writing a combination of the two is wonderful. Plus my maternal grandparents left the Amish, so it is kind of discovering my roots.

Has the Amish community received your books well? Are they willing to help you with research?

I don’t know any Amish that have actually read my books – well, I know some who have, because my husband’s aunt loans them some. And one of the ladies makes homemade cards to give me on occasion.  But yes, they are willing to help me with research.

What makes Amish books so popular?

I think because a lot of people are fascinated by the Amish, the “simple life” and their ability to “remain separate” in this world.

What else do you have in the works?

Well, I can’t mention titles, since I’ve only kept four of the titles I’ve come up with so far and I don’t know if they will keep my titles yet or rename them. But I have a book releasing in the fall of 2016, spring of 2017, and fall of 2017.   The one in the fall will be the closest I ever will come to telling my family’s story—and it was hard to write. The spring one I’m writing now is much easier!

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as the Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Birdhouse. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press’ Quilts of Love series. Laura is contracted for another three book Amish series set in the Jamesport area, with the first book, The Amish Firefighter releasing in May 2016, followed by two more Amish books and a Christmas story releasing in Fall 2016, Spring 2017 and Fall 2017 respectively.

She has self-published a Christmas novella, Christmas Mittens.

Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer and blogs for Putting on the New and Seriously Write.

visit my blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/  & http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
twitter: @Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/

Purchase my books:
Amazon   http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=laura+hilton&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCG&nav_search=1&cms=1
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/laura-hilton?store=allproducts&keyword=laura+hilton
Deeper Shopping http://www.deepershopping.com/index.php?query=laura+hilton&x=0&y=0&module=productsearch&_logmode=Y&querymodule=SPX

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Thanks for joining us, Laura!