Writer Wednesday: Guest Author Amy Grochowski and a Character Interview!

I’m always excited to meet a new-to-me author, and today I welcome award-winning Amy Grochowski! I’m so excited that she’s brought along her CHARACTER to interview!

Today we’re hearing from “Lydia Miller,” the main character in Amy’s book, Forever Home!

Character Interview

Hello, Lydia, I’m so glad Amy brought you along for this interview. We won’t take any pictures, because I know the Amish religion does not believe in such, but if it’s okay, I’ll share an image of Amy’s book cover of Forever Home later on!

Let’s get started, shall we? What is one thing about you that makes you an interesting character?

Thirty-year-old Amish spinsters get curious looks and hear all sorts of whispers about them. Maybe that’s why I hate gossip so much. Mostly, I can ignore what other people think, as long as I’m doing what’s right. I learned the hard way that trying too hard to make others happy can lead to disaster.

That is so true. When we’re not true to ourselves, how can we be found trustworthy to others? It steals our joy!

Most people/characters have a secret of some kind. Tell us something about yourself that only very few people might know. (No spoilers, please!)

Everyone knows I love to sew and quilt. After all, I assist customers in my Amish Shop all the time with fabrics, threads, and supplies. But I also love to draw. Some might call it doodling. I’m not really an artist. I just enjoy sketching scenes and memories that have become important to me. I keep them tucked away as a diary of sort, only important to me.

Oh, I wish I could draw! My daughters can, but I’m not gifted such. Funny you should mention fabric and such, because my grandmothers were both artists, in their own way, with quilts. Our family stories can be told through the pieces of fabric on their pieces of art that cover us and keep us warm!

What’s your favorite vacation spot in the U.S.?

I’ve lived in two of the biggest tourist areas of North America—Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Prince Edward Island. I haven’t been on many vacations, so to speak. I can hardly imagine anything much nicer than a quiet walk along the island seashore.

PEI is definitely on my bucket list. I’ve been close to Lancaster, PA, but never actually THERE. Hopefully, sometime when we’re heading to NY to visit our daughter, we can stop and spend some time there. But the seashore . . . that’s my happy place, too! 🙂

What makes you giggle or laugh out loud?

Oh, a small one’s antics—I do love children.

Most definitely. We are kindred spirits!

Pie or cake?

I do make a lot of fried fruit pies. Who doesn’t love one? And I relax in the process of mixing the dough and forming each little treat. I think non-Amish people call it therapy. I call it love.

Baking IS love, I think!

Thank you, Lydia! You’ve been such a wonderful guest, and I hope my readers pick up Amy’s book so they can get to know you even better!

About Forever Home

A Canadian Amish farmer

A Lancaster Amish businesswoman

A Prince Edward Island foster child

Providence brings together a mismatched family, giving all three a second chance for love. Only love may never have had such a tough job.

Lydia Miller is an anomaly among her Amish people-a single woman in her 30s, running her own store, determined to forge a life on her own. But when Joel Yoder comes into town to sell his property, Lydia suddenly finds all of her hopes and dreams crumbling around her and a new opportunity placed in her lap.

Joel has his own problems. Recently jilted by his fiancée, Joel has seen his own dreams of moving to a newly established Amish community begin to falter. The new community welcomes married couples only. With his dreams quickly slipping from his fingers, Joel suddenly sees the only option he thinks he has – a marriage of convenience for both of them.

As the new couple begins life in a new settlement, they are even more surprised when a foster child in need of a home finds her way to them. Yet what will happen when the English world and the Amish world collide?

About Amy Grochowski

Amy’s deep appreciation for the Amish faith and way of life stems from six years of living and working with a Beachy Amish family, as well as her own Anabaptist roots. Her debut novel, Forever Home, was a pre-published winner of Romance Writers of America’s Maggie Award and a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest. She is a member of ACFW and Word Weavers Int’l. (for short bio end here)

Amy spent her childhood in Melbourne, Australia, where her parents worked as church planters. After returning to the States, the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia became home. Her real-life romance began on a travel nursing assignment to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she met her husband, David.

After a nursing career of more than twenty years, Amy is now fulfilling her long-awaited dream career as an author of inspirational romance. She is also a full-time homeschool mom for her two boys, one of whom has Autism Spectrum Disorder, and lives with her family in the bustling foothills of North Carolina.

Connect with Amy

Amish Dreams Reading Room (A private Facebook group reading Forever Home through August and September): https://www.facebook.com/groups/amishreadingroom

Amazon Author Page and sales link: https://www.amazon.com/author/amygrocho

Website: https://www.amygrochowski.com

Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/amygrochowski

Newsletter Sign Up: https://mailchi.mp/bab6601e9155/amygrochonews

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/amy-grochowski

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amygrocho/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmyGrocho

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/amygrocho