Interview/Giveaway with Author Laura Hilton and a winner has been chosen!

The winner of Patchwork Dreams is…Charlotte Kay! Thank you to all who entered!

I am pleased to have as my guest, Author Laura Hilton. Laura will be discussing her new book Patchwork Dreams, which is available everywhere books are sold, including Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Patchwork-Dreams-Amish-Seymour-County/dp/1603742557/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303396103&sr=1-1

Laura has graciously agreed to give away a copy of Patchwork Dreams to one lucky commenter. If you subscribe to my blog or are already a subscriber, you’ll receive two entries. And now, let’s meet Laura!

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

Her publishing credits include Hot Chocolate and Shadows of the Past from Treble Heart Books; a devotional in a compilation from Zondervan; and the first book Patchwork Dreams in her Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House will be released in April 2011, the second book, A Harvest of Hearts in September 2011, and the third in April 2012. Laura has her business degree from Ozarka and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Laura is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with over a thousand book reviews published at various online review sites.

Welcome to my blog, Laura! Your recent release is titled Patchwork Dreams. Please give us a short blurb about your book. Patchwork Dreams Book 1 of The Amish of Seymour…Becky Troyer has committed the ultimate sin, and finds herself on the edge of her Amish community. Jacob Miller believes he was sent to the Old Order Community in Missouri to help out a distant cousin. Instead, he discovers he was part of an arranged swap–sending men from his Pennsylvania district to the Missouri district to bring new blood into the Amish community. Becky dreams of marriage, but doesn’t dare hope that anyone would choose her–not with her history. Can God use the lies that have affected Becky and Jacob to bring them together? Or will Jacob rebel and head home to his first love?

What was your inspiration behind Patchwork Dreams? Well, a long, long time ago I read a book by Beverly Lewis were the character was sent off to Ohio to get him away from his girl – he returned home in this series to marry the girl.  But then I thought – What if…. and I started thinking about the men that are swapped in this community. And that is where it came from.

What role does faith play in your writing? Oh, everything. I can’t write without praying first, that I will say what God wants me to say. And He seems to have a message He wants illustrated in every book.  

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? Yes – Jeremiah 29:11.  For I know the plans I have for for you says Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorites as well, Laura!

Where do you see yourself in five years? I have no idea. In otherwords, what are your hopes, dreams, and goals? Um.  Well, I’d love to have a few more books to my name and … whatever God has for me.  

If you were given a million dollars to start a charity, what type of charity would you start and why? Oh, I wouldn’t start a charity. I’d pray about it and give that million dollars to whatever organizations the Lord lays on my heart.  The church, a cancer foundation, other ministries… there are so many worthy ones already out there.

What’s next on your writing agenda?  I’m currently writing book three in The Amish of Seymour series, and have a few more ideas for future books simmering on the back burner.

Where can readers connect with you? (blog, twitter, FB, etc.)

My main blog is http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/ my review blog is http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ and I’m also on Facebook.

Thank you, Laura, for being a guest on my blog!

Remember, if you leave an encouraging comment for Laura, you will be entered in the giveaway for a copy of her new book Patchwork Dreams. I’ve read and enjoyed this book, so you won’t want to miss this opportunity. Also, if you subscribe to my blog, or are already an subscriber, you will receive two entries. Giveaway ends April 28, 2011.