This week, I was informed that PLAIN FEAR: FORGIVEN had been chosen for a special promotion by Barnes and Noble. It goes on sale today as a NOOK book.



Samuel Fisher committed a sin of biblical proportions—he killed his own brother, Jacob. Samuel’s guilt overwhelms him as he struggles to understand the choices Jacob made which led to his death. Haunted by doubts and questions, Samuel starts down the same dark path of destruction. In the gripping final battle between hunters and vampires, Samuel must choose where his loyalties lie. The decisions he makes not only threaten the lives of those he loves, but determine if he will ultimately be forgiven.

You can read a preview here.

Reviews:

“An unlikely, yet fresh idea that completely works, thanks to her ability to blend the genres in a tasteful manner.” - RT Book Reviews –

“A richly detailed and atmospheric tale of suspense.” - Library Journal –

I hope you'll help me make PLAIN FEAR: FORGIVEN a big success during this special promotion! Thanks for all your support!

Giveaway: To celebrate this promotion, leave a comment below and I'll draw a name of a winner to receive the paperback copy of PLAIN FEAR: FORSAKEN and PLAIN FEAR: FORBIDDEN, the first two books in the series. I'll draw a name on Monday, April 7th.

Labels: Amish, Amish fiction, Amish/vampire, book giveaway, inspirational fiction, Nook books, Plain Fear series, Plain Fear: Forgiven, sale, special promotion, Vampire/Amish, vampires

Shelley Shepard Gray saw them first! She said, "Look at the piglets!" So I looked and I saw this gigantic sow waddling along this fence line. "Uh, Shelley, that's one big--" And then I saw the two little piglets tumbling over each other and racing through the grass. But along with the two piglets were some mighty big pigs. And they were gruntin' and squealin' at each other. When we approached the fence, they really wanted to rub up against us but thankfully the fence prevented that. But aren't they cute? They sure had some long eyelashes!

Labels: Amish Country, Amish fiction, Ohio, pigs, Shelley Shepard Gray, sows

I was in the southern part of Ohio, right on the edge of the Appalachians. Gorgeous country with rolling hills and ravines and creeks and all sorts of interesting topography, which in a way could be pretty creepy in a Sleepy Hollow kind of way. It really got my writer brain in high gear!

Before I went, I knew we were staying at Murphin Ridge Inn, so I looked it up and these trees and chairs were on the website and I knew I had to sit in those chairs. So I did. This is my fabulous hostess and friend, Shelley Shepard Gray, who is a New York Times best selling author of Amish fiction. We tried to find the pumpkin cannon, because I soooo wanted to try it, but alas I think they only had it on the weekends. Think I could do that in my backyard?

Labels: Amish Country, Amish fiction, Appalachian, Murphin Ridge Inn, Ohio, Shelley Shepard Gray, southern Ohio

Have you ever had that feeling? You're a mile from Gramma's house and you can't wait to get there? Or the flight attendants are securing the cabin for landing and you're on your dream vacation? Or you're closing on that house you've always wanted and the movers are coming? Or you're ten months pregnant and you're waiting for that first labor pain so you can actually hold that sweet baby in your arms? There's much angst and excitement and nervousness in the anticipation of these events.

Well, I've been waiting a long time for this 'baby' to arrive. It's not a visit or a trip or a move or a real baby, but to writers we often refer to our books as our babies because we tend them with such care and devotion as a mother tends to her baby. And so, my baby is ALMOST here! Just a few weeks until August 1st when it officially releases! And just like packing for a trip or moving or preparing for the arrival of a baby, there is much to do.

Today, I've posted an excerpt on my website! I hope you'll take a look. This is not the usual first chapter of the book. But I hope you will enjoy it. A couple of weeks ago, I posted a different excerpt on my e-newsletter. So here ya go:

http://leannaellis.com/books.html

Just go to the book page on my website (www.leannaellis.com) and click on Plain Fear: Forsaken. You'll see the button to click on the left in red.

Labels: Amish, Amish fiction, excerpt, Plain Fear: Forsaken, Vampire/Amish, vampires

My friend Jennifer Archer has a new book coming out: Through Her Eyes. It's her first young adult novel. I've already got my book pre-ordered! Jennifer is an amazing author. I first met her in 1995 when we were both up for Golden Heart Awards and we sat next to each other during the award ceremony in Hawaii. She's a terrific writer, and I am always eager for a new Jennifer Archer book to read! So as you go pre-order your book, check out her new contest, which has some exciting prizes! http://www.jenniferarcher.net/news_events.html

Labels: Amish fiction, contest, Jennifer Archer, Through Her Eyes, young adult

Last week, I went to Lancaster County, PA for research on my book, FORSAKEN, an Amish/vampire story in the Plain Fear series. This is a picture from a tour we took of an Amish style house. The lamp is gas powered and sits on wheels. You can wheel it from room to room. So, why do the Amish go to all of this trouble to avoid electricity? They do not want any ties with the outside or Englisch world. Electricity requires wires and such. Gas does not. They use a lot of gas-powered things or even propane powered machines. It is definitely a different world that they live in, but I respect them for their faith and for their commitment to their beliefs. In our world, we like to make things easier. 'Better' we call it. But is our world really better? Is easier better? Not always.

Labels: Amish, Amish fiction, lamps, light