Fabulous Friday Feature-Amy Clipston

Today we welcome author:

Amy Clipston

One commenter will win a copy of
Amy's books:

 A Gift of Love
and
A Season of Love

Two winners will be chosen!!

Scroll down to see how.

Mary here. I'm so glad you joined us today. I was touched by Amy's story about her kidney donation. She told me a bit of what is in her book, "A Gift of Love". Such a calling. Such a gift. Today, Amy expands what she told me by sharing with you how God lead her on her writing journey--the fruit of God inspired circumstances. This is what she said:

A Leap of Faith

I always wrote for fun as a child. While in elementary school I carried notebooks and filled them with silly stories that I shared with only one friend. In junior high and high school, my stories turned into fan fiction based on my favorite television shows or movies. Back then writing was a stress-reliever and a fun hobby.

When I entered college, both my time and my muse dissolved, and I didn’t find the passion for writing again until I was married and had my first son. I stopped writing fan fiction and I started writing romance novels. After attending a meeting for a local chapter of Romance Writers of America, I realized I no longer wanted to write as a hobby and instead pursue the dream of seeing my name on the cover of a book. I quickly landed a contract with a literary agent, but my romance novels did not sell as easily as I’d hoped.

My agent tried to place seven of my romance novels. She emailed me one day and suggested I try writing Christian fiction. I’d been a Christian since I was little and always had a strong faith, but I’d never tried to write Christian fiction.

I prayed about it and researched Christian fiction. My heart led me to Amish fiction. At first, I was afraid to write Amish fiction because it was so far out of my comfort zone. After all, I believed I was supposed to write romance novels! When I thought about writing Amish fiction, I feared I wasn’t good enough. I kept praying, however, and an idea of a book, which eventually became A Gift of Grace, gripped me.

I quickly put together a proposal, including the first three chapters of the book and blurbs for two books to follow in the series. Amazingly, after trying to sell romance books for nearly two years, I sold an Amish book on proposal to Zondervan Publishing, even though the first book wasn’t completed yet.

Was God’s hand in my writing?  Absolutely! He guided my heart in the decision to not only write Christian fiction, but also to write stories about the Amish.

Doors opened for me. A friend invited me to contact her mother, who had an Amish friend in Pennsylvania. The friend, (whom I will call “Ruth” to protect her identity), opened her home to me and has since become a dear friend. She helps me with research for my books. God had led me to Ruth.

Thanks to Ruth, I learned a lot about the Amish cultural. I also learned a lot about myself. Ruth has made me want to be a better Christian, wife, and mother. I admire the quiet and patient way she interacts with her children and also the humble way in which she makes God the center of her life. I respect the Amish culture and how members of the community are focused on God and family. I look forward to visiting Ruth at least once every year, and I find a renewed faith in God every time I sit and talk with her.

My books have also deepened my relationship with God. When I work on a story, I pray often and ask God to guide my words and make them pleasing to Him. I’ve received emails from readers who’ve told me they have felt God in my books. I’m humbled that He has used my books to touch others.

When I received my first book contract with Zondervan Publishing, my husband was facing a second kidney transplant. Our family was in an emotional and financial turmoil as we faced his kidney disease. I’m so grateful God led me to write my first Amish series because the books carried us through a very tough time. The Lord provided for us during this time of need.

Mary here- Amy wrote this compelling story of not only her husband’s need but also her special gift to another person in her book, “A Gift of Love”.

I’m grateful God led me to write Christian fiction. I’m also grateful for the wonderful friends I’ve made because of my books—both authors and readers alike. My Amish books have been a tremendous blessing in my life, and I’m grateful that God called me to take a leap of faith and write them.

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Click HERE to see or buy
 The Gift of Love

Amy Clipston is the award winning and bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including the Kauffman Amish Bakery series and the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. An advocate for organ and blood donation, Amy donated a kidney in 2011 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Through her donation, her husband received a second kidney transplant. Amy and her husband matched another couple and swapped kidneys with them. Amy’s memoir, A Gift of Love, details their journey through her husband’s kidney transplants. She hopes her story inspires others to become organ and blood donors. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled, rotten cats. 

You can learn more about Amy Clipston at:
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Pinterest | Website  

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Click HERE to see or buy
A Season of Love

A Season of Love

In the fifth and final novel of the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series, three young women are about to change their lives. Lizzie Anne and Samuel have decided to get married, and Lindsay is about to be baptized in the Amish faith and is courting Matthew. While Katie Kauffman is happy for her friends who seem to have settled their futures, she is also finding herself something of a fifth wheel. When Lindsay’s sister Jessica returns to Bird-in-Hand, she finds that Jake Miller has moved on with his life. He lost hope that Jessica would ever be satisfied to settle in rural Pennsylvania and takes comfort in becoming close friends with Katie. However, it’s not an easy road as Jake is Mennonite and Katie has just been baptized in the Amish faith. Her father forbids them to see each other, adamant that his daughter marry an Amish man. A Season of Love is filled with surprising twists that will grip you to the very last words.

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Enter the contest to win a copy of 

Amy's books:

A Gift of Love and A Season of Love
here is how:

leave a comment (and email address)

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The winner will be announced on my Facebook page

Thank you, Amy, for joining us this weekend!

We enjoy chatting with you and are looking forward to reading your comments and questions. Or at least your hi, hello, or hey.

Thanks for stopping by!

Don't forget to comment!

Some of us haven't read Amish stories. After reading Amy's experience with her new Amish friend, "Ruth" and what Ruth has taught her, I'm curious. You, too? What would you like to learn about the Amish?