Interview (Plus Giveaway) with Amy Lillard

I’m excited to welcome Amy Lillard to the blog today to share with us about her writing and celebrate the release of her novella, More Than Friendship. If you missed my review of this charming story, then you can click here to read it.

And, Amy Lillard is offering an ecopy of More Than Friendship to one of you! After you read Amy’s interview, please enter to win your own copy and you can get to know Clara, Thomas, and Obie and watch as Clara must decide what path to take.

Hi Amy! Thanks for sharing with us about your newest release, More Than Friendship.
Thank you for having me Brittany!

I know that More Than Friendship is set in Wells Landing, the setting for your Wells Landing Series. Does this novella stand on its own for readers who have not read the books from that series?
More Than Friendship is the first novella in The Quilting Circle which is a spinoff of my Wells Landing Series. The novella does stand on its own. But the experience is enriched if you read them in order. More Than Friendship falls between Lorie’s Heart and Just Plain Sadie.

Is it challenging to write a novella, where relationships must develop at a quicker pace than in full length novels? And, if so, how do you approach the hurdle of bringing characters together for a speedier happily-ever-after?
It is harder to write a novella because every word has to count, but I find if I set up my characters to have a past already I clear that hurdle and I can get to the story quicker.

Have your characters ever taken on a mind of their own and a story you were crafting began to go in a direction you didn’t see coming?
Yes. Case in point, James Riehl (from Courting Emily). James was not planned to be that important of a character. The book was never to be anything about his recovery- that just happened, not to mention the whole purple thing which came out of nowhere too.

Do you have a favorite place or time of day to write?
No. I am a full-time author. I work just like people who go to the office. Except I get to wear my pajamas and I don’t quit at 5 pm.

You have had quite a busy publishing schedule these last couple of years. More Than Friendship releases today! (Congratulations!) What is next for you? Do you have any other books releasing soon?
The next book in the Wells Landing series, Just Plain Sadie, releases March 29th. There are also 2 more Wells Landing books in the works and 2 more Quilting Circle novellas in the works. And rumor has it, there may be an Amish mystery series set in Pennsylvania releasing in 2017 (so be looking for that!). The details on all these and more are found on my website http://amywritesromance.com/coming-soon-2/.
Thanks for having me today Brittany! I hope everyone enjoys More Than Friendship.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Love is worth every challenge.

Woven deeply into the Amish community of Wells Landing, Oklahoma, a women’s quilting circle is a place to share everything from recipes to hopes and dreams, especially when love is in the air…

The youngest member of the quilting circle, Clara Rose Yutzy has her whole life ahead of her. And it’s just beginning, with plans for a wedding to her longtime beau, Thomas Lapp. Everything is falling into place, which is why Clara Rose resolutely ignores her newly warm feelings for her best friend, Obidiah Brennaman. There’s never been a hint of romance between them, and no reason to pay attention to such nonsense now…

Steady, sturdy Obie feels differently. He’s never thought too hard about his future, but the news that Clara Rose is about to be married is strangely unsettling. Convincing Clara Rose to take another look at their friendship may not be easy, but Obie is certain God intends for them to be together. He’ll do whatever he must to make Clara Rose see how much he loves her, and with the Lord’s help, before it’s too late…

Enter to win an ebook copy of More Than Friendship .

Giveaway begins on 2/23/16 and ends on 2/29/16. Winner will be announced and will receive an email on 3/1/16.

To enter: Answer this question – “Have you read any of Amy Lillard’s books? Do you have a favorite?” (And look for ways to earn bonus points, too).

Here’s my answer…I have read many of Amy’s books and quite a few are in the “favorite” category of mine. My very favorites? Saving Gideon, Gabriel’s Bride, and Caroline’s Secret. (I couldn’t choose just one!)

1. Comment on this post with your answer to the above question for one entry.
2. Share this giveaway (and let me know) for another entry.
3. Follow (or already be a follower) of my blog for another entry.
4. Visit Amy Lillard’s More Than Friendship Pinterest board and let us know what your favorite quilt that she has pinned on her board is. (She has some beautiful quilt tutorials on there). This will also earn you an extra entry. To visit her Pinterest board, click here.