I'm so excited to share about my new series!  The first book - Seek Me with All Your Heart - will release in October 2010.  Here's the press release I received from my publicist.  What do you think?  I love the cover! 

BESTSELLING AUTHOR BETH WISEMAN FOLLOWS THE AMISH TO COLORADO WITH NEW FICTION SERIES. In step with a real-life trend but ahead of the publishing curve, bestselling novelist Beth Wiseman heads West with her characters in a brand new series .

Launching this Fall:

NASHVILLE, TN--It's no secret that Amish culture--its fascinating simplicity--has captured the interest of America.  ABC has devoted primetime television specials to Amish teens, and feature stories in publications like the Wall Street Journal have covered the wave of successful Amish novels published over the past several years, set in picturesque Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and other Eastern states.  An Associated Press article published June 2009 marked a new development:  a handful of Amish families migrating to Colorado to escape high land prices and overcrowding back East in more established communities.  In step with the real-life trend but ahead of the publishing curve, bestselling novelist Beth Wiseman heads West with her characters in a brand new series launching this Fall.

"After visiting Monte Vista, Colorado, I knew this was the perfect setting for a new series--developing easily into the fictional town of Canaan.  What an experience to take some of my key characters from the Daughters of the Promise series to Colorado, where they face the challenges of  a new location and meet other Amish folks who have migrated to the area--somewhere much different than what they were used to in Lancaster County," said Wiseman.

The groundbreaking Land of Canaan series debuts with Seek Me With All Your Heart on October 2010 from Thomas Nelson, recently named the Christian retail industry's #1 fiction provider (2009 ECPA PubTrack data).  In addition to the Colorado series, Wiseman will also continue penning her bestselling Daughters of the Promise series (alternating with Land of Canaan titles) and co-authored Amish novellas.

Fans of all things Amish, from books to recipes to tours of the beautiful communities, gather as a community and connect with the authors they love at AmishLiving.com.

        

Wow.  I'm super honored that Plain Paradise, book #4 in the Daughters of the Promise series, has hit the CBD Bestseller List weeks before the release date.  Thank you SO much to all of you who have pre-ordered!  Every book I write has a special place in my heart, for different reasons...so, I really shouldn't say this is my favorite.  Psst....so don't tell anyone that it is!  

Just in case you're new here or haven't seen the book trailer for Plain Paradise - please check it out.  I can't wait for everyone to read it!

PLAIN PARADISE BOOK TRAILER - Click Here!

RELEASING IN TWO WEEKS!   Available for pre-order anywhere that books are sold.

And this is just a fun little video that some of you might have already seen on other sites.

WHO IS BETH WISEMAN? Click here to watch the video!

        

Many of you followed the "Notes on the Bridge" story a while back.  In case you weren't subscribed here then, I found an anonymous love letter on the bridge by my house several months ago.  I never found out who wrote the note...it just disappeared one day.  Since then, I've found lots of notes on the bridge - blessings to those who pass over the bridge, prayers for peace and contentment, prayers of thanks, prayers for loved ones who are sick or who have passed, and I even found a note for me and my husband - wishing us a happy anniversary.  The bridge by my house has become a special place, and we go there often.  This past Saturday night was very special on what I fondly refer to as "My Bridge."  Before I explain, here's a couple of pics of the bridge.  I've left many notes on this bridge myself.

	"My Bridge"
	We cross this bridge to get to our house.
	These are prayers that some of you sent  for me to put on the bridge.
	Hubby helped!
	This is one that just showed up.  I'll probably never know who put it there.
	The first note we found - an anonymous love letter.

Now, back to this past weekend.  Many of you have also read about my best friend, Renee'.  We've been friends for 30 years.  On Nov. 22, her 23-year-old son, Brian, was hit by a drunk driver while changing a tire on the side of the road.  Only by the Grace of God is he alive.  Brian was in the hospital for over two months, lost all kidney function, continues to recover from multiple injuries, and...his baby was born during this time in another hospital.  Do you believe in miracles?  Renee' and I do.  Brian went home from the hospital two weeks ago.  He has a long road full of rehab, a kidney transplant in his future, and will have to learn to walk again and do many of the things we all take for granted.  He has a loving wife and new baby, and his mother...my best friend...has been by his side constantly.  Renee' is a gift from God for me - my angel on Earth.  And these past few months have been the hardest of her life.  SO, when her long-time boyfriend dropped to his knee this past weekend and proposed - there wasn't a dry eye on the bridge.  He waited until just barely after midnight, so it would be Valentines Day, AND it was Renee's birthday.  Patrick and I were invited along, and we captured this special moment. 

	Awe.  Look at her face.  When he  dropped to one knee, I'm pretty sure she knew it was coming!
	Look at his face as she managed  to say 'yes'.
	Look over Renee's shoulder.  See the note?  Renee' thought we were just going to the bridge so she could leave a prayer for her son. Little did she know...

Renee' has been a single mom for a long time.  She's been through something that we as mothers fear most - something happening to one of our children.  She's now a grandma to Baby Braiden.  Her son is at home and doing much better.  And she has a great guy who
has vowed to love her for the rest of his life.  I love happy endings. 

Do you have a note or prayer you'd like me to put on my special bridge?  If so, just send it to Beth Wiseman, P.O. Box 326, Fayetteville, TX 78940.  I'll be happy to add your special prayer or note of encouragement or inspiration.

Blessings for a wonderful week!
Beth

        

Well, I'm not doing too good with my New Years Resolution - to blog more often.  I'm so sorry!  My intentions were good.  There has been a lot going on, and I'm trying hard to stay on top of things...LOL.

Thanks to everyone for putting An Amish Gathering on the ECPA Bestseller List!

Plain Paradise, book #4 in the Daughters of the Promise series, will release in March, so if you would like to read the first chapter, click below:

Plain Paradise - Chapter One

To see the book trailer for Plain Paradise, click below:

Plain Paradise Book Trailer


Look forward to hearing what you think!

Many Blessings,
Beth

        

Hi Friends,

Plain Paradise, book #4 in the Daughters of the Promise series,  goes to print on Friday, and today I received the 'final' back cover copy.  What do you think?

Linda's Amish life seems like paradise.  Until she finds out her family has been lying to her since the day of her birth.

Josie was just a frightened teenager when she left her baby in the care of an Old Order Amish couple in Lancaster County.  Since then, seventeen years have passed and while many things have changed, one thing hasn't.  Josie still longs to reconnect with her daughter Linda.

Linda is unaware of Josie--and is living an idyllic life within the Amish community.  The bishop's grandson, Stephen, is courting her and she hopes that he will propose soon.  But when her birth mother comes to Paradise, Linda finds herself drawn into the Englisch world.  Meanwhile, her adoptive parents--and her Amish beau--are trying to understand how this interruption in Linda's life could possibly be God's will.

As new relationships begin and old ones are tested, no one's life will ever be the same.  But in the process of losing and letting go--Linda realizes who's daughter she really is.  As only God can do, something more powerful, and far more beautiful, is forged within the Daughters of the Promise community...hope.

Includes Reading Group Guide and Authentic Old Order Amish Recipes.

Visit BethWiseman.com and AmishLiving.com.

Beth Wiseman has a deep affection for the Amish and their simpler way of living.  She is the author of the bestsellers, Plain Perfect, Plain Pursuit, and Plain Promise.  She and her family live in Texas.

Releases in March.  Waiting to find out if it will release early!

 

        

Thanks to everyone who voted on whether or not to repackage book #2 in the Daughters of the Promise series - Plain Pursuit.  The original cover won the vote by a large margin, so my publisher - Thomas Nelson - has decided not to repackage the book.  I love the way Thomas Nelson allows readers to have opinion about my covers.  My editor actually came to this site and read all of your comments.  So - no changes to the cover!

Thanks everyone!  It is 16 degrees at my house this morning - in South/Central Texas!  Hasn't been this cold here in 14 years.   Burr!! 

Stay warm everyone!

And the winner is...the original cover!

        

Hi friends!  We're bracing ourselves for some cold weather here in Texas.  I know that many of you are having even colder temperatures, but when it drops into the teens and 20s in Texas, that's super cold for us! 

Yesterday, I was interviewed live by Phil Main with CKNX AM920 in Canada.  For a glimpse into my life, how I started writing Amish fiction, how I develop my stories, and my personal testimony about the power of prayer...here's the audio of the interview.  Stay warm everyone!


CKNX Interview

        

Wow!  My publisher just informed me that book #1 in the Daughters of the Promise series--Plain Perfect--has surpassed a milestone - over 109,000 units shipped thus far!  A HUGE thank you to readers!

Plain Perfect was my first.  It will always have a special  place in my heart!

 

Plain Pursuit (book #2 in the series) and Plain Promise (book #3) both just hit the ECPA Bestseller list for January, so another THANK YOU!  And Plain Promise and An Amish Christmas are on the CBA Bestseller list.  And, yes...another THANK YOU!

I'm overwhelmed by how well these books have been received.  I hope and I pray that God will continue to bless me with stories to tell!

Did I say THANK YOU?? 

        

My publisher--Thomas Nelson--is considering a repackaged version of Plain Pursuit, book #2 in the Daughters of the Promise series.  They would like for readers to vote!  So, which cover captures your attention?  Which one would you be tempted to grab off the shelf at the bookstore? 

Thanks so much for participating, and thank you to Thomas Nelson for truly listening to readers.  (Readers chose the cover for book #4 in the series, Plain Paradise.)  

Here's the back cover copy to help you make a decision:

Carley has given up chasing her dreams.  Now her dreams are chasing her.

Carley Marek experiences culture shock when she visits her friend Lillian's family on their farm deep in Amish country.  She'll get an article out of the visit--and maybe some of Lillian's newfound peace will somehow rub off on her.  

Just when Carley is getting used to the quiet nature of the Plain community, Lillian and Samuel's son falls ill.  But the local doctor who can offer the most help has been shunned by the community and forbidden to intervene.

As David's condition deteriorates, Dr. Noah determines to do whatever it takes to save the boy's life.  Carley is caught in the middle--drawn to Noah, wanting to be helpful in the crisis--and confused by all their talk about a God she neither knows nor trusts.

Carley must decide what in life is worth pursuing...and what to do when she's pursued by a love she never expected. 

	The original cover... OR...
	The proposed cover...

Just leave a comment under this blog post!

        

Happy New Year!  Hope everyone had a great holiday.  I'm a couple of days behind announcing the winner of the contest for one of my books.  Sorry!  Today is my birthday, and I went with my husband and son to lunch and to see the movie 'Avatar'.  Not really my type of movie, but it was good, and the special affects were really awesome.  I'm hoping to go see Blind Side soon.  I've heard great things about that movie!

And the winner of one of my books is SHAYLA VILLINES!!  Shayla, email me at author@bethwiseman.net with your address and which book you would like to have.  Congrats!

Here's a couple of pics from our New Years celebration:

	Me and Patrick.  We went to a local place on the town square for dinner.
	Me and best friend, Renee'.  Her son is still in the hospital, but what a blessing that he was doing well enough for her to come spend New Years with us!

My son, Cory, asked me today what my New Years resolutions are.  Two things are the same every year - eat less, exercise more...LOL.  But I also told him I just want to focus on being a better person, more generous to those less fortunate, and I need to continue working on one specific thing that I write about in my books - FEAR.  I worry way too much, and I'm fearful about so much - will my kids be ok, will I continue to write books people want to read, will my mom stay healthy, etc...  I know in my heart that it's pointless.  Things happen in God's time, and everything is His will...so worrying is futile, and it makes it harder to hear God.  I'll be working on elimanting fear and stress this year. 

Did you make any New Years resolutions?  Would love to hear...