I’ve invited Laura Hilton to stop by for a chat. She’s drinking iced coffee, and I’m having tea. Join us and learn more about Laura, her writing and her newest release.
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 three of her children. Her two oldest children are homeschool graduates and are in college. 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 released in April 2011, the second book, “A Harvest of Hearts” in September 2011, and Promised to Another 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.
Why do you write romance?
I write romance because I love to read romance; I love to hear stories about how people meet their spouses, etc.
I’m the same way. Give me the happily ever after! Describe your favorite romantic meal.
I don’t really have a favorite romantic meal. I’m more of a down-home, country-style cook, and food is food, not romance. I know others would disagree. So I’ll tell yo this, when my husband asked me out for our first date, he asked me to go with him for strawberry pie.
That’s so sweet! How did your hubby propose to you?
Well (blushing). My husband didn’t propose. I held him at gun-point and told him to marry me. He had no choice. Okay…it was a water gun. And I was teasing. But he accepted anyway, then held me to it.
That sounds so fun! You should include it in a novel someday. What romance theme runs through your latest novel?
Shanna is struggling to find her place where she belongs–Matthew is settled and sure. They form an instantaneous connection and romance flares from there…
What romance advice would you offer to readers?
Let God lead. Don’t settle for anything less than who God intends.
Fantastic advice, Laura. Thank you for having coffee time with us.
A Harvest of Hearts Book 2 of the Amish of Seymour series, September 2011
Matthew Yoder volunteered to be part of the swap of Amish men from his Old Order Pennsylvania Amish Community, to the Amish community in Seymour, Missouri. There is nothing for him in Pennsylvania, as the youngest of twelve children, and the lack of farmland around Lancaster County, he felt he could make a better future in another district. Shanna Stoltzfus has been raised Amish, and couldn’t wait for her rumspringa so she could pursue her education. She hated having to quit school in the 8th grade to stay home and learn everything that makes a home run smoothly. But now she has earned her GED and is taking college courses, but her family is begging her to come home; her little sisters miss her. And there’s something about newcomer, Matthew Yoder that draws her attention. But is it enough to give up her dreams of education and join the Amish church?
Great advice on not settling and 1000 reviews! Wow. Loved the water gun. Great interview, ladies! Nice to meet you, Laura.
Nice to get to know Laura better. 🙂
Favorite romantic meal? For me it would be pizza by candlelight, but for my husband it would be turkey, stuffing, gravy, all the fixin's.
Opposites attract, dontcha know.
No way!! I live near Seymour! Here is a special memory: http://lanehillhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/do-less-and-seymour.html
I just found your site through Margaret Daley's site. Fun finding each other! Favorite romantic meal? Anytime with my husband of 27 years ~ I proposed to him, too, and he said it was too soon. He eventually asked me, ha ha.
Hello, Laura!
My favorite romantic meal is anything cooked well with candle light on the table. I'm not picky when it comes to food.
Lisa, I picked up your book last night. Looking forward to digging into the pages!
What a fun post. I love Laura's threaten-him-with-a-water-gun story.
My favorite romantic meal?
Each year for our anniversary my husband and I go to the same restaurant:
The Pepper Tree. It's intimate, elegant (the waiters wear tuxes) and they make a tableside Pepper Tree steak that is absolute scrumptious. (I don't eat a lot of red meat, but this is one time my husband knows I don't share!) We sit, talk, savor our meals and our memories — it's the perfect romantic meal.