Shannon here: Kelly Irvin shares insight into her latest Amish Romance, Peace in the Valley. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: Sept 19th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Kelly:
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.Romans 14:13
Writing the three books in the Amish of Big Sky Country has been a journey of discovery for me as an author. I didn’t know when I pitched the idea of setting this series in three communities in Northwest Montana that I would embark on a journey that required me to examine what I believe and why. Each book begins in the same place and time: West Kootenai where members of the small community must evacuate because of a massive wildfire threatening the countryside. Three friends go their separate ways. Little do they know that each one of them will encounter people who test her ability to articulate her faith and to live it.
God often does that. He places people in our lives who help us stretch in our faith. He opens doors to places where we find ourselves searching our hearts as we are tested by circumstances. In the third installment, Peace in the Valley, Nora Beachy travels to Libby to stay with family members who have adopted a different theology and way of worshipping They still consider themselves Amish, but they drive cars, play musical instruments, and wear “English” clothes. Even more importantly, they espouse the belief that a “closer walk” with Jesus is available to every Christian. They want Nora to have that closer walk.
Nora has never had to articulate her faith before. She’s bombarded by a world totally different from her own. If she embraces this new lifestyle she’ll lose the man she loves, Levi Raber.
Levi loves Nora so much he begs her to live up to her baptismal vows. The Amish live their faith and show it by example. They believe in a “living hope.” He begs her to leave Libby before it’s too late. When she decides to stay, he seeks his bishop’s counsel. When I asked a group of readers what they thought of his action, they unanimously criticized his decision. To me it showed how much Levi loved her. Even if I don’t agree with his theology, I respect his faith. He was more concerned with her eternal salvation than his own wants and needs. He would risk losing her in order to save her. I wonder if I would do the same to hold a loved one accountable. Would you?
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church. . . (Matthew 18:15-17)
I hope reading Peace in the Valley encourages readers to ask themselves this question: what are they willing to risk in order to hold their fellow Christians accountable? How do they do that without passing judgment? These aren’t easy questions, but the answers can be found in Scripture, in fellowship with other Christians, and through regular church attendance. Just remember, the answer always begins with love.
About Kelly: Best-selling author Kelly Irvin’s latest Amish romance is Peace in the Valley, is the third and final installment in the series, Amish of Big Sky Country. She is the author of the Every Amish Season series from Zondervan/ HarperCollins, including Upon a Spring Breeze, winner of the 2018 Readers’ Choice Award in the long romance category. The series follows the Amish of Bee County Series, which included The Beekeeper’s Son, subject of a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, calling it “an intricately woven masterpiece.” Among her other works are novellas in eight collections. She is also the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Hope Amish series, both from Harvest House Publishing.
She has also penned five inspirational romantic suspense novels, Closer than She Knows, Over the Line, Tell Her No Lies, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine.
Kelly’s novels, The Beekeeper’s Son and Love Redeemed, were finalists in the 2015 and 2016 contemporary romance category of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Carol Awards Contest.
About the book – Peace in the Valley: After a devastating wildfire sweeps through her town, one young Amish woman is shown a
different way to practice her faith . . . but pursuing it could cost her everything she holds dear, including the man she loves.
Nora Beachy loves her life. She works in the community store in West Kootenai, takes care of her family and courts with Levi Raber. She and Levi plan to marry, but Levi wants to wait until he has the money to buy them a house before he pops the question. Nora doesn’t want to wait. Is there something keeping Levi from marrying her?
Nora’s peaceful existence is swept away when wildfires threaten her family’s home. She’s forced to evacuate to Libby where she stays with family in an Amish community that embraces a charismatic style of worship rejected by her own parents and the Kootenai district elders. Nora’s drawn to the emotional, powerful style of worship, the musical instruments, and the more relaxed lifestyle. She knows she’s headed for a shunning if she doesn’t stop breaking the rules, but she can’t understand why both forms of worship aren’t lovely in God’s eyes.
Nora’s stuck in the middle. She loves her family and doesn’t want to lose them. She loves Levi. But she must make a decision: return to her traditional Amish life or embrace this new way of worshipping and living. Will she sacrifice her relationship with Levi and her family for a different kind of faith?
Question for Readers: Peace in the Valley has strong religious/spiritual thread. It’s the basis for the conflict. How do you feel about books heavy on religion? Do you prefer a light Christian world view or do you appreciate meaty spiritual/religious content?
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I don’t really have a preference but if it’s extremely heavy, I feel like it has the potential to eclipse the story completely. Either way, I feel that if you base it on Scripture, you can’t go wrong.
Amen, Perianne!
Don’t mind it unless it gets super heavy then it eclipses the storyline
So true. Finding the balance can be hard for the author, but we do our best!
I enjoy reading in depth Christian views that challenge me, encourage me to grow, and to seek out answers to any questions that may arise in my mind. One of the reasons I enjoy reading Amish books so much is their strong faith, and their unwavering convictions of putting God first, family, then Community. Great steps to follow!
Good to know, Anita. That’s what I try to accomplish with me books.
I think it depends on the Author, as well as the book. Your the gifted writer’s who give so much, and I’m Grateful you all sharing your Talents with me. Inspiration will show you what to write, so follow this guide, and we’ll follow you.
thank you Wendy. Your support is greatly appreciated.
I think I prefer light only because it seems more real life that way. But I do love when they provide scripture bases for some situations that get you to think how they are used in your own life.
For the most part a lighter Christian take. There are times and situations where a heavy theme would be needed for the story line
Doesn’t bother me at all because I am a true believer and I love reading about someone who has great beliefs!
I enjoy both I love Jesus and most of the time can’t get enough even in fiction and non.
Reading this now. I love this book. Thank you Kelly Irvin
You’re welcome, Carol. I’m so glad you like it.
I don’t mind a heavy spiritual thread as long as it flows well throughout the story. We all can use spiritual encouragement.
It’s a fine line, isn’t it? I don’t want to be preachy, but I want to encourage the reader to think and to ponder the story even after she has finished reading it.
I enjoy either one, as long as it fits with the story line. I don’t care for long paragraphs of theology and doctrine in a novel, but in real life we have to face deeper issues at times.
Agreed, Beth. I try to always remember that my first obligation is to entertain the reader. The spiritual theme should be interwoven in the story, but it can be a delicate balance. The crux of the conflict in Peace in the Valley revolves around differences in theology and doctrine so it was challenging.
I enjoy either one. I am sure that you would have either fit with the story. Thank you for all your writing. You are amazing as is God.
Thanks, Deborah. I’m glad you like my stories. I enjoy writing them!
I’m good with “meaty spiritual/religious content” if it’s based on the Scripture! Blessings!
I enjoy the in depth story lines, it gets me thinking and exploring my thoughts and faith.
We need to hold believers accountable if they are straying from the truth of God’s word. This can only be done if led by the Spirit in a humble, caring, and loving manner.
So true, Vivian. It’s so important to be kind and humble, knowing we all are flawed, imperfect human beings.
Both are good with me. I try to only read ‘christian’ books, once in a while you don’t know until you get into the book that it isn’t, then I’m disappointed that they don’t let you know if there’s a lot of swearing or very ‘steamy’ scenes.
I think they should note if there is that content in a book, they can do it without revealing the complete story. Sadly, I’m probably missing some good books by not reading those and that’s my loss.
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I understand what you’re saying, Wendy. It’s a balancing act. I do read a lot of mainstream mystery/suspense books and invariably there is swearing, but the authors I read tend not to get into the “steamy” stuff. I agree that it would be nice to have some kind of rating for books like they do movies.
I think it depends on the book. And the author. Amish books have that deep heavy scripture and Christian living content anyway so people should expect that.
Other books depend on the author. Some authors like Kelly can lean on the heavier side, especially writing the Christian life into the characters lives but it’s written in a way that doesn’t bother the storyline I think. Its Christian fiction after all. I get irked at some authors labeling their books as Christian and only mention God or church a few times.
I have a winner! Catina won the drawing. I appreciate Kelly for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.