Shannon here: Amish romance author, Laura V. Hilton shares how she met her husband and a chance to win a copy of her latest release: A Harvest of Hearts. Comment on any post dated August 28 – Sept 2 for a chance to win. Deadline: Sept 3, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Laura:
It was a hot summer evening. I’d just gotten back to my quiet apartment in Springfield, Missouri, after visiting with Mom for the weekend.
I’d carried up the last bag—Mom kept me well supplied with groceries—when the phone rang. It was my friend, Greg, a guy who was in the College and Career class at church.
A few of us have started meeting routinely for prayer and Bible study. He asked me if I wanted to come over that night, and I refused. I was tired, etc. He said that a few were getting together to have Bible Study.
I guess I wasn’t very good at saying “no.” I asked Greg who was going to be there. He started rattling off names.
Then he said “Steve.”
He got my attention there. “Hold on. Steve who?”
He said, “Hilton.”
“Who’s he?”
“He just got out of the Navy.”
Okay, a new guy. I told Greg I was on my way. And I went.
Steve and Greg and a couple other guys were playing Bible Trivia when I arrived. Greg put the game up, and everyone went out to the backyard and I got my first good look at Steve.
That’s the man you’re going to marry. I heard that as plain as day.
And I responded Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t even know him.
But that didn’t stop me from grilling Steve—asking all about him—which is very out of character for me. I remember Greg just sitting there, jaw on the ground, especially when I told Steve I bet he was the cutest doc in the Navy.
I don’t remember who else was there that night, or even what we studied in the Bible, but that meeting started a whirlwind romance. We were married three months later.
About Laura: 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. Learn more: http://laurav.hilton.blogspot.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
About the book: 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?
Come back August 31st for Laura’s romantic interview.
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What a great story, Laura sounds like a busy woman! – and the book sounds intriguing – can’t wait to check it out
And who said there’s no such thing as love at first sight?:) Great story! Can’t wait to read Laura’s book!
I read Laura’s first book in this series, and couldn’t put it down! Looking forward to reading the 2nd and 3rd! 🙂
This sounds like a very good book. I can’t wait to read it!
I met my husband at college and my first impression was that he was nuts! But, I went to bed that night praying I’d marry him! We’ve been married for over 17 years now! I definitely believe in love at first sight! 🙂
Dear Laura, your story was so touching, sounds wonderful, isn’t it amazing how God works things out for us. I met my husband Martty in grade school, we rode the bus together throughout grade school and high school, saved each other a seat every day. Needless to say I really had a crush on him from the moment I saw him and it lasted for so many years. Since we were friends, we never dated at all during those school years. We both had graduated and he had moved to another county, never forgot him though, we lost connection with each other for 6 years. One day I wrote to him and he wrote me back, that was a time that you still wrote letters. We started dating in August 1981, engaged on Christmas Eve, and then married on April 14th, 1982. We have three children together, two daughters, one son. Plus now we have two grandsons and one granddaughter. God has really blessed our family. Looking forward to reading your future novels. Take care, Sincerely, Helen Gardner
I just got Laura’s first book in this series and can’t wait to get started. My husband and I dated only 2 weeks before we decided to get married. I knew he was the one immediately and we were married less than 6 months later. Twenty-five years later, our love is stronger than ever. So I am a true believer in real life romance.
I enjoy reading Laura’s book reviews each week. They are wonderful.
I had never heard how you met Steve before! Thanks for sharing that!
Thank you, Mrs. Hilton, for sharing your personal love story.
I hope you have many more years together!
Lisa
Oh my goodness, Laura, my story of the Lord telling me that I was going to marry my dh is the same as yours! (However, it took two more months before he heard the same thing from the Lord and his response was, “She’s not exactly what I had in mind.” What he had in mind was a size 8, not a size 14, lol!) I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and it is currently be read by one of my daughters with the other daughter having dibs on it next. I’m looking forward to reading “A Harvest of Hearts” soon.
Whay a lovely story. How sweet it is to find your one true love. Precious Memories caryy us when we have bad days and then look back to where we felt so loved. Thanks for your story. Please enter me in your new book give away. I reasd the first one and couldnt put it doan. I am sure book2 will be just the same. Hope I win.
Please enter me in the drawing.
Glad everyone’s enjoying Laura’s story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Shannon looks like you have found another author to add to my must read list. Please enter me in the drawing for the book.
I just loved your story Laura about how you met your husband. Actually you could honestly say..love at first sight!
I married my adult sunday school teacher 7 1/2 years ago. Unlike you, I didn’t hear any voice saying, that’s the man you are going to marry. I hadn’t planned on marrying again after my husband died. God had other plans!
I would like to be entered into this contest to win a copy of your book. I’m sure it will be just as good as book 1.
Great story. I am so thrilled that there are new author’s arriving on the Amish Fiction scene all the time!!! At one time I thought I would run out of books to read and I would have to start re-reading them….lol. Tis not the case. Thanks for sharing with us Shannon.
What a wonderful story! I have not read anything by this author yet, so would love to win her book.Thank you for the wonderful interview. I must put Book 1 on my reading list.
I loved the story of how Laura and Steve met. You don’t hear enough about long and happy marriages anymore. Also, her new book sound wonderful. Would love the chance to read it.
I know Laura personally & I loved her first Amish book. Can’t wait to read the 2nd one. I’d love to win!