Welcome to Takeover Tuesday!
Amy Clipston is here to share a bit about her latest release, The Farm Stand. You can win one of three (3) print copies of the book (US ONLY). Enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. Click To Tweet (Giveaway ends May 19, 2020 If you are the randomly chosen winner, I’ll contact you.)
The Story Behind the Story—The Farm Stand…
I’m so excited that The Farm Stand, the second installment in my Amish Marketplace series, released on May 5th. The series features four cousins who reach run booths at the nearby marketplace. I can’t wait for readers to spend more time with Salina and her cousins, as well as meet Will Zimmerman, the Old Order Mennonite who owns the restaurant across the street from the marketplace.
Salina Petersheim runs her own booth at the Amish market, where she’s known for having the freshest and most delicious produce in the area. Her father is the bishop of her church district, and her brother is a deacon. They are a very close family, yet sometimes she tires of being compared to her older brother, Neil, who is married and has two children. She also feels the pressure of having to be the perfect daughter for her parents.
Salina has been dating Josiah for almost a year now, but he feels more like a friend than a boyfriend. Her parents approve of Josiah, who is a hardworking roofer. He’s handsome and easy to talk to, but he just doesn’t warm her heart the way she feels a boyfriend and future husband should. She secretly longs for more.
Along comes William “Will” Zimmerman, a Mennonite chef who runs a restaurant located next door to the Amish market. He wants Salina to supply the produce for his restaurant, and as they forge a business relationship, they both feel themselves falling in love. Salina especially tries to deny her feelings for Will since her father wants her to marry within the community. Both Salina and Will feel stuck in their current relationships, but they cannot deny what they feel for each other. Will they follow their hearts or bow to the pressure of family? Or will God provide a surprising new road for them?
Will is my first Old Order Mennonite character, which meant I had a lot of research to do for this book. While the Old Order Mennonites have a lot in common with Old Order Amish, there are differences in the way they live and also how they worship. While the Old Order Mennonites have horses and buggies like the Old Order Amish, they also use electricity and they share church their church buildings with the more modern Mennonites. Old Order Amish do not use electricity, and they worship in their homes or barns. Old Order Amish women wear dresses that are solid colors, while the Old Order Mennonites wear dresses that have designs.
I’m grateful for my dear friend Cindy, who introduced me to her Old Order Mennonite friend. Cindy’s friend not only answered my questions, but she also read the draft to make sure my details were authentic.
This series was inspired by my Amish friend and her daughters who used to work at a market. For research, I visited the Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market in Bird-in-Hand, PA.
I can’t wait for readers to meet Salina and Will, who are my favorite characters in this series so far. I had a wonderful time creating their story and watching their friendship develop into so much more. I dedicated this book to my literary agent, Natasha Kern. I’m so very grateful for Natasha’s friendship and guidance.
Excerpt (from Chapter 1)…
Salina Petersheim huffed as she pulled two wagons piled high with boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables across the parking lot at the Bird-in-Hand marketplace. The hot Pennsylvania morning air felt like a smothering, wet blanket, and perspiration pooled at the base of her neck as she blew out a puff of air to push the ties of her prayer covering out of her face.
Customers’ cars already filled nearly all the spaces in the lot, a sign that it would be another busy day in July. She looked toward the front of the building, where people already stood in line waiting for the market to open.
Her shoulders tightened with frustration, and she silently scolded herself. Why hadn’t she set her alarm before she climbed into bed last night? She was running nearly thirty minutes behind, which meant she’d not only made her driver wait but she would still be stocking the shelves in her Farm Stand booth when all those customers spilled in through the front doors. The market was open only Thursday through Saturday each week, and since today was Thursday, she had to set up all her produce at once.
If only Josiah and his family hadn’t stayed so late after supper last night, she might not have been so tired that she forgot to set her alarm.
Ashamed to be placing blame on her boyfriend, she pushed the thought away. Then she heaved and yanked as the wheels of the two wagons hit the ramp. She pulled them to the top and halted, hoping they would stay in place as she pulled her key card from her pocket to unlock the back door reserved for vendors. Once the door was open, she managed to pull the wagons through without help and then start her journey to her booth, grateful it was near the back of the building.
My review…
This is the second installment in Clipston’s Amish Marketplace series, and it’s a wonderful addition. The books can standalone, but it will make the connection to the characters a bit stronger if you read them in order.
The characters are endearing and well-developed in this sweet romance. The story is well-paced, and Clipston’s writing pulls the reader in, making them feel a part of the story. In particular, I could almost taste the produce, as well as the items Will made!
Will and Salina were charming—my favorites in the series thus far. It’s not easy for Salina, being the bishop’s daughter, especially when she is drawn to Will, a Mennonite chef. I enjoyed how they both looked to God and trusted Him for their next steps, knowing that things happen in His time vs. ours.
It was nice to see some familiar faces from the first book in the series, and I look forward to learning more about Salina’s cousins in upcoming books.
One of my favorite quotes:
“I trust you God–with my life, as messy as it seems right now.”
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
About Amy…
Amy Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing “career” began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan University and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America.
She has sold more than one million books and is best known for her Amish fiction. She is the author of the bestselling Amish Marketplace series, Amish Homestead series, Amish Heirloom series, Kauffman Amish Bakery series, and Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series with HarperCollins Christian Publishing.
Amy works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC, and lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats.
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Rules for giveaway can be found here.
Farm stands are the best–fresh produce is delicious. I enjoy buying cherries, peaches, and apples.
I agree! We need more of them where I live. I love them.
Good luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog.
My grandparents had a farm stand. I guess strawberries were always my favorite. ?
Thank you! Stay safe.
Oh, that’s awesome! I love strawberries, too. I think my favorite fruit from our local stands would be peaches.
You’re welcome. Thanks for visiting my blog. Good luck! Stay safe.
I’ve only been to a farm stand a couple of times. The first being in a nearby town in the countryside to get fresh tomatoes in the summer. And the second time was whilst on vacation in Ireland. We got fresh strawberries and homemade lemonade. Fresh always tastes so good!
I love tomatoes from farm stands. They’re always so much fresher than what you find in a store. It sounds like you had a wonderful visit to the stand in Ireland.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Good luck!
Exciting love farm stands and markets. Can wait to read this. Congratulations on your release
Thanks for stopping by, Lori. Good luck!
Yes I have, but it has been a long time ago. I mainly bought some type of fruit.
Patti, I love the fresh fruit at them, as well.
Good luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog!
I have been to a farmstand and have enjoyed everything I have bought, especially the tomatoes and watermelons.
Doris, I love the fresh tomatoes, as well!
Thanks for visiting my blog. Good luck!
When we visited PA (York, PA) years ago, we went to the big Farmer Market that sold everything! I loved getting the Whoopie Pies 🙂 This looks like a great series for my mom!
Oh, that would’ve been fun! I went to one that sounds similar when I visited the Lancaster area years ago. I love Whoopie Pies!
Good luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog!
I enjoyed reading your interview with Amy and I am looking forward to reading The Farm Stand Since I don’t live far from Lancaster I enjoy visiting the farm stands Thank you for the chance towin a coy of The Farm Stand
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Patti. Thanks for visiting my blog.
I think you’ll enjoy it, esp. as it sounds like you’re familiar with the farm stands. How cool!
Good luck!
Amish farm stands are the best, especially in the summer when they are bursting with fresh fruits and veggies. I love going to the Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market, so this story really resonated with me.
Oh, that’s great! I hope you enjoy the book. Good luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog!
I love farm stands. Especially in Lancaster County. Sometimes they have shoo fly pie! But I usually buy tomatoes and corn. I just ate fresh strawberries and blueberries this morning from a farmstand nearby. The best!
I love buying the tomatoes, as well. Peaches are another favorite for me. (But now I’m hungry for strawberries and blueberries, lol! I wish I was close to a farm stand!)
Good luck. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
One of the farm stands I used to visit in the Central Valley had the juiciest, sweetest strawberries ever! I also loved their sun-ripened tomatoes. Amy Clipston is one of my favorite authors, and I will look forward to reading this new release. Thank you for the interesting guest post and the generous giveaway. :0}
Yum! Those sound wonderful.
You’re very welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Good luck! Thanks for visiting my blog.
I have visited a farm stand before — usually in California. Some were really just an open stand on the farmer’s land next to the road. Some were more of a ‘real’ store / farmer’s market in a bigger, substantial building. Hubby loves fruit so that would always be a purchase, but we also would get produce – perhaps zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, green bell peppers.
And here in Oklahoma, and more recently, we would stop at a truck or trailer parked off the street selling cantaloupe or watermellon.
We have a few stands like that near me, as well. I like the fruit, but I always come home with tomatoes, too.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Good luck!
I’ve been to many farm stands. I love purchasing fresh produce, flowers, jams and preserves, basically whatever I’m drawn to on a particular day. This series sounds wonderful!
I love the fresh produce, too. It’s a great series, and I think you’ll enjoy it.
Good luck. Thanks for visiting my blog!
Yes, I buy heirloom tomatoes and peaches!
Those are my favorites to buy, too, Linda!
Thanks for stopping by. Good luck!
Our Extension be Service offers a place for farmers to sell their produce two days a week during the growing season. We also have some Amish families who bring produce to sell across from our little country store. I love getting fresh vegetables till my own are ready!
Oh, that’s great, Connie! The produce at farm stands really does taste different (and better) than what you find in a grocery store.
Good luck, and thanks for visiting my blog!
I miss the farmstands in MI! My favorite thing to buy was concord grapes.
We don’t have many where I live. I don’t think I’ve ever seen grapes, but I enjoy the peaches and tomatoes.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Good luck!
Yes I have visited a farm stand before, I like the fresh corn on the cob,, strawberries, peas.salad making”s
Great choices! Fresh produce is the best.
Good luck, and thanks for stopping by.
I have visited a Pumpkin patch in Arthur, Illinois. They had a stand outside the entrance. Inside there was a bakery shop. I bought pumpkin bars and pumpkin bread. Very good. Loved seeing the horses and buggies.
We have a pumpkin patch near us, Caroline. We’ve never picked our own, just chosen from those they have on display. I much prefer their bakery. It sounds like yours is similar. Such a wonderful place to visit. Thanks for sharing.
Good luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog.
I love pumpkin patches. Have fun when it is time.
Thanks! You, too!
Farm Stands have the best produce and other products.
Yes, they sure do, Linda!
Thanks for visiting my blog. Good luck!
Farm stand are great! I grew up on an onion farm where we also raised all types of vegetables. My brother decided to make some extra money by selling onions by the road. This gradually grew into a real side business for my parents when they started selling all types of vegetables along with the onions. (This brother is now 71 yrs. old!)
Wonderful! Your brother sure had a great idea!
Thanks for sharing, Irene. Good luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.
I love farm stands! I’ve never been disappointed with them. In the summer my town has one every Saturday and I always make sure to go.
We have some in our area on Saturdays, as well. Last year there wasn’t as many, which was sad. I hope they are able to return this year.
Thanks for visiting my blog, Meredith. Good luck!
Buying fresh corn
Great choice!
Good luck, Leland, and thanks for stopping by!
Love fresh corn
I enjoy the fresh corn, too, Xia.
Good luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.
I saw farm stands in Florida when i was a kid and at the local farmer’s market here. I miss having a garden and getting fresh corn, green beans, cucumbers, and zuchinni.
Nothing beats fresh fruits and vegetables.
Good luck, Vivian. Thanks for visiting my blog.
The Amish people fascinate me. My parents had friends that were Amish clear back when. I had a glass Amish sign from them but unfortunately lost it amid one of my moves. So heartbreaking it’s gone.
Oh, I’m sorry sorry to hear that it got lost. I’m sure it was wonderful, as their products have such great craftsmanship.
Good luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog.
I love going to the farmer’s market here and getting fresh produce & other treats! I just hope this year with COVID-19 it doesn’t mess it up 🙁
I’ve heard that some in my state will open in June with modifications, but I’m not sure what those are. I hope yours do, as well.
Good luck! Thanks for stopping by.
I took my mother to the local farmers’ market only one time. A younger family member made it impossible for me to see much because she just wanted to walk around as that is her habit when outdoors, and I was responsible for her so that was my focus.
I’m sorry you weren’t able to enjoy your trip, Roxanne. I hope you’re able to go again in the future.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Good luck!
We visited a farm when I was growing up.
I’m glad you had a chance to go, Debi.
Good luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog.
We have a local fruit stand that is my favorite to go to. Most the time no one is working it and you put your money in the box on the wall. Nothing beat fresh produce and helping the local community. I think my favorite to get is peaches.
We found a small stand like that near us last year. Not a lot of products, but we found what we were looking for. I agree about helping the local community. Peaches are my faves, as well.
Good luck! Thanks for visiting my blog.
I grew up in California, we could actually pick fruit or buy. Nothing more tasty. I would love to learn more about the Amish, Menoite community. Love, romance, would love to win!
I would LOVE to have fruit trees! You’re right. Fresh fruit and vegetables are the best.
Good luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.