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Karen Harper | Mixing Amish Amateur Sleuths With Romance
July 11, 2012
For years I've written stories that my publisher, Mira Books, calls romantic
suspense, and my July novella THE COVERED BRIDGE in the anthology DARK CROSSINGS is no
exception. I'm happy to share this book with two other writers of Amish
romantic/suspense, Marta Perry and Patricia Davids, who each contributed
novellas. For those of us who find our summer schedule full of (hopefully
great) distractions, reading the shorter length novellas is a nice break.
Besides, three stories, three writers in one book! When I was first published in romantic suspense in 1999, the bookstores couldn't
decide whether to place the books under romance or mystery. Borders Books (rest
their soul—miss them!) and Barnes & Noble never agreed on where to
shelve them. But, thank heavens, readers knew where to seek them out. I'm not sure the genre labels matter as much as they used to. Readers, those
who get their novels through the e-reading world and those who want the book in
their hands, find the authors and stories they want in their own way.
Meanwhile, I'm still writing the books I love to read, call it suspense, romance
or romantic suspense. I love heroines who turn into amateur sleuths—not because they're bored or
nosy, but because their life or the life of a loved one depends on it. Along
the way, they find the love of their life, who usually helps them solve the
crime that has impacted them. This is the basic structure of my Amish-set
novels where the heroine is Amish and the hero often is not. But in my latest
rom/sus, the Amish heroine, Abigail Baughman, is in love with an Amish man who
used to date her sister. Ben Kline struggles to help her solve a crime before
they becomes the next victims. One of the intriguing things about writing Amish romance is that, if the heroine
falls for a "worldly man," she can be shunned (or banned) from her beloved the
Amish people. Likewise, if an Amish woman chooses a relationship with a shunned
Amish man, she too can be shunned. Ben has returned to the Plain People after
living in the world, but he's been shunned for an act of violence, and Abigail
should not even be near him. Yet she desperately needs his help and protection.
Ah, forbidden love! How many of us have not found that tempting? Abigail realizes she's going to have to face her fears and, in a way, fight back
despite the fact that the Amish believe in nonviolence and in turning the other
cheek. Something strange is going on at night on the old covered bridge that
connects Ben's property with hers across the river, and someone's been in her
house. But her other worry is that Ben might not earn his way back to his
people so they can really be together. I love writing about the Amish. They are fascinating people and perfect for
romantic suspense. The Plain People live isolated lives. They do not have
phones in their homes, nor do they trust the legal authorities like police or
lawyers. This distrust stems from the days when they were persecuted and
martyred in Europe—and they have not forgotten. The Amish have a saying, "It's not all cakes and pies." (I've also heard, "It's
not all quilts and pies.") When danger and temptation invade their quiet lives,
the shock—and the response—is magnified. They do things by their
own rules, so solving a crime impacts them more as Abigail and Ben discover in
THE COVERED BRIDGE. Happy summer reading, especially to the three Fresh Fiction visitors who win a
copy of DARK CROSSINGS! Karen Harper is the
New York Times bestselling author of contemporary suspense and
historical novels. A former high school and university instructor, she and her
husband divide their time between Ohio and Florida.
Comments
29 comments posted.
Re: Karen Harper | Mixing Amish Amateur Sleuths With Romance
That's a great cover photo. My first sight of Amish life would have been in The Witness. It must be a very difficult choice to stay amid the people and situations and beliefs you have known all your lfe, or to go away to a strange and less supportive way of life with a lover. How would you find a job, learn to use the internet, drive a car? How would you get on if you didn't?
(Clare O'Beara 6:51am July 11, 2012)
We grew up in NJ and went to Lancaster, PA very often. I loved seeing the Amish's way of life and their cooking is wonderful...simple but wonderful.
(Bonnie Capuano 7:53am July 11, 2012)
Hi Karen, I love Amish stories, suspense, mystery, romance and toss them all together and Dark Crossings has to be a great story. Looking forward to reading and have on my wish list. I love the Amish way of life where they keep things simple yet nourishing their soul, family and friends.
(Brenda Hill 9:54am July 11, 2012)
I have just been introduced to your writing within the last year, and have become a huge fan. I've passed all books onto my reader friends and they feel the same way. This current book is one I haven't read yet but have been wanting to read this series.
(Stephanie Strausberger 10:32am July 11, 2012)
I love Amish fiction! Marta Perry is one of my faves as is Vanetta Chapman and Barbara Cameron. Would so love to read this one. It sounds fantastic!
(Karen Gervasi 11:20am July 11, 2012)
I miss Borders, too! I did get some really great reads when they were closing, though. I have never read Amish fiction, but I LOVED the movie The Witness. It was awesome.
(Sandy Fielder 11:52am July 11, 2012)
The book sounds great - and I'd LOVE to be a winner. Thanks for the chance. Best of luck with it. Nancy
(Nancy Reynolds 1:05pm July 11, 2012)
Hi Karen,
Any chance that you may do an Amish book based on the cuttings that have taken placed recently in the area that I am from which is northeast Ohio?
Best of luck!
(Lori Yost 1:09pm July 11, 2012)
I love stories about the Amish. Its hard to live a life that way in most peoples eyes, but leaving has to be hard. i would love to read your book! thanks
(Kim Cornwell 2:07pm July 11, 2012)
I have not read any Amish fiction before... thank you for sharing and for giving us the chance to win a copy of your book.
(Colleen Conklin 2:12pm July 11, 2012)
Hi to all "Posters":
Lori: No, I haven't used the incident yet of the "hair cutters" in Ohio, but it may show up in another novel. Lately, anything the Amish do out of character makes the news. Thanks for everyone's good wishes. I'm heading for the ThrillerFest conference in NYC--all thriller, suspense, mystery writers! Do any of you live near Amish settlements?
(Karen Harper 5:03pm July 11, 2012)
I love reading Amish fiction stories. I would really love to win and read this interesting book you've written! It sounds good!
(Linda Luinstra 6:27pm July 11, 2012)
The Amish way of life is simple, old-fashioned living, hard-working and interesting beliefs and ways. Very enjoyable to read about, even when fictional. I would enjoy reading this!
(Rich Cook 6:41pm July 11, 2012)
I'm a fan of all genres so I don't pay much attention to classifications. The Covered Bridge sounds like a great read.
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 8:20pm July 11, 2012)
It sounds like a peaceful story and I enjoy reads of all sorts.
(Darci Paice 8:53pm July 11, 2012)
I do like novellas in the summer since you can read a story quickly.
(Maureen Emmons 9:12pm July 11, 2012)
I've read many Amish books before, but I can't say that I've ever read an Amish mystery before. I would be honored if your book was my first. I love the way you respect the people, and it sounds like you really did your homework on their lifestyle as well. This book is on my TBR list for the Summer!! I have met and and the pleasure of speaking with a couple of Amish men this year, and found them to be quite shy, reserved, yet charming in their own way. Thank you for keeping their heritage alive, since you are a pathway into their life.
(Peggy Roberson 9:38pm July 11, 2012)
Enjoyed your blog. Amish stories are great reads.
(Sheila True 11:01pm July 11, 2012)
Your book sounds very interesting. You have a mix which makes for a enjoyable read plus a mystery. Looking forward to reading your book and hope to win a copy. Thank you and keep writing with such charming style.
(Shirley Sego 11:05pm July 11, 2012)
I think the mix of mystery and romance make for a perfect book to read---and the Amish touch is just a big plus.
(Sue Farrell 9:49am July 12, 2012)
I am not too far from the Amish in Geauga County. There are some but mostly Mennonitie in Summit County which is where I live. I am about an hour or so from Holmes County.
(Lori Yost 11:22am July 12, 2012)
Oh I have to enter...I am a big fan of amish fiction.....the book review sounds soo good......
(Lnda McFarland 1:15pm July 12, 2012)
hi,karen... i've never read about amish story but i love suspense, i'd love to be your winner
(Rosalina Rusli 1:38pm July 12, 2012)
I love your comment about "not all quilts and pies." That's great as it simply
says there is much more to the Amish than meets the eye in the items they
produce. I am enthralled about the Amish as well. Reading about them in
novels reveals them as they truly are as a genuinely good and loving people
and not some quiet and dark cult as people used to think of them.
I am glad that more combined genres are being written. It gives the author a
chance to diversify and expand his or her writing talents while giving the
reader a different or "improved" if you will, storyline. The plot of "Dark
Crossings" sounds very intriguing and I'm very much looking forward to
reading it.
(Connie Fischer 4:54pm July 12, 2012)
Oh, but those cakes, pies and bread are delicious. I understand about shunning when the people don't toe the line including the Amish.
(Alyson Widen 6:43pm July 12, 2012)
Hi Karen. I love the Amish stories. I live just up the road from Lancaster PA. It seems the Amish have been around my whole life, especially now that I live so close to one of their communities. They continue to fascinate and intrigue even those of us who live near them. I would love to read this book. It seems we can't get enough of Amish fiction!
(Mary Perry 7:36pm July 12, 2012)
I'm looking forward to reading the book. Thank you for the contest.
(Rita Wray 7:40pm July 12, 2012)
Amish stories are among my favorite. I would love to read DARK CROSSINGS thank you.
(Mary Preston 8:19pm July 12, 2012)
I love reading about the Amish. Christian Fiction is my genre of choice. Would love to read your DARK CROSSINGS.
(Pat Moore 2:23pm August 1, 2012)
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