In THE HALLOWED ONES, I
wanted to explore the ideas of chaos and order. Most of the time, we tend to
frown upon chaos and elevate order as a virtue. Chaos feels dangerous, opening
up unknown possibilities. Order seems predicable, a way to keep us warm and safe.
And it certainly feels that way to Katie, my Amish heroine. Katie is on the
verge of her Rumspringa, the time when she can experiment a bit with the
outside world. She wants to explore controlled chaos, the kind of exhilaration
that we all want with pushing limits. She wants to venture to the nearby city,
to meet people beyond her own small world, to wear jeans and read comic books.
She's read every book in the public library she can get her hands on. She yearns
to know what's beyond the confines of her fence. It's the bright side of chaos
that makes us feel alive, and Katie is no exception to those feelings.
Before Katie can experiment with Rumspringa, the outside world is
overtaken by chaos. Katie's community is a safe haven, seemingly spared by the
darkness. But she knows that evil and silence are waiting beyond her fence.
There are rumors of unrest and violence, but there are no cars on the road. No
lights in the distance at night. No planes in the sky.
And order does have a dark side. The Elders of Katie's community fear contagion
and declare that no one is allowed in or out of their settlement. Katie becomes
aware of the constraints of order as she questions rules that disturb her own
moral compass. When she finds an injured young man just outside her fence, she
cannot leave him to die. She brings him inside - but what evil is he bringing in
with him? And if she is discovered harboring him, will she be shunned and cast
out of her community?
As we all do, Katie must balance the forces of order and chaos in her own life.
She must decide which rules are morally acceptable, and what she will risk to
protect her loved ones.
If your home was the last safe place on earth, would you let a stranger in?
Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when
teenagers can get a taste of the real world. But the real world comes to her in
this dystopian tale with a philosophical bent. Rumors of massive unrest on the
"Outside" abound. Something murderous is out there. Amish elders make a rule: No
one goes outside, and no outsiders come in. But when Katie finds a gravely
injured young man, she can't leave him to die. She smuggles him into her
family's barn—at what cost to her community? The suspense of this vividly
told, truly horrific thriller will keep the pages turning.
"This is a book to make you fear the shadows--a horrifying and gruesome
tale of faith, and things that blink red eyes in the night. I began reading in
the daylight, and read on into the late hours, leaning close, biting my lip. I
could not look away; I was obsessed. Katie is an unbreakable
soul." --Lauren DeStefano, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling
author of the Chemical Garden Trilogy
"What an eerily believable, unique story! I can't stop thinking about
it—or shivering."
—Melissa Marr, New York Times best-selling author of the Wicked Lovely series
"Readers will find it hard to put down this suspenseful, scary, compulsively
readable adventure..." -Kirkus Reviews
For more info about Laura and her books,
please visit her website at www.laurabickle.com. She's also on Facebook and Twitter, usually
exclaiming over cute cat pictures and nerdy things.
I love reading about the Amish. We were just talking about the Rumspringa at my brother's and his wife's house last week. So fascinating! (Vicki Hancock 2:07am October 7, 2012)
I've recently started reading Amish fiction, reading Dark Crossings which like your tale is three novellas of what happens when outsiders bring crime into Amish communities. I find a lot of interest in the lifestyle and I always enjoy reading culture contrast. (Clare O'Beara 4:59am October 7, 2012)
I really enjoy reading about the Amish, i am fascinated with the lifestyle. Thanks so much for the chance to win! (Christine Mead 9:48am October 7, 2012)
Thanks so much for stopping by, Vicki, Clare, and Christine! I grew up not too far from a large Amish settlement, and the Plain way of life is fascinating to me! (Laura Bickle 11:13am October 7, 2012)
To answer your question: I don't know. I really don't think anyone could say, "Definitely ye," or "Definitely no" without having to think seriously about how it would affect everyone in that home, and all the connections that home has to others. And personally, if someone says that they could say one or the other without thinking about it, I wouldn't want to be connected with them in any way, shape or form, should such a situation ever arise.
OK, that should be: "Definitely yes", not "Definitely ye."
Why, oh why does my brain run so far ahead of my fingers sometimes?!?
Later,
Lynn (again!) (Lynn Rettig 1:50pm October 7, 2012)
The storyline sounds intriguing. From the exception, it sounds that there is an epidemic going on in the outside world and the Amish world is soon to be impacted. After all, is life about making decisions and hoping that the decision is made with few consequences? I would love to read this book. (Kai Wong 2:38pm October 7, 2012)
I enjoy reading about the culture of the Amish, but would not open my door to just any old stranger. (Alyson Widen 4:22pm October 7, 2012)
I read the excerpt, and was so disappointed that it ended!! I wanted more!! This is definately going to be a real page-turner, and I can't wait to read it!! For those that don't have this book on their TBR list, shame on them!! You have a gift of telling your story in such a way that when someone reads what you've written, it's as if it's occurring right in front of you - almost like a movie, but in your minds' eye!! That's a special talent. The other plus for me is that the book deals with the Amish, which I have enjoyed reading about for a long time now. The cover is tasteful and beautifully done. Congratulations!! (Peggy Roberson 5:48pm October 7, 2012)
Thank you so much, Peggy! Your comments really warmed my heart. Thank you! :-)
Hi, Lynn, Kai, and Alyson! The end of the world really pushes my characters to consider things they would never have before...I think that kind of pressure really strips back the illusions and shows people for who they are. I can't say how I'd react in the same situation, but it's interesting to think about. (Laura Bickle 7:25pm October 7, 2012)