Author Mini-view:
Hello, readers! I'm pleased to introduce author Patrick E. Craig here on the blog today. Let's get this interview started!
Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing. (How did you get started? How many books have you written? Where are you on your writing journey?)
I’ve actually been writing since I was seven when I had my first article published in the school paper. I had a gifted Aunt who was a brilliant writer and a mother who encouraged me in all my creative endeavors. In school I was always the editor of the school paper and won several awards including a commendation from the Wall Street Journal for an editorial I wrote on the death of President Kennedy. After college, I became a professional musician in San Francisco and my forte was always lyric writing. I had many published and recorded songs. Then when I met the Lord in 1984, I went to Bible College and went into the ministry. I wrote several books on worship and discipleship. In 2007 I stepped out of the ministry to concentrate on something I had always wanted to do—write fiction with enduring characters, lots of romance and plenty of adventure. So far I have published two mystery books for teens and I have three Amish fiction books published by Harvest House, The Apple Creek Dreams series. My latest book, The Amish Heiress, will be released in late July.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Philippians 4:6-7: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
What have you read lately that you would recommend?
I’m a big Zane Grey fan and I just finished a terrific novel of his, “30,000 on the Hoof.” It’s a wonderful story about a pioneer couple who settle in a remote area the Arizona wilderness and raise their family. It’s filled with incredible courage and nobility in the face of hardship, danger and evil men—a really terrific book.
What book are you featuring today?
I’d like to feature The Amish Heiress, my soon to be published novel. It’s It’s a different kind of story, but then I’m not exactly known in Amish circles as someone who writes a typical Amish novel. I think that’s because I read too many Zane Grey books when I was a kid. His books had adventure, mystery, and danger and as you can see, I still read them today. For those of you expecting a typical light-hearted romance dressed in Amish clothing, you will certainly find far more than that in this story, so be prepared. But Grey was also one of the best romance writers that ever put pen to paper and, in the end, good Amish fiction has to have romance, and plenty of it. Here’s the back cover blurb for The Amish Heiress:
Rachel Hershberger’s life in Paradise, Pennsylvania is far from happy. Her papa struggles with a terrible event from the past and his emotional instability has created an irreparable breach between them. Rachel’s one desire is to leave the Amish way of life and Paradise forever. Then her prayers are answered. Rachel discovers that the strange, key-shaped red birthmark above her heart identifies her as the heir to a vast fortune left by her Englischer grandfather, Robert St. Clair. If Rachel will marry a suitable descendent of the St. Clair family she will inherit an enormous sum of money. But Rachel does not know that behind the scenes is her long dead grandfather's sister-in-law, Augusta St. Clair, a vicious woman who will do anything to keep the fortune in her own hands. Augusta’s grandson, Gerald proposes marriage and Rachel, seeing a way out of the turmoil of her life, agrees. At first everything seems perfect, but as the days pass, Rachel realizes that enormous wealth and a godless, loveless marriage will never compare to the plain ways of her people and the true love of a faithful Amish boy. And as the deceptions and intrigues of the St. Clair family bind her in their web, Rachel realizes that her change of heart may have come too late.
If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be?
In my new book, The Amish Heiress, the most important thought I want my readers to come away with is that the law does not save you, only Jesus saves you. The Bible tells us that 'Salvation Belongs To The Lord' - Ps 3:8. Yet, Christians believe that, after we are saved, we have to work to keep our salvation. The difference between 'religion' and the gospel of grace is that religion adds burdens by announcing that Jesus plus something equals everything while the gospel of grace absorbs burdens by announcing that Jesus plus nothing equals everything. Law feels safe. Grace feels risky. We often speak about grace with a thousand qualifications which reveal a paralyzing fear that grace will be taken too far.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing. (How did you get started? How many books have you written? Where are you on your writing journey?)
I’ve actually been writing since I was seven when I had my first article published in the school paper. I had a gifted Aunt who was a brilliant writer and a mother who encouraged me in all my creative endeavors. In school I was always the editor of the school paper and won several awards including a commendation from the Wall Street Journal for an editorial I wrote on the death of President Kennedy. After college, I became a professional musician in San Francisco and my forte was always lyric writing. I had many published and recorded songs. Then when I met the Lord in 1984, I went to Bible College and went into the ministry. I wrote several books on worship and discipleship. In 2007 I stepped out of the ministry to concentrate on something I had always wanted to do—write fiction with enduring characters, lots of romance and plenty of adventure. So far I have published two mystery books for teens and I have three Amish fiction books published by Harvest House, The Apple Creek Dreams series. My latest book, The Amish Heiress, will be released in late July.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Philippians 4:6-7: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
What have you read lately that you would recommend?
I’m a big Zane Grey fan and I just finished a terrific novel of his, “30,000 on the Hoof.” It’s a wonderful story about a pioneer couple who settle in a remote area the Arizona wilderness and raise their family. It’s filled with incredible courage and nobility in the face of hardship, danger and evil men—a really terrific book.
What book are you featuring today?
I’d like to feature The Amish Heiress, my soon to be published novel. It’s It’s a different kind of story, but then I’m not exactly known in Amish circles as someone who writes a typical Amish novel. I think that’s because I read too many Zane Grey books when I was a kid. His books had adventure, mystery, and danger and as you can see, I still read them today. For those of you expecting a typical light-hearted romance dressed in Amish clothing, you will certainly find far more than that in this story, so be prepared. But Grey was also one of the best romance writers that ever put pen to paper and, in the end, good Amish fiction has to have romance, and plenty of it. Here’s the back cover blurb for The Amish Heiress:
Rachel Hershberger’s life in Paradise, Pennsylvania is far from happy. Her papa struggles with a terrible event from the past and his emotional instability has created an irreparable breach between them. Rachel’s one desire is to leave the Amish way of life and Paradise forever. Then her prayers are answered. Rachel discovers that the strange, key-shaped red birthmark above her heart identifies her as the heir to a vast fortune left by her Englischer grandfather, Robert St. Clair. If Rachel will marry a suitable descendent of the St. Clair family she will inherit an enormous sum of money. But Rachel does not know that behind the scenes is her long dead grandfather's sister-in-law, Augusta St. Clair, a vicious woman who will do anything to keep the fortune in her own hands. Augusta’s grandson, Gerald proposes marriage and Rachel, seeing a way out of the turmoil of her life, agrees. At first everything seems perfect, but as the days pass, Rachel realizes that enormous wealth and a godless, loveless marriage will never compare to the plain ways of her people and the true love of a faithful Amish boy. And as the deceptions and intrigues of the St. Clair family bind her in their web, Rachel realizes that her change of heart may have come too late.
If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be?
In my new book, The Amish Heiress, the most important thought I want my readers to come away with is that the law does not save you, only Jesus saves you. The Bible tells us that 'Salvation Belongs To The Lord' - Ps 3:8. Yet, Christians believe that, after we are saved, we have to work to keep our salvation. The difference between 'religion' and the gospel of grace is that religion adds burdens by announcing that Jesus plus something equals everything while the gospel of grace absorbs burdens by announcing that Jesus plus nothing equals everything. Law feels safe. Grace feels risky. We often speak about grace with a thousand qualifications which reveal a paralyzing fear that grace will be taken too far.
About the Author:
Author Bio:
Patrick E. Craig is a lifelong writer and musician who left a successful songwriting and performance career in the music industry to follow Christ in 1984. He spent the next 26 years as a worship leader, seminar speaker, and pastor in churches, and at retreats, seminars and conferences all across the western United States. In 2011 he signed a three-book deal with Harvest House Publishers to publish his Apple Creek Dreams series. The books are historical Amish fiction and the first book, A Quilt for Jenna, was released February 1, 2013. The second book in the series, The Road Home, was released September 1, 2013. Book number three, Jenny’s Choice, came out February 1, 2014. His current series is The Paradise Chronicles and the first book, The Amish Heiress, will be out in August, 2015. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency. Patrick and his wife Judy make their home in Idaho and are the parents of two adult children and have five grandchildren.
Where can readers find me online?
www.patrickecraig.com (Webpage)
https://www.facebook.com/PatrickECraig (Facebook)
https://twitter.com/PatrickECraig (Twitter)
http://tinyurl.com/pn5rzf9 (LinkedIn)
Where can readers purchase the Apple Creek Dreams Series?
http://tinyurl.com/n6sfagg (Amazon)
http://tinyurl.com/ou2kb2y (Barnes & Noble)
The Amish Heiress will be available in August on Amazon, B&N and GoodReads.
Patrick E. Craig is a lifelong writer and musician who left a successful songwriting and performance career in the music industry to follow Christ in 1984. He spent the next 26 years as a worship leader, seminar speaker, and pastor in churches, and at retreats, seminars and conferences all across the western United States. In 2011 he signed a three-book deal with Harvest House Publishers to publish his Apple Creek Dreams series. The books are historical Amish fiction and the first book, A Quilt for Jenna, was released February 1, 2013. The second book in the series, The Road Home, was released September 1, 2013. Book number three, Jenny’s Choice, came out February 1, 2014. His current series is The Paradise Chronicles and the first book, The Amish Heiress, will be out in August, 2015. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency. Patrick and his wife Judy make their home in Idaho and are the parents of two adult children and have five grandchildren.
Where can readers find me online?
www.patrickecraig.com (Webpage)
https://www.facebook.com/PatrickECraig (Facebook)
https://twitter.com/PatrickECraig (Twitter)
http://tinyurl.com/pn5rzf9 (LinkedIn)
Where can readers purchase the Apple Creek Dreams Series?
http://tinyurl.com/n6sfagg (Amazon)
http://tinyurl.com/ou2kb2y (Barnes & Noble)
The Amish Heiress will be available in August on Amazon, B&N and GoodReads.
Giveaway!
Patrick is giving away a paperback copy of "The Amish Heiress" to one lucky winner! To enter the giveaway, simply fill out the Giveaway Tools form below. Giveaway ends 6/30. Good luck and happy reading!
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