Featured Fiction: A Plain Love Song
A Plain Love Song by Kelly Irvin (July 2014)
Book 3 in the “New Hope Amish” series
(Book 1: Love Still Stands; Book 2: Love Redeemed)
About the Book:
Kelly Irvin, author of the Bliss Creek Amish series, brings the story of the New Hope Amish to a dramatic conclusion in A Plain Love Song.
Adah Knepp wants nothing more than to make music. It’s all she’s ever desired—to sing and play the guitar and write her own songs. That’s a dream that will never come true in the confines of her strict Amish community. But then she meets Jackson Hart, and all of a sudden she finds the chance for a different kind of life. A real stage, a real guitar, and a real opportunity to sing her songs to a real audience!
But pursuing her dreams means turning her back on her family and community—and saying goodbye to Matthew, the gentle Amish farmer she can’t get out of her mind. Is it worth giving up the only home she’s ever known to pursue her dreams?
Favorite Quote:
He leaned back and tugged a pick from his jeans pocket, then picked up the guitar and began to pluck one note at a time, slowly and carefully. Each note sounded hopeful. Hopeful that another might follow.
What I Enjoyed:
- The inclusion of original song lyrics.
- The authenticity of the characters’ struggles and emotions.
- The characters’ real flaws. (Neither “hero” is perfect, which makes the love triangle that much more intriguing! In fact, after you’ve read the book, you might be interested in taking a peek at the alternate ending Kelly wrote for the story.)
- The references to country music. (It’s fun to come across names you recognize!)
- The romantic tension. (See point #3.)
- The wisdom from secondary characters. (I’m fond of Matthew’s groossdaadi and Jackson’s aunt Charlene.)
Question for You:
How important is music in your life? Would you have a hard time giving up instruments and iPods?
Giveaway!
Leave a comment with your email address for a chance to win a paperback copy of this book!
Fine print: Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only, and participants must be 18 years old or older to enter. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed on Tuesday, August 19th. This giveaway is in no way sponsored by or affiliated with Facebook, WordPress, or Twitter.
P.S. Be sure to mark your calendars for next Thursday (August 21), because Kelly Irvin is going to be our guest here on the blog!
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d_stevens310 (at) live.com
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:23 pm
Ah, yes – gotta love the “oldies”! And having music playing in the car can make everything from errands to road trips more fun.
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Music is very important to me. Can’t imagine life without it. Love 4-part Gospel harmony. Thanks for the opportunity to win…Linda
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:24 pm
There’s something very emotionally stirring about music, isn’t there? Thank you for sharing!
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I love my music! It helps me to relax and also I exercise to music to stay fit! so would be hard for me to give it up!
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Isn’t it neat how music can both energize and relax? It would be very hard, indeed, to give up instrumental music in all its genres.
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my email is sheliarha64@yahoo.com
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I’m looking forward to “catching up” on the Amish & Mennonite related stories. It’s been an unusual summer with family commitments taking over my reading time. Mid August brings “back to school” for the grandkids so…I should be able to catch an hour or so a day again.
I like this web-site. It’s straight forward and easy to move through. Some have so many tabs and under each so many other places to be directed – sometimes I just get lost.
I like that you said althought you want to change a little that it will still be simple/plain.
Thanks for all the suggestions for books in the August 12th post.
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:27 pm
That’s wonderful to hear, Ellen, that you find the Amish Reader site easy to navigate – and that you’ll have more time for reading again soon! Thank you for your kind feedback. I’m happy to hear you found the Monthly Gathering post helpful. Happy reading!
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I love music as a form of praise and worship to the Lord. I love listening to musical instruments. I think they enhance worship and God has given people musical talents to praise Him with. I dont have an ipod, so I wouldnt miss that. But I do enjoy listening to You Tube worship songs.
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Wonderful thoughts, Maryann – thank you for sharing!
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Love your books. Great story lines
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Glad to hear it, Tiffini!
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I love Kelly Irvin’s books and look forward to reading A Plain Love Song. I must admit that I would have a hard time giving up music.
dcasti2705@sbcglobal.net
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:30 pm
A Plain Love Song was my first experience with Kelly Irvin’s writing, but if her other work is anything like this, I imagine you won’t be disappointed! Thank you for commenting.
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I do love the music I’ve down loaded to my kindle fire but I go through times when I listen almost constantly and times when days go by and I don’t listen to music at all. If I had to I believe I could give up listening to music because you can always hum a tune that’s on your mind or read a good book like A Plain Love Song. By Kelly Irvin. This book sounds very interesting and I would love to read it. I’ve never read any of her stories before and look forward to reading this featured fiction book.
Blessings
Shirley
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
Those are great thoughts, Shirley. It’s comforting to know that music – actual tunes as well as lyrical writing – can exist beyond iPods and other devices, isn’t it? Sounds like you’d really enjoy this particular story!
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I wouldn’t like giving up my music I .love my oldies 50-70’s
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:34 pm
There’s something special and fun about the oldies, isn’t there? Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
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I listen to all types of music. I listen in the car, at work, and at home. I also read quite a bit so I would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance.
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:35 pm
Music and books – you’ve got to love them both! Thank you for commenting, Marsha.
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Music is very important in my life. I especially like the music of John Berry and his songs & voice have been a comfort to me during some difficult times in my life. I also enjoy putting on music when I want to sit back, relax and read a book. I would love to win this book by Kelly Irvin. She is a wonderful author.
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:36 pm
Music can really touch the heart and set the mood. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic!
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When I was younger I listened to music constantly, even fell asleep listening to my walkman! Now I find I enjoy quiet as 2 kids can get quite noisy. However hearing a special song can take me back to some wonderful memories
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:39 pm
Yes – sometimes quiet can be its own music, can’t it? And sometimes music can play a bigger or smaller role depending on the seasons of our lives. But I, too, love how deeply it can be intertwined with our memories. Thank you for the great thoughts!
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Well, I certainly like to hear music at times, and I can barely play the piano, so I could probably give it up if I had to, although I’m glad I don’t have to. (if that makes sense) Christian music makes my soul sing because I can’t sing well.
susanlulu@yahoo.com
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:41 pm
That’s a lovely sentiment, Susan, about Christian music making your soul sing. And yes, that makes sense! If you had to give up music, you could, but it’s nice that you don’t have to. I’m sure many would agree.
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I love Amish and any other Christian romance.
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:42 pm
So do we, Norma! Sounds like you’ve come to the right place.
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I find music relaxing but I don’t have an iPod or play an instrument. I live in the country and enjoy the sound of nature just as much.
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:44 pm
It’s wonderful that nature has its own music, isn’t it? Sounds like you might appreciate this quieter aspect of the Amish culture. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
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Music has been poured into me since I was born. It is now the same with my daughter, starting in the Operating Room where she was delivered and my husband sang “Jesus Loves Me.” I cannot imagine my life without music.
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:45 pm
That’s lovely, Susan! It sounds like music has been a very big blessing in your life.
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I sing songs with my granddaughter, hum and whistle a lot while working, but I rarely actively listen to music.
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Music can play a role in our lives in a variety of ways, can’t it? That’s wonderful that it’s a connection point between you and your granddaughter.
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Reading love redeemed would love to win the next book in this series.
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Hope you’re enjoying it, Bev!
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I love singing my church songs.. I listen to country in the car. But I’m getting tired of all same songs so I could easily give up my iPod and instrument if needed to. I know all of my church songs by heart and sing them without an iPod or instrument. I enjoy listening to natural and don’t always need the music on.
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 3:10 pm
It’s nice to know songs by heart, so you can carry them with you even when you don’t have a device or instrument along. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
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I do love listening to music. I wouldn’t have a problem giving up instruments or an I-Pod.
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 18th, 2014 at 3:14 pm
Sounds like this aspect of the Amish lifestyle wouldn’t overly bother you, then! Thank you for the comment.
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I love music — much contemporary Christian, some southern gospel, hymns are my favorites. Giving up my piano would be tough, and I enjoy hearing others play instruments as well.
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 19th, 2014 at 12:38 pm
Those are all such encouraging and enjoyable things. Thank you for sharing which aspects of music you love!
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Amish fiction is my absolute favorite! Keeps me grounded reading about their simple, peaceful life.
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Music is a huge part of my life. Contemporary Christian and Southern Gospel. I don’t believe I could ever give it up.
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Amber Stokes Reply:
August 19th, 2014 at 12:39 pm
Love your first comment.
You’ve come to the right place!
And yes, music can touch our lives so profoundly, can’t it?
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Congratulations, Maryann! You’re our randomly selected winner.
Be sure to check your inbox!
Thank you all for your interest in this giveaway, and for joining the discussion. Another giveaway to come next month!
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