Please welcome Amanda Flower to the blog. Amanda writes the Appleseed Creek Mystery series. The last book in the series, A Plain Malice, was released September 16th. Amanda also writes the Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series under the name Isabella Alan.
Kathy: Many people, myself included, are interested in learning about the Amish. In some ways the Amish are very separate from the English (non-Amish), but tourism brings the two cultures together. Some say tourism is necessary for the Amish to thrive, others say it's a necessary evil, while others say it takes away from the religion. What are your thoughts on the subject?
AF: I think most Amish are happy to have the tourists. Tourism is main source of their income. Without it, some Amish communities may not survive because it's become harder and harder for them just to farm. Many Amish work other jobs now even in factories.
Kathy: A Plain Malice is the fourth Appleseed Creek mystery and the last in the series. Will you share why you decided to end the series?
AF: The publisher of the series canceled their fiction line, so the series ended abruptly after book three, A Plain Disappearance. I decided to write A Plain Malice, so that my readers could have a more satisfying ending to the series. I don't have any plans to write another book in the series, but you never know... ;)
Kathy: You are donating all of your royalties from A Plain Malice purchased before this Thanksgiving to a local foodbank. What made you decide to donate and why this particular charity?
AF: Since I wrote A Plain Malice for my readers, I wanted to do something special with my earnings. It's never been about the money for this novel. A local food pantry called the Landing was the best choice for me. The pantry is run by my brother and sister-in-law in the basement of their church, Akron Christian Reformed Church. With only $200 they feed sixty families with food from the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. You can read this article and watch a video about the Landing here: http://akronist.com/akron-couple-host-food-pantry-personalized-touch/
Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?
AF: The murder takes place on a bus touring Amish Country. I once went on a tour like that through Israel. It was a completely different experience than Amish Country of course, but I always that it would be funny to have a cozy mystery set on a bus tour. It would sort of be a locked room mystery on wheels.
Kathy: Is it possible that any of these characters will cross over and appear in any of your other books?
AF: Maybe... No plans right now, but I would love to write something from Becky Troyer's perspective some day.
Kathy: When it comes to writing I understand there are 2 general camps-plotters, who diligently plot their stories, and pansters, who fly by the seat of their pants. Are you a plotter, a panster, or do you fall somewhere in between?
AF: Panster 100%. I just write. It's an ugly disorganized process, but I can't work any other way. I've tried.
Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?
AF: I have a new children's mystery out called Andi Under Pressure. It's the sequel to Agatha Award-nominated Andi Unexpected. It was just released. In December, the third Amish Quilt Shop Mystery, Murder, Served Simply, which I write as Isabella Alan, will release. And in May 2015, I am starting a new living history museum mystery series with The Final Reveille. It's about a murder at a Civil War reenactment. Lots of fun stuff coming out soon!
Kathy: A new interview section-this or that. Pick one of the 2 choices given.
Kathy: Library or Bookstore-
AF: library
Kathy: Expositional or Continuing Story-
AF: continuing story
Kathy: Editing or Marketing-
AF: editing
Kathy: TV or Film-
AF: TV
Kathy: Chocolate or Vanilla-
AF: chocolate
Kathy: Mountains or Beach-
AF: beach
Kathy: Tea or Coffee-
AF: tea
Kathy: Cats or Dogs-
AF: cats
Kathy: Summer or Winter-
AF: summer
Kathy: Normal or Paranormal-
AF: normal
Kathy: Vampire or Werewolf-
AF: vampire
Follow Amanda’s alter
ego Isabella on Facebook
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