Publisher chooses Plain Dealing novelist for Amish series
Winnie Griggs claims to have an advanced degree in the art of procrastination.
That’s hard to believe.
The author of more than 30 published works of historical and contemporary romance, she has entered the world of Amish fiction for Grand Central Publishing, receives awards for her novels and recently hit the Publishers Weekly Bestseller List for Religious Fiction.
Her switch from historical romance to contemporary Amish fiction came when her former publisher, Love Inspired with Harlequin, shut down its historical line. She was figuring out her next move when an editor told her agent they were looking for someone to write Amish romance and thought Griggs had the right voice for it.
Her first Amish series centers around three sisters—a quilter, baker and homemaker. The first novel, “Her Amish Wedding Quilt,” released in late 2020. “Her Amish Springtime Miracle,” book two, released last month. “Her Amish Patchwork Family,” book three, has been turned in and will release in 2023. The books are available online and from stores such as Walmart.
Griggs thinks Amish fiction remains popular because of “the lure of the simpler lifestyle of the Amish and the emphasis they put on family and faith-focused values that readers find so attractive. I think there’s a longing in each of us, to one degree or another, for this kinder, gentler lifestyle.”
About “Her Amish Springtime Miracle”
When Hannah Eicher discovers orphaned baby Grace in her barn, the adorable infant seems like the answer to her prayers. The young Amish baker has wanted a family of her own and after she’s fostered Grace for nearly a year, her adoption application is almost certain to be approved. But an unexpected visitor, paramedic Mike Colder, returns to his childhood hometown to locate and adopt his late sister’s baby, complicating the situation.
About “Her Amish Wedding Quilt”
Spirited, forthright, impulsive—everyone told Greta Eicher she’d have to change her ways if she ever hoped to marry. Then the man she thought she would wed chooses another woman. Her dreams dashed, she pours her energy into crafting quilts at her shop and helping widower Noah Stoll care for his young children, offering to play matchmaker for Noah to find a wife. But none of the women she suggests seem quite right...
Historical romance e-book coming in August
Griggs has also written “Talulla,” a sweet historical western romance, releasing Aug. 1 as an e-book on Amazon and available for pre-order. The premise: Ten-year-old Talulla watched in horror as her beloved older brother fell through the ice while trying to save her. Thanks to the quick actions of Max, her brother’s closest friend, she survived. Her brother didn’t. When she overhears Max tell her father that she’s to blame, Talulla feels betrayed by the two people she thought she could trust and begs to be sent to a boarding school halfway across the country. In 12 years, she’s never looked back. Until now. Widowed father Max is traveling home with his 7-year-old daughter when sickness overtakes the little girl. The conductor finds a passenger willing to share her Pullman section —Talulla—whose last words to Max were “I hate you.”
More about the author
Griggs, retired from SWEPCO, is a veteran writing teacher, a leader in North Louisiana writing circles and believes stories expand our world. “They allow us to experience other perspectives, cultures, environments and time periods without ever leaving our homes,” she said. She and her husband live in Plain Dealing, and she reads widely – romance, women’s fiction, mystery, fantasy and sci-fi – and loves fairy tales from around the world, fables and myths. “I’m currently reading a fairy tale retelling series called ‘The Andari Chronicles’ by Kenley Davidson and am thoroughly enjoying it.”
For more info, see: www.winniegriggs.com or email her at winnie@winniegriggs.com/.
Liz Talley book signing scheduled
Author Liz Talley will have a book signing from 3 to 6 p.m. June 30 at The Paper Tulip, 5823 Youree Drive in Shreveport, for her latest novel, “Deconstructed,” which released in February. Set in Shreveport, with a lively peek into local society, the book is about a clueless antique store owner who overhears talk about her husband’s infidelity and pairs up with a feisty friend to get to the truth. Along the way, they find out her husband is not only stepping out with the local tennis coach but may be into something dangerous.
Half of the proceeds from book sales at the event will go to The Humane Society of Northwest Louisiana.
Summer reading: Add these Southern authors to your summer reading list
Columnist Judy Christie is the author of 18 novels and nonfiction books. With NYT bestselling author Lisa Wingate, she co-authored “Before and After: The Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children’s Home Society,” the nonfiction sequel to Wingate’s novel “Before We Were Yours.” For more about Christie, see www.judychristie.com or follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JudyChristieAuthor.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Publisher chooses Plain Dealing novelist Winnie Griggs for Amish series
