Rebecca Kertz was introduced to the Amish world when her husband took a job with an Amish construction crew. She took joy in watching the Amish job foreman’s children at play and in swapping recipes with his wife. Her Amish knowledge comes into play with her latest romance, His Suitable Amish Wife (Love Inspired), the fifth book in her Women of Lancaster County series. In this interview, Rebecca explains the origins of the story, tells us more about how she came to know and write about the Amish, and reveals why the next book in the series will come as a surprise…
Rebecca, what inspired the story in your novel His Suitable Amish Wife?
In my novel Her Amish Christmas Sweetheart, the heroine Meg Stoltzfus had a brief relationship with Reuben Miller. She was in love with the hero Peter Zook. Reuben only wanted a loving woman to marry. I always felt bad for poor Reuben, so I decided that he needed a story of his own. Ellie Stoltzfus, Meg’s sister, seemed the perfect match for him.
Tell us about your series Women of Lancaster County. What ties these books together?
The books in the Woman of Lancaster County series are about the Stoltzfus sisters. A Secret Amish Love is about Nell, the oldest sister. Her Amish Christmas Sweetheart is about Meg Stoltzfus, the middle sister.
Then Leah Stoltzfus, the second oldest, found the love of her life in Her Forgiving Amish Heart. Charlie Stoltzfus, the baby of the sisters, had her story in Her Amish Christmas Gift.
His Suitable Amish Wife is for Ellie, who in the line of sisters’ ages is between Charlie and Meg.
There is one more story in this series but that’s a surprise, as there are only five Stoltzfus sisters. However, there is a Stoltzfus connection.
What research or experience do you bring to write about the Amish in a fair way?
My books are set in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and I enjoy taking trips to do research and get the feel of the Amish community there. My husband and I are originally from northern New Jersey, but we moved to Delaware when we were young newlyweds. Kent County, Delaware, where we live, has an Amish community.
After our son was born, my husband took a job with a company that built hog houses and pole barns, and he worked with an Amish crew. My husband drove the Amish crew to the job site and worked alongside them. We got to know some of these families during that time. The foreman was Amish.
We only had one car at the time, so I would drop my husband off at the foreman’s house and wait for him to return so we could drive home together. I loved watching the Amish children playing in their yard while I waited with my son. The one thing my son, who was about two years old at the time, remembered about the foreman’s children is that he couldn’t understand them as they spoke mostly high German.
What draws you to writing about the Amish?
I think most people are fascinated about the Amish. It may appear that they have a simple life, but they work hard. They are human like the rest of us, but I love their sense of community and the way they’ve made their faith their life.
Why do you think readers are so drawn to stories about the Amish?
Readers are drawn to stories about the Amish because there is a mystique about them. They live differently than the rest of us, and readers find that enthralling. I enjoy driving through the countryside here in Delaware or in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where I can see them going about their daily lives. I’m sure others, include our readers, feel the same way.
It’s important to respect their privacy even though we may be curious about them. In general, the Amish don’t like their photos taken. I always respect that. I may take a photo of the back of a buggy. I certainly wouldn’t intrude and go against their beliefs by taking a photograph of them.
Visit Rebecca Kertz’s author page:
https://www.familyfiction.com/authors/rebecca-kertz
His Suitable Amish Wife
Women of Lancaster County #5
Rebecca Kertz
Love Inspired