Kansas native Kelly Irvin is an author who writes in the Amish and suspense genres, and been writing nonfiction professionally for more than thirty years, including ten years as a newspaper reporter. She retired in 2016 after working 22 years in public relations for the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department. She is a member of ACFW and Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers. In her spare time, she blogs, reads fiction, and loves her family.
In this interview, Kelly discusses her latest book, Matters of the Heart.
FF: What inspired you to write this book?
I wanted to explore the ways Amish families cope with having children with rare, chronic, degenerative diseases, how it tests their faith and what lessons we can learn from them.
FF: How do you choose your main characters?
I don’t actually choose them so much as they develop out of the story I want to tell. In this series I started with wanting to explore the lives of Amish auctioneers and how being in the limelight, using a microphone, in front of big crowds, is contrary to the basic tenet of the Amish faith–which is not to draw attention to self. In Matters of the Heart, I wanted to draw together two completely different people and find a way to let them come to love each other despite their differences. Declan is a jokester who loves life on the road auctioneering in front of crowds. Bethel is a caregiver for siblings with a hereditary, degenerative disease. She doesn’t have time for silliness. And yet, the sparks fly when they’re together.
FF: What kind of research did you do for this story, and what did that look like?
I did a ton of on-line research about the founder’s effect caused by Amish communities only marrying without their faith. This has resulted in genetic mutations and the development of very rare diseases. I used YouTube videos to learn how to write auctioneering cadence and spent a lot of time amusing myself with silly jokes.
FF: If there is one thing you want readers to take away from this novel, what would that be?
That God is present, and He is good in all circumstances–even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Matters of the Heart
Amish Calling Series #2
Kelly Irvin
Zondervan
Genres: Amish Romance
Release Date: July 16, 2024
ISBN-10: 0840709412
ISBN-13: 978-0840709417
Book Summary:
Declan Miller has always had feelings for Bethel King. Back when they were in school, she was the smartest girl in the class and, in his opinion, by far the prettiest. Now the two of them are in their twenties and while the attraction is still there, Declan is as hesitant as ever to let Bethel know how he feels. His corny jokes and wisecracks cover a heart that’s afraid of rejection.
Bethel can’t deny Declan is nice, funny, hardworking, and pleasing to the eye–a perfect match if you asked any Plain girl in the area. But marrying Bethel would also mean marrying into her family. Two of her younger brothers have a rare form of muscular dystrophy, and her sister Claire is now showing signs of having it as well. Fiercely loyal and nurturing, Bethel has promised herself her siblings will always come first. With a good chance that she carries the gene and could pass it on to her children, Bethel has tried to convince herself marriage and family just aren’t in the cards for her.
When a devastating diagnosis of his own turns Declan’s world upside down, he looks to Bethel for understanding, compassion, and a realistic outlook. As they share their dreams and fears and grow together in faith, a bond begins to develop between them. Perhaps their combination of optimistic extrovert and thoughtful introvert really isn’t such a bad thing–perhaps it’s actually a part of God’s beautiful design.
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