For the first title in her Amish Beginnings series, author Kelly Long goes back in time for a revealing look at the Amish culture when they weren’t the “buggies, bonnets or quilt people.”
Whenever she’s writing, author Kelly Long is naturally drawn to dreaming up passionate, problematic characters, and the same definitely holds true for her latest novel, Arms of Love (Thomas Nelson), the first title from her new Amish Beginnings series.
“I’ve always liked complex people who are dealing with real temptations and struggling spiritually,” Kelly reveals. “I think this characterizes most of us at one time or another. I like to bring about story resolutions which glorify God’s power.”
With her new novel, Long tackles what she feels is a missing piece of Amish culture in the outside world’s perception of them—their past. “The persecution they suffered in the Old Country was incredible, but it formed the core of their strength,” Kelly shares. “I hope that people will take away the concept that God can truly be revolutionary through His love in our lives, if we allow Him to work.”
For devout readers of Kelly’s previous novels, Arms of Love also provides a little insight into Jacob Wyse from Lilly’s Wedding Quilt by introducing them to another member of the family tree—Adam, a great-grandfather several generations removed. “Adam is most certainly the tall, dark and handsome type, but he’s got a lot of layers. He’s faced physical and mental abuse all of his life; he’s badly in love but cannot do anything about it because of a deathbed promise; he suffers from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder); and he’s torn between keeping to the Amish ways or taking up arms in the Revolution,” Kelly shares. “But through all of this, he’s compassionate, empathetic and resourceful—definitely a guy I’d like to spend some time with.”