About the Book

Book: A Stolen Kiss (The Heart of the Amish Book 7)

Author: Mindy Steele

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Release date: December, 2024

Who Kissed Who First?

Full of faith, hope, and romance, the series takes you into the Heart of Amish Country.

LeEtta Miller has never done anything spontaneous before, but when a girl is the last one at everything, sometimes she has to take the reins into her own hands. What harm could come from kissing a stranger she’ll never see again?

Benuel Ropp isn’t sure he can ever forgive his father for giving away his inheritance. Taking work far from home, Ben hopes to earn enough to build his future, but nowhere in his plans did he predict being kissed by a beautiful stranger – or having to marry her. To save both their reputations he has little choice but to accept the elder’s demands. Well. . .if LeEtta thought he’d flinch, letting her boldness ruin the future he had all mapped out, she was mistaken. He has a dream to work for, and if he has to make sacrifices to reach them, so will she.

Who kissed who first? He couldn’t even remember anymore.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mindy Steele is the award-winning author and bestselling author of over a dozen novels and novellas in Christian fiction. Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele has been writing since she could hold a crayon on the wall and lives in northeastern Kentucky—where many of her stories are set.

More from Mindy

The Story Behind the Story with Mindy Steele

A Stolen Kiss

I’m always seeking the not-so-ordinary plot for one of my stories. So, when our youngest son and his intended traded a look one evening, something struck a cord in my always moving imagination. Mind you, Blake told me when he was ten, riding a new bus to a new school, that he met the girl that he was going to marry. So cute, yet, they married in May, eleven years later. A Stolen Kiss is not love at first sight. It’s not even love over-the-years, but that one moment birthed a new character. LeEtta Miller. Not all love stories are as beautiful as our son’s, but all love stories are worth telling.

I’m an author of romance, love inspired stories weaving through rural landscapes where characters unveil themselves into realistic people most of us are glad to know. Romantic fiction gives readers what no other genre seems to offer. It’s an escape, a hope. Hope across illness, loss, despair, and uncertainty. Its community, knowledge, a gathering of friends, unity, while representing comfort.

We all want to add more love to our lives. After all, it is the greatest gift God has given us. Gentle or fast moving, we are sucked in to reach those glorious chapters of a first kiss and a promising tomorrow.

But, what if the kiss came sooner? What if love isn’t fast moving, but something earned and quietly obtained through slow familiarity.

LeEtta Miller is quite the rule follower and people pleaser. I’ve shaken my head at her quite often as I got to know her. LeEtta also feels as if life is passing her by. How many times have we’ve been in those pair of shoes? In one bold moment, she’ll through caution to the wind, and act, impulsively. Thus we get introduced to Benuel Ropp, who’s visiting his grandparents, hoping to earn enough money to buy his own land, back in Ohio. As events escalate, from a chance meeting to an binding union, these two young characters are thrown into new roles neither of them intended. I’ve never laughed more writing LeEtta and Ben’s story, and hope it brings joy, hope, and a wiliness to accept that the mistakes we make in life, are only rocky paths leading us to where we belong.

May you never stop making mistakes and following love’s calling,

Mindy

Interview with Mindy

What is your real-life work schedule like when writing?

It’s a little chaotic to be honest. No matter how I plan and try to stick to a routine, it’s often broken by everyday life especially in the summer months. I wake between 3 and 4 each morning. Once Ms. Ellie, my silver Labrador has gone out and coffee is finished brewing, I’m behind my writing desk most of the day until time to ready supper. Sundays are reserved for the Lord and Monday’s isMonday Maintenance day, which is when I work on future proposals, social media post, email catch-up, and promotional posts.  

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I wrote my first short story about our preacher who was very short and very loud when I was in elementary school. I grew up writing songs, poems, and plays, which friends and I would perform. I wrote my first full length novel in the summer of 2017. I was 43. I had no thought that anyone would want to actually read it and held onto it while writing two more. Then I shared that first story with two reader friends a couple years later. With their mighty encouragements I went for it and the rest is history. I’ve always known I’d write stories, but God knew it was best I wait until my family was grown. I was 46 when my first book published in May of 2021.

Have you experienced writer’s block, and how do you handle it?

I think all writers experience writer’s block at some point, but I’ve found reading to be the best cure for getting back on track. That…and walking. It’s amazing what fresh air and a great story can do to help you out of the drudge.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

That readers would read them!!! I never expected my stories to be so well received. I’m a simple, everyday woman, who enjoys weaving life lessons with realistic characters. I’m still in awe by how many readers reach out to tell me one of my stories or a particular character resonated with them in a positive way. I’ve also learned there is so much yet to learn. I’m a storyteller first, so navigating a very unpredictable publishing market is a learning curve.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Readers can follow my author site at MindySteele.com. While there, you can find tons of great recipes, learn more about upcoming books, and if you sign up for my newsletter, even receive a free story. I’m also on social media, and readers can join Mindy Steele’s Over The Fence Friends where they will be in good company.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I have a few projects churning, but most upcoming is a new story in Barbour Publishing’s, Heart of the Amish series, called Hunting for a Husband. It’s a little quirky, a little heartfelt, and a whole lot of love inspired moments readers will enjoy. I’m working on the recipes to include in the book now, and I’m excited to revisit the Wickey sisters.

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, January 9

Texas Book-aholic, January 10

Simple Harvest Reads, January 11 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Stories By Gina, January 12 (Author Interview)

Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 13

The Avid Reader, January 14

Life on Chickadee Lane, January 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 15

Artistic Nobody, January 16 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 18

Vicky Sluiter, January 19 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, January 20

Holly’s Book Corner, January 21

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 22 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mindy is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54127