I’ve just moved to Appleseed Creek, Ohio a few days ago, and I already have a roommate but not because I wanted one. I’m not sure how it happened. I was driving my Siamese cat Gigabyte and me down a country road to a rural community when we came across teenaged Becky Troyer. Two unseemly-looking thugs were harassing her. I offered her a ride as an escape from them, and the next thing I know she told me she was moving in…and that she ran away from her Amish family.
How could I turn her away when I was so much like her when I was a teen, estranged from what little family I had and seeking a new home when the Greens took me in? I had my reasons to leave my family, and I’m sure Becky had hers. She was alone and needed help. I gave it to her. However, the question nagging me at the back of my head was, “Why did Becky leave the Amish community?” I planned to ask her when the time was right.
As I dressed for the day, I decided to bring up the topic over breakfast. I stepped into the kitchen to find enough food on the kitchen table to feed a college football team. Becky piled pancakes, waffles, bacon, eggs, ham, and sausage on heaping serving trays. She cooked like she had her large Amish family to feed. I’d tried to tell her there were only two of us—three if you count Gigabyte—and we would never possibly eat everything she made. It was no use; she just kept baking, broiling, and frying. My cat had no problem with Becky’s culinary ambitions and transferred his feline loyalties from me to Becky the moment she picked up a spatula. How can my dry cat foot that smells like feet compete with fresh country ham?
While aware of Becky flying around the kitchen, double checking that each dish was perfect, I ate what I could of the meal. She was a beautiful and sweet girl. Not a rule breaker. I doubted she’d even jaywalked across the town’s square.
She finally took the seat across from me at the table. “I’m going to try some new places to look for work today.”
“Good. Keep trying. Someone will give you a job.”
A black cloud crossed her face. “The Amish won’t. They don’t want anything to do with me.”
My question about her leaving the Amish was on the tip of my tongue, when she said, “My brother Timothy will be over tonight to faucet on the back of the house. I hope you don’t mind.”
I swallowed, remembering how I made a fool of myself in front of her handsome brother the night we met. “Sure. That’s fine. It’s nice of him to help out.”
She studied my face. “You’re all red. Is something wrong?”
“Nope. All good.” I stood, needing to compose myself. Now was not the time to ask Becky my questions. “I’ll see you tonight after I get home from work.”
“Great! I will have a big surprise for you when you get home.”
I left without asking what that surprise was. In hindsight, I should have, I know that I should have…
You can read more about Chloe in A PLAIN DEATH, the first book in the new “Appleseed Creek” mystery series.
** Thanks to the Amanda, I have one (1) copy of A PLAIN DEATH to give away. Contest open to residents of the US only. Contest ends July 5. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **
Meet the author
Amanda Flower is an Agatha Award-nominated mystery author. She writes cozy and Amish mysteries for B&H Publishing as herself and for New American Library as Isabella Alan. You can also follow Amanda on Facebook and Twitter.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
i love new cozy mystery series!!!! thanx for the giveaway!!!!
cyn209 at juno dot com
I know I want to read this book! Thanks for the chance to get a copy. majik47(at)hotmail(dot)com
This sounds like a great story. I’m looking forward to it.
mary-fairchild@sbcglobal.net
I just saw this book the other day for the first time and it really sounds good.
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
This sounds intriguing!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Appleseed Creek – what a great name! Sounds like a great start to a new series. kuzlin(at)aol(dot)com.
I can’t wait to try this series. Thank you for the chance to win.
griperang at embarqmail dot com
You get the nicest books to try out. Becky sounds so much like some of the girls I’ve heard about in the Chassidish Communities in Brooklyn. Many of them become dissatisfied and look for a way out also.
I’d love to add this book to my burgeoning home library.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
I’ve been looking forward to this new series. It’s so great to hear from a character and get a sneak peek of the book.
lynettek51(at)yahoo(dot)com
Enjoyed the post, now I’d like the chance to have a look at Amanda’s new book. Please enter my name in the draw for the chance to win it. Thanks.
carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
I would LOVE to win this book!!! Thanks for the opportunity!!! crosspatchpig at bellsouth dot net
I would love to win this book as well 🙂 It’s been on my Wish List since I first heard about it!!!
melissa0908@hotmail.com
I can’t wait to read this one too!
Love the cat’s name–Gigabyte. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I would to try this series!!! Thanks for sharing and hoping I win!
Alicia
afarage(at)earthlink(dot)net
Now I want to read the rest of the story. I love Amish fiction amd mystery and already love this book!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I am exited to read this one!
Campbellamyd at gmail dot com
An Amish mystery, loved the first Amish mystery I read and this one sounds good too.
OOPS! forgot my email
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I would love to win Amanda Flower’s new book…’A Plain Death’…I have shared on facebook and twitter…babyruthmac16ATyahoo.com
I would love to win this book – have never read any of Amanda’s books!!!!!
dibupp@yahoo.com
Will share on FB!!!!!!
Thank you!
This book sounds so good! I have been wanting to read this book. Winning it would be a delight!
Blessings!
sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to win and read this book.Thank so much for the chance.
It sounds good. I live in Ohio. When we used to visit my great-aunt when I was a kid we would see Amish buggies down in Ashland and Mansfield and I think we even saw the Amish in the grocery store.
I used to have a Siamese cat. Gigabyte is an interesting name. I wonder if he likes to lay on the computer keyboard?
spookycat72(at)gmail(dot)com
This book sounds really good – I have never read much about the Amish – so I think It would be very interesting.
This is a very tempting story for me! I would love to win a copy!
aregeetee5162 at yahoo dot com
I am a big fan of Amish Fiction books~~I have read a few good Amish mysteries, so I am certain this novel will be just as good. I hope I win;-)
Kristin J
I just realized taht I did not leave any contact info to the above submission~~keithkrisjagerataoldotcom
very anxious to read this book. I got really hungry for more Amish themed books after reading Hearse and Buggy.
I have several favorite Amish story authors, looking forward to your insights!
Sounds like a great series. I’m looking forward to reading it.
I saw this book the other day and put it on my wish list. Looking forward to reading it.
Thank you for sharing. The book sounds
Great!! thanks for the opportunity to win.
Lcenlow(@)sit-co(dot)net
Can’t wait to read her new series!!!
Would love to win and read this book. Thank you for the chance to win.
Looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
scouts579(at)aol(dot)com
contest is closed.