Bonnet Strings: A Three-Book Giveaway
I am offering a giveaway of three copies of Bonnet Strings: An Amish Woman’s Ties to Two Worlds. Simply leave a comment, and I will add your name to the drawing. I will draw for the winners on Saturday, January 30.
This giveaway is inspired by several things, most recently a review written by someone calling himself easyEZ. I was moved by the level of understanding coming from someone who reveals that he has also emerged from the Amish culture. I hope he doesn’t mind me quoting him here. Because I don’t know who he is, I cannot ask him for permission. Given he has published the review, I am hoping he won’t mind me inserting an excerpt.
There are very few valid representations of Amish life, not to mention noncompliant Amish life. In Bonnet Strings, Saloma set what hopefully will become a standard for works involving Amish issues. My only disappointment is that the book ended. She delivered spectacularly, but now I want more! Not necessarily about her and David. That would be tough act to follow, but the field of Amish literature is mired in horrendous poverty! It needs you Saloma! How about it?
Thank you, whoever you are, for this thoughtful review. I hope you will introduce yourself. In the meantime, I would say that we need more than one authentic Amish voice. Will we get to read your story? Because I dare say you have one to tell!
For two years I’ve been scratching my head, trying to figure out why in the world Bonnet Strings has not become a more popular book. It has all the elements of a romance set among the Amish, but it is far more authentic than the Amish romance novels out there. In addition, I appeared in “The Amish: Shunned” that aired on American Experience at the same time Bonnet Strings was being launched. Herald Press and I were expecting that the book would take off.
My first surprise was that there was no mention in the film that I am an author, nor was my last name mentioned. So when I went out in public people often recognized me from the film, but they didn’t know I was an author. There really was no way for them to know.
So the level of book sales that Herald Press and I were anticipating never materialized. And neither did the book reviews accumulate very fast. For a while, more copies of Why I Left the Amish were being sold, and it was garnering more reviews. I finally stopped going to Goodreads because I didn’t want to be disappointed.
But something curious was happening. The reviews of Bonnet Strings were more positive than many of the ones I’ve gotten for Why I Left the Amish. I’ve had trusted friends tell me that my second book was better written. I agree with them. As I’ve mentioned before, this is mostly because of the excellent editing I received from Valerie Weaver Zercher at Herald Press. And I like to think I’ve evolved as a writer, too.
Something else was happening. I had many people writing to me, telling me how Bonnet Strings had touched their lives. People from intercultural relationships. Those who grew up in abusive families. Those who left oppressive religions. Those who have acquired college educations against all odds. Those who related to the feeling of thriving after working through struggles in their lives. The list goes on.
I never felt comfortable asking these people to write reviews on Amazon or Goodreads. I wanted to respond to their stories, without pressure for them to put their feelings out for public consumption. And I also felt it was too bold and too self-centered.
So when the review by easyEZ popped up out of nowhere the other night, it was affirming what I have been feeling — that there is a wave of new interest in Bonnet Strings. I mentioned earlier the reviews that appeared in Feminist Collections and by Seattle Book Mama. I began giving away books as gifts. I offered a free copy of Bonnet Strings with every book sale directly from me, so sales picked up around Christmas. Incidentally, today I am extending that offer until March 31.
After reading the review on Amazon, I went to Goodreads and was pleasantly surprised to find recent reviews of both my books. I am grateful to all the readers who have taken the time and shared their impressions.
I want to move everything out of the path of this new wave of interest. You can help by signing up for this giveaway and inviting your friends to do the same. If you already have a copy of my book, feel free to sign up anyway and if you win, give it to a friend as a gift. Thank you for helping to keep the interest flowing.
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[…] Bonnet Strings: A Three-Book Giveaway […]
Saloma, I have enjoyed reading your books so much, but have not read these! Thank you for the opportunity to win.
You’re welcome, Karen. I will add your name to the drawing.
I am looking forward to reading your books. I have read a lot of Amish novels….but I think that yours might be even more interesting, because of your background. My relatives, MANY generations back were AM and I would love to learn more about them!
Thanks for the opportunity to win, and BLESSINGS to you, Saloma, as you pursue your dreams!
Thank you, C.J., for your good wishes. I hope you get a chance to learn more about your heritage. I’ll add your name to the list.
Love your books,thanks for a chance to win
Hello Martha. I will add your name to the hat.
I’m always looking for a new author! Thank you for the opportunity to win a book!
You’re welcome. I’ll add your name.
Do love your books–if I win I’ll place them in my local library!
Carol, that is a great idea. Thank you! Your name will be included.
Enjoy your writing. Please enter me in the giveaway.
I will, thank you Karen.
I would be proud to reread and regift!
Excellent. I’ll add your name.
Wonderful giveaway. I would be thrilled to be the lucky winner. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
You’re welcome, Mary Ellen. Consider your name entered.
I enjoy your blog, and would love to be the winner!
Okay, I will enter your name for a chance to win!
I would love to win these books! Thanks for the opportunity!!
I can’t tell if my last comment went through or not. Apologies if this is a duplicate! I’d love to win these books! Thanks for the opportunity!
Your comments should automatically appear from now on… I approve the ones from first-time commenters to weed out the scammers. I’ll add your name to the drawing.
I haven’t read your books yet and would be delighted to win. Thanks for this offer.
Linda, you’re welcome. I’ll add your name to the drawing.
I would love to win.
Okay, you shall have that chance, Sandi. I’ll add your name.
Saloma, thank you for writing both books. They started me on a journey of learning about contemporary Amish. My prior knowledge had been limited to Virginia Sorensen’s children’s book Plain Girl. Are you familiar with it? I’d love to hear your opinion of it.
Hello Johanna. It’s good to hear from you. I have not read the book you mentioned, but now I want to.
I’ll add your name to the mix.
What a great idea Saloma, count me in!! even though I have your books; both of which I treasure,if I won I’d give it as a gift to a friend.
I’m hoping easyEZ has you thinking about writing another!! I would be first in line to buy it, I love your writing.
Pamela, I think you are my number one fan. Thank you for keeping me going. I’ll add in your name.
Saloma,I cant believe that Johanna mentioned Plain Girl. I just received a used copy (copyright 1955) that I bought on line and am in the middle of reading. It’s a sweet story about a young girl who deals with going to public school(during the time period when it was the law that children go to public school in Lancaster Pa.) and the loss of a brother who leaves the faith. I also would like to hear what you think of it as far as does it accurately portray Amish life within that time period? Hope you get a chance to read it!!
What a coincidence! I will need to read that book.
This is a great giveaway. I am always interested in the lives of the Amish. I have seen videos and like to read books.
It would be great to win.
Thanks and love from Wilma
You’re welcome, Wilma. I’ll add your name to the drawing.
Hello, Saloma. I read your first book Why I left the Amish and enjoyed it. Would love to read Bonnet Strings. I keep track of your events hoping to someday get to meet you but they are either too far or during the evening. I don’t drive at night. I live in the capital region area of New York. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of Bonnet Strings.
Karen, thank you for your interest. I have not been doing any events lately, but I am thinking I will again. I’ve not done anything near Albany, but I’d be open to that.
I’ll add your name to the drawing, and I hope to meet you someday.
Thank you for the opportunity of this giveaway, Saloma! I look forward to reading your books and always enjoy your blog as a beautiful insight not only into the Amish, but your life. Much love and blessings to you.
Thank you, Shana, for your kind words. Love and blessings to you as well. I will add your name to the drawing.
I would love to in the books I’m so excited to read them.
Desiree, I will add your name. Thanks for signing up!
Thanks so much for the book give-away opportunity here — I would be thrilled to win, so please include my name in the hat 🙂
I will. Thank you, Patience.
I look forward to more of your writings.
Thank you, Carol. I will add your name to the drawing.
I pray for you often and that your books would do well. I would be very honored to be entered in the drawing. Blessings.
Michelle, that is very kind of you, thank you.
I will enter your name in the drawing.
I am an avid reading of any Amish book I can get my hands on. At this point I have not read any of you books but I am anxious to start, and I can hardly wait to do so. I actually keep a listing of all the books I read so that I don;t start re-reading before I start a new one. Crazy huh?
Keep up the good work. I always enjoy ready new works.
Kathy, welcome. I hope you get a chance to read my books. I’ll enter your name into the hat.
Will need to look for your books! Thanks for the chance to win one.
Brenda, I hope you get a chance to read my books. I’ll add your name to the drawing.
I live near Amish here in North East Ohio. I would love to Read your Books, this is the First I have heard of them.. Please enter me in the Giveaway.. Thank you.
Jean, you live in my old stomping grounds… I’m from Burton. I hope you get a chance to read my books (your local libraries have them). I will add your name to the list.
Good day, Saloma. I have not read any of your books — yet 😉 I will now that I have found you and your site. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of Bonnet Strings.
Christine, you are quite welcome. So glad you found your way here. I’ll add your name to the drawing.
I have read both “Why I Left the Amish” and
“Bonnet Strings” and greatly enjoyed them!
Thank you, Dana, for your compliment. I am happy to add your name to the drawing.
Saloma, I have read both of your books, ones I received here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa when you and David were here for the book signing. If I would win, I would share with many friends who want to read these ( I don’t want to pass on my signed ones) So, please enter me. Also, just a short thank you for the comment on the fire in Canton. Our Amish friends in NE Iowa knew the family( I think distant relatives) and I gave her your article on this. I am so fortunate to have them as friends and we talk quite openly about their lives. Your books are very special to me. Bless you. Pat
Pat, thank you for your comments. I remember meeting you in Cedar Rapids. I am curious what your Amish friends thought about my comments on the fire in Canton. Are you friends Old Order or of the more conservative Swiss Amish or Swartzentruber Amish. If they are of the mainstream Old Order, they are probably more open about some of these ideas.
I will add your name to the drawing. Many blessings to you as well. And thanks for letting me know how you feel about my books.
I would also love to win your book. Thank you for the opportunity.
You are welcome. I will add your name to the list.
You and Dave have me interested in this since I am a person of several religious beliefs Lutherin, Presbyterian plus Roman Catholic and that you married an old friend of mine. Actually that would interest me almost as much. No need to put me on the list, I will pick up a copy especially since I did see the PBS show and have worked for and met several Amish families in my time. Is your book available through Amazon or at one of the big book stores? It may take me a while to read it since I tend not to read serious books (The Aluminum Trail) was the last and after that concentrated on Patrick McManus so I could recover but be assured I will read it.
Kevin, it is great to see you here! David talks about you all the time.
I think you’ll find the book uplifting, and you will find, like all other readers, that David is the hero of this story. AND he wrote three chapters of it.
I am happy to add your name to the list. If you want to buy a copy, you can click on the book on the upper right-hand corner of the page, or click on my “Purchase” page at the top. This gives you all the options for how to purchase my books. And yes, you can get them through Amazon.
Stay tuned for an article that David will have published in our local paper on February 3.
I´m sure I would enjoy reading this book 🙂
Jenna, I hope you get that chance! I’ll enter your name in the drawing.
I have been following the “Amish story” for many years. Now that we have the internet so much more information is available. Amish authors are so much more visible as are blog posts, etc. I subscribe to Keepers At Home magazine and have both Amish and Mennonite pen pals which gives me an insiders view of bits and pieces of their lives. I made a request through the magazine for modest dresses and have been blessed ten times over.
Saloma, you bring a depth of understanding to a generational script for living that may not be unique, but I would hope to think that. You have, in a sense, “outed” your people, but it is in truth and love, and for the benefit of your own healing.
I would like an opportunity to win a copy of your book so that I may share it with others. Thank you.
Thank you, Janeen, for your comments. I will enter your name in the drawing.
This is awesome! 🙂 Thanks for directing me here from Goodreads.
This is awesome! 🙂 Thank you for sending me here from Goodreads.
You are quite welcome, Doxiemutti. I will add your name to the drawing.
Thank you for the opportunity–this is very generous of you to offer!
Amber, you are quite welcome. I will include your name in the drawing.
What a coincidence! I have both of your books & just recently was inspired to reread! But go ahead & put my name in – there’s always someone who’s happy to receive a new book!
Mary Ellen, it is gratifying to know you have reread my books. I will certainly put your name in the drawing.
Saloma, please enter my name in the drawing. I love your blog.
Cyn, consider your name entered. Thank you for your kind words.
I have recently moved into the middle of an Amish community and happened upon your site while searching the web for information about my new neighbors. The information presented has been enlightening and will help me feel more comfortable around them as we settle in to our new home. Thank you
RG, good luck with getting to know your new neighbors. Do remember that there is diversity among the Amish, so my experiences could be quite different from those of your neighbors.
I hope you get a chance to read my books. I’ll enter your name in the drawing.