Hi Debbie and thanks for inviting me to hop on over to your blog! Always fun to be here and you always have the best questions!!!
The Matchmaker is the second book in my Amish Classics series. It is the retelling of Jane Austen’s classic book, Emma. Based in an Amish setting, my Emma follows the same trials and tribulations of Jane Austen’s Emma. She thinks a little too highly of herself and those around her. She is quite happy to express her opinions, often when she shouldn’t. Personally, I love Emma as a character because she is so real. Let’s face it…she’s flawed. Aren’t we all? But her flaws get her into a few situations that will make the reader chuckle. That’s the best part of retelling Jane Austen’s novels: She had the greatest characters!
You have had a rough year. How do you always have a positive attitude with everything you have been through?
Total confession: When I was diagnosed with breast cancer and it turned out to be a little more serious than they originally thought and then the plastic surgeon basically maimed my body which took almost TWO YEARS to fix, I made a big mistake. While I’m not partial to whining and adopting a “woe is me” attitude, I think I could have been a little LESS positive.
There were times when people actually forgot about what I was going through! The surgeries, the recovery, the chemotherapy, the hair loss (which was the total pits), more surgeries…That takes a huge emotional toll on a person. Everyone has problems, but people who are strong on the outside might be breaking down on the inside.
Being strong comes with a price and sometimes you do have to cry and have a pity party in order to get back on your feet. And for family members of someone who is going through tough times, compassion and understanding is helpful. I have another confession…my cyber-family never once strayed with their love, support, and prayers. During difficult time, I turn to them more than anyone else. <3
Do you write real life experiences in your books?
Definitely! In fact, I am doing this more than ever. An Amish Buggy Ride and An Empty Cup (Waterfall Press) incorporate many real life experiences, experiences that people are often afraid to address: bullying, verbal abuse, alcoholism, domestic violence, depression. The problems that we face are not unique to us. These are universal problems…and the Amish face them, too. I know it’s nice to think that the Amish have the perfect lives, but they are people and people have personalities. You put a bunch of people into a room and there’s going to be clashes. It’s human nature. Some readers might not care to read (or even believe!) these situations…but I can assure you that anything that happens in our world—the good, the bad, and the ugly—happens in theirs.
What is your greatest accomplishment so far?
OK, I know I’m supposed to say something like raising my children or supporting charities, or rescuing animals (all of which are, indeed, great accomplishments), but my greatest accomplishment is my sheer determination to face even the most difficult and scary challenges without sacrificing who I am as a person. I’m not perfect. No one except Jesus is perfect. And God has plans for us, whether we like them or not. I have a very strong work ethic and work for what I achieve. I don’t like things given to me; they have to be earned. And if that means facing difficult challenges or putting in 14 hours days, I will do it. There is a saying that if God brought you to it, God will help you through it. Well, the key word there is “help”—He is not just carrying you through it, He is helping you through it. That means that we have to try to help ourselves, too. Lean on God and He will HELP us…but He isn’t just going to give it to us.
If you were younger and knew what you know now what would you change and why?
Probably nothing. Honest. I know that’s a boring answer, but it’s true. If I changed one thing, I might have moved to Paris as a fashion designer, quit college to become a professional cowgirl, or run off with the circus (well, since I actually DID that, maybe that’s a bad example). Besides, in my heart, I’m still a kid at times and I feel like I’m 29 years old. In fact, my son gives me a birthday card that says “Happy 29th Birthday for the XX time.” I’m not telling you the XX part. ;-)
How do you meet all of your deadlines and still meet all of your family's responsibilities?
I work very, very well under pressure and I have an awesome family. My husband and my two children get “it”. When I’m a stress maniac and writing to meet deadlines, they leave me alone. My husband just built me a writing room that is connected to the bedroom. It’s actually a really cool library…I call it my woman cave. I just disappear and write. My husband feeds Alex and Cat, or runs them places. I couldn’t do it without the three of them. Oh, and of course, I always have Tobi to keep me company while I’m writing. I talk to him a lot and brainstorm storylines. He’s an awesome writing companion.
What is your favorite book that you have written?
Hands down, the Plain Fame series. That was a scary book to introduce to my readers. I simply could not believe how it took off! Combining a young Amish woman with a Cuban international star? And it worked??? Wow. But, like I responded earlier, I love challenges.
The idea came to me while walking to work in Manhattan (I used to teach at a college there). I was irritated that my fan crush, Pitbull, was performing at Rockefeller Plaza and I couldn’t go watch; I had to teach instead. I was talking on the phone, complaining about this devastating loss on my part, and the other person said, “Well, maybe you’ll get lucky and his limo will hit you when you cross Fifth Avenue!”
Happy birthday, Amanda and Alejandro! Literally, that was the day that they were born.
Without doubt, they are my favorite characters. I love their love story, the way they talk to each other, how he helps her adapt to change, how she helps tame him. They feel like family to me. And their story is not over yet so…stay tuned…
Who is your favorite author?
Obviously I love Jane Austen. I also love Victor Hugo and plan on retelling Les Miserables in an Amish setting. I appreciate their style of writing and the hidden elements and layers of the story that make if great literature.
Now, as far as more contemporary authors, true storytellers, who inspired me…Laura Ingalls Wilder, Alex Haley, John Steinbeck, Upton Sinclair, and Tracy Chevalier. Now there are five authors that you normally wouldn’t see grouped together! Each of those authors wrote books that impacted me in different ways…ways that made me want to refine both my writing AND my storytelling skills.
What’s next for you?
The sequel for the Plain Fame Trilogy, Plain Return, is going to be released in October. I know that my readers will be quite pleased with this novel. I receive letters and emails almost daily requesting more Amanda and Alejandro. Of course, there are more Jane Austen adaptations, too.
If you would like to learn more about The Matchmaker and visit other tour stops here is the link to take you to the Blog Tour List.
The Preiss family emigrated from Europe in 1705, settling in Pennsylvania as the area's first wave of Mennonite families. Sarah Price has always respected and honored her ancestors through exploration and research about her family history and their religion. At nineteen, she befriended an Amish family and lived on their farm throughout the years.
As a masterful storyteller, Sarah Price prides herself on presenting an authentic Amish experience for her readers. Many of her stories are based on actual people she has met and her own experiences living among the Amish over the years. Sarah now resides in Morris County, New Jersey with her family.
While she started out as an Indie author, she signed on with Realms, an imprint of Charisma House and Waterfall Press, an imprint of Brilliance Publishing. Her first book, First Impressions: An Amish Adaptation of Pride and Prejudice was released in May 2014.
Get the latest news about Sarah Price on Facebook, Twitter, and sarahpriceauthor.com.
Please use these buy links: Amazon / B&N / Christianbook.com
My Review:
I just finished reading "The Matchmaker" by Sarah Price. It is a retelling of Jane Austen's "Emma" only Sarah's Price novel is written from an Amish perspective and I am thinking this is really good! My question is who has read Jane Austen? I haven't read any of Jane Austen's books because I thought I wouldn't like them but I read Sarah Price "First Impression" which is based on "Pride and Prejuice" by Jane Austen only Sarah's was Amish and loved it and then I read Jane Austen's version and loved it! So I am wondering why did I think I wouldn't like Jane Austen before, is it because I didn't think I would like the style, maybe the genre " classic" scared me off but then I loved "Gone With The Wind" and it is a classic. Well, with that said I haven't read "Emma" by Jane Austen but it is now on my to be list as well as the other novels by Jane Austen.
"The Matchmaker" by Sarah Price is classic genre with an Amish twist. Emma is determined to never marry but she knows who is the perfect match for her new friend Hannah. At least she thinks she does. Emma means well but her plans aren't what God has planned and hearts are broken! Can they be healed and lives lived as only God planned?
It was fun to read this book and see how Emma grows out of her prejudice ideals and learns to "Let Go and Let God" This is a fun book with plenty of secrets. I challenge you to read "The Matchmaker" and you will become a Sarah Price fan too!
"The Matchmaker" is a five star book!
I was given a pdf file of "The Matchmaker" by the publisher for my honest review!
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