Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We’ll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.
The winner from the last Author Spotlight giveaway is Juanita Wickey! Please email info {at} suzannewoodsfisher {dot} com with your mailing address to claim your prize.
Welcome Leslie Gould, author of Becoming Bea, to Author Spotlight! Leave a comment below for the chance to win a copy of her book.
Tell us a little about your new book . . .
Becoming Bea, an Amish romance, was inspired by Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Beatrice and Benedick are two of my all-time favorite characters. It was so much fun to put them in an Amish world as Bea and Ben.
How can readers find you and your books?
My website, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Anything new for you on the book horizon?
I’m currently working on a series called The Neighbors of Lancaster County, about an Amish family and a military family that live side by side.
Why do you write?
I write to try to understand life, to find truth, and to let readers know they’re not alone in their struggles and heartaches.
What are you best known for…writing or otherwise?
My husband is a colonel in the Army Reserve and commanded a field hospital in Afghanistan. His service has brought depth to our life as a family, as well as uncertainty. Both ultimately draw us closer to God.
Best author moment?
When women tell me my books have deepened their love for God and for their husbands and family, too.
Worst author moment?
Misspelling “Carol” at an author signing. Somehow I added an “e” to the end—I turned it into a flower. ☺ (Okay, that’s not actually my worse author moment—the others have to do with mistakes in published manuscripts. I honestly try not to think about those—the ones that can’t be changed—too much. Although I do plan to write a blog about it someday.)
If you weren’t able to write, what would you do?
Read! (Although that wouldn’t pay the college tuition for my four kids.) A few years ago, I would have said “midwifery,” but I think I’m getting too old for all nighters now.
Describe your ideal circumstances to write.
If I’m on a tough deadline, I like to get away from my house, and write, write, write without any interruptions. Sometimes I’ll go to the mall for a 10-hour day of writing (I don’t like to shop, so it’s the perfect place!). I’ve gone to a friend’s beach house for three-day marathons before. Or I’ll go to the coffee shop in our neighborhood for an afternoon of writing to stay focused and on track.
Right this moment, what does your office look like?
A mess! I have a first draft deadline a week from now, a rewrite deadline a month away, and a class to plan. I have books and papers stacked everywhere!
How would you describe your writing style to a reader?
Character driven, with a touch of humor and a lot of empathy.
If you could write any book–on any topic–and be guaranteed a publishing contract, what topic would it be?
I have an idea about a seventeen-year-old “missionary” girl—her dad really works for the CIA—fleeing Vietnam in 1975 as it fell to the Vietnamese, and her aftermath back in the U.S. It’s an epic story that covers 40 years and three more wars. We’ll see if anything ever comes out of it. It might be that book that I write for myself someday. ☺
Ever had a bad review? How did you handle it?
I usually don’t worry about a bad review, but I had one that purported blatantly false “facts” concerning the content of my book. I contacted my agent, who contacted my publisher, but no one else was as worried about it as I was, and they didn’t ask Amazon to take it down. Now I just take a deep breath when I stumble across that review and say, “C’est la vie.”
What’s one thing you learned about the publishing industry in last five years? Last year? Last six months?
I’ve learned that it’s constantly changing and to be very, very grateful for every contract I sign and every book I complete. I take none of this for granted.
How do you solve a grammar dilemma?
First I Google it—and surprisingly that always works. If it didn’t, I’d ask a writer friend or my sister, who proofs for me. That said, she catches a lot that I get wrong. Sigh. I’m very thankful for my sister. ☺
Are you an introvert? Extrovert? In between?
I used to be smack in the middle of introvert-extrovert according to Meyers Briggs, but I think as I spend so much time alone writing that I’m leaning more toward introvert.
Do you enjoy public speaking as an author? Why or why not?
I enjoy it once I’m up there and especially once it’s over and I’ve made a connection with a group of new people and am chatting away. However, I don’t enjoy anticipating the speaking! And I have to admit that I enjoy speaking to book groups and librarians more than I do to fellow writers. It’s harder to gauge what other writers need or want to hear.
Can a person make a living as a writer?
Some people can. I’ve made a “living” the last few years, although the money has mostly gone toward college tuition for our children. But I have a husband with good insurance, a good retirement plan for the future, and good jobs (civilian and military). It’s very difficult to make a living as a writer.
What are you working on now? Newest release?
Becoming Bea, the last in my Courtships of Lancaster County series, is just releasing. Yay!!! All of the books are retelling of Shakespeare plays. It’s been such a fun series to write. I have all sorts of great promos and contests going on to celebrate. Visit my website, www.lesliegould.com, for more info!
Start the Courtships of Lancaster County series today! The first book in the series, Courting Cate, is FREE!! (ebook only)
Get it here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Christian Book Distributors
[Tweet “@lesliejeangould has a new book out! For a limited time, start the series for FREE!”]
Pick up a copy of Amish Peace ebook for $5.99 from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Christian Book Distributors!
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would love to win.
Enjoy your books and would to win one.
Thank you, Vickie! 🙂
Thanks for the interview and chance to win!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I love Leslie’s books! I haven’t read this one yet and would love to win a copy of, Becoming Bea!
Loved the interview with Leslie. Such a open, honest, and Godly person.
Blessings!
Judy B
Judy,
Thank you so much for the sweet comment. 🙂
Leslie
This book is on my list at the library
I would love to win this… Looks like a wonderful book. 🙂
Read the first 3 in this series and would love to read Becoming Bea. I’ll also do a review on several popular sites after I read it! sm
Sharon,
Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Leslie
Love when authors interview each other.
I love these interviews too!
I would love to win this book.
I enjoyed the interview. I took a Shakespeare class in college, but don’t remember much, if anything (it was soooo long ago). I’d love to read Leslie’s version! Thanks for the opportunity to try win a copy.
Vivian,
Thank you for the comment! I hope you’ll like my Shakespeare renditions. 🙂
Blessings,
Leslie
I live in Lancaster County, so I love reading books that are set in this area.
Doreen
Thanks so much for your comment. How fun that you live in Lancaster! Such a beautiful place!
Would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance.
“Becoming Bea” looks incredibly interesting, and I am so glad great books like these keep coming out!
Love Amish fiction, and would love to win and read Becoming Bea!<3
I have enjoyed this series of books and would love to win Becoming Bea. Thanks for the opportunity…Linda
I love Amish stories! I have learned so much about the Amish from reading the stories. I fine myself wanting to live like them just so I’d be able to live a life that would be slower . I like also how they put family first.
I really enjoy reading anything Amish. Looking forward to reading Leslie’s book. I know it will be great!
I think it is wonderful that Leslie is combining both the Amish culture and William Shakespeare’s writings in this series. I enjoyed this interview and send blessings to both of you.
Thanks for sharing yourself w/ your readers & potential readers! I relate to sometimes needing to get away from ALL of the distractions to get a project done–your friends’ beach house sounds wonderful!
THANK YOU to your husband for serving & to you for being a military family!
I would love to win one of your books
I enjoyed reading about you.
I have read Courting Cate and enjoyed it immensely. Amish books are my very favorite and I’m not really sure why. It may be the simplicity of the life, but I think it is that the thoughts and feelings of the main character are expressed so openly. I appreciate the thought processes that acknowledge wrong thoughts/actions as well as the self-evaluation and admonition to do the right thing. I don’t recall any other genre novels that are so open about these thoughts and feelings.
Thank you for the opportunity to receive this new book, Becoming Bea. I would be very pleased to win it.
I really enjoyed the interview with author Leslie Gould…….and look forward to reading all of her books too.
I really am enjoying these author interviews and discovering authors that I have never read before. I love Amish fiction and would be so excited if I won Becoming Bea!
I would love to win a copy of this book.
I would love to win a copy of Becoming Bea. I read Courting Cate and really enjoyed it. I like the idea of the books being retellings of Shakespeare’s plays. I also think the idea Leslie has about the 17 year old missionary girl sounds like it could be a really good book. I hope she writes it someday.
Dear Leslie,
Thank you for your interview! I learned a lot of good things about you. I am enthralled with your story line of Amish and military family living side by side. That would make an awesome read!
Thank for the opportunity to win one of your books!
I already have Becoming Bea from you I did a review I just wanted to say thank you very much for your great books keep them coming I will keep watching an I loved reading all the above.
A fan always of yours.
Thanks for this chance to enter to win. I enjoyed this interview.
I am anxious to read your new book . . . winning a copy would be awesome!
Thank you Suzanne for the author spotlight with Leslie Gould. It was really nice getting to know her a little better. I really have enjoyed the Courtships of Lancaster County. I haven’t read Becoming Bea yet so thank you for the giveaway. I would like to thank Leslie’s husband for his sacrifice in fighting for our country. I can’t wait to read the new book from The Neighbors of Lancaster County series after it is published. Thank you Leslie for letting your readers get to know you better. Blessings to both of you.
Love reading about the Amish and the way they live sometimes when I am reading a book I can imagine the scene in my mind
This sounds like another book I would like to add to my library.
I so much enjoyed the interview in getting to know Leslie with who she is and what inspires her to write, giving her readers such an interest in her books. Thank you for sharing her talent.
Would love to win. thanks for the opportunity. My favorite stories are amish.
would love a chance to read a new book 🙂
Thank you so much for this giveaway – I love Leslie Gould’s books! I really hope I can win! I also shared this on Facebook!
Looking forward to reading this book.
It was a great interview and I’m looking forward to your party tonight! I plan to be there. I’m excited about your Giveaway and I loved Courting Cate!!!!! 🙂
I missed the party tonight, I had to work till 9pm. I would love to win this book though.
I loved Courting Cate.
Would love to win this.
Would love the win a copy of this book.
Thanks
Shirley
I’m enjoying this series and look forward to Bea’s story!