Hello everyone! Today I have the distinct pleasure to once again have author, Karen Ann Hopkins back on my blog. Last year I reviewed her first book Temptation and Karen wrote up a guest post to share with my readers. This time I am part of the Kismet Book Tour for the second book in the series, Belonging. I will be sharing with you all information about Belonging as well as a character interview with Noah. There will also be a chance to WIN a signed copy of Belonging at the end of this post.
Enjoy!
Find Karen @
Blog | Facebook | Goodreads
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Title: Belonging
Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Series: Temptation #2
Number of Pages: 408
Expected publication: April 30th 2013 by Harlequin TEEN
Genre: Romance > Contemporary
Reading Level: YA
I left everything I knew behind.
But it was worth it. He was worth it.
No one thought an ordinary girl like me would last two minutes living with the Amish, not even me. There are a lot more rules and a lot less freedom, and I miss my family and the life I once had. Worst of all, Noah and I aren't even allowed to see each other. Not until I've proven myself.
If I can find a way to make it work, we'll be NOAH & ROSE together forever.
But not everybody believes this is where I belong.
My Character Interview with Noah.
Q 1: Why Rose? Out of all the young Amish girls in your community, what made you fall in love with her?
In my community, there are at least two dozen girls that are close to my same age. Ever since I was
a small child they’ve been there—always looking the same way and doing the same things. Most
of them seem more like family than potential prospects. Sure, a few are pretty enough and a couple
of the Yoder girls are always smiling, but not one of them has ever caught my eye the way my new
neighbor, Rose Cameron, has. She’s spunky and smart and beautiful to boot—just the kind of girl for
me. The only problem is, she’s an outsider and it’s strictly forbidden for me to court her. I’m not even
allowed to talk to her. Maybe that’s part of the intrigue. She’s completely off-limits. But, during our
secret meetings, I’ve gotten to know her pretty well, and there’s something about her that I can’t quite
put my finger on. It’s as if she’s always been my girl…and always will be.
Q 2: Tell me a little about being Amish. What is one of the hardest parts of living this lifestyle?
I know many outsiders mock our simple ways and our refusal to use their technology and fancy things.
But I can honestly say that I’m content with my life. Working the horses and tilling the land is in my
blood. I can’t imagine a life without early morning breakfasts and prayer around the table or a day
working with the wind on my face and the sunshine on my back. Sure the suspenders are aggravating
as all get out, and sometimes I struggle to stay awake during the three hour Sunday services, but I
reckon it’s a fair trade in the end. I wouldn’t give up my plain ways for the outsiders’ pickup trucks,
computers and movie screens. The more difficult road is the truer one for me.
Q 3: From first glance, what was it about Rose that attracted you to her?
Rose’s bright blue eyes sparking fire at her brother got me first off. She was soaking wet and her hair
bounced down her back in a tangled mess when she scraped with Justin. Once I got past the shock
of seeing a girl in such a state, I couldn’t take my eyes off her—even with Father and Jacob standing
nearby. I’d have to say, I was smitten at first sight.
Q 4: What is your most favorite and the worst family chore you must do?
I jump at the chance to do anything with the horses; grooming, shoeing or simply cleaning a stall is
hardly like work to me at all, but ask me to mow our two acre lawn and I’ll roll my eyes for sure.
Q 5: If you could change one thing you did or said to Rose during your relationship, what would it be?
I would take back ever accusing Rose that she wanted to take the easy way out by remaining English.
I’ve learned a thing or two since then, but I know better now. Rose doesn’t shy away from anything,
hard work included.
Q 6: What is your favorite fun activity to do with your family? (since computers, games and such are not allowed)
On warm summer nights, after a long day of baling hay or framing a house, we’ll all gather around
the bonfire pit in the backyard. Mother will have treats on hand, like homemade ice cream in waffle
cones or puffed sugar to roast in the flames. After we’ve filled our bellies, Mother and the girls will
begin singing. My brothers and I don’t ever join in, but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t enjoy listening
to the way their voices blended together. The sound is what I imagine would come from the mouths
of angels. When their songs finally end, Father’s voice booms out in the darkness with all sorts of
interesting stories, some are made up adventures of rebellious boys and the trouble they get in, but in
the end there’s always a lesson to be learned. The smell of the wood-smoke and the laughter in the
night air always puts my spirit at peace.
Q 7: Is there anything about Rose you wish you could change or just don't like about her?
Even though Rose is about as stubborn as a mule on a rainy day, I wouldn’t change a thing about her.
All the trouble she gives me keeps me on my toes.
Q 8: Where do you see yourself 5 years down the road? What are your life goals?
I reckon in five years, Rose and I will have a couple of toddlers running around. Family means
everything to me and I hope to be as good a Father to my children as my own has been to me. I’ll
be a partner on the Miller construction crew and tending a large farm. In the evenings I’ll be tuckered
out from the long day of work and chores, but I’ve made a promise to Rose that I’ll make time to go
riding with her in the corn fields several evenings each week. Our lives will be filled with hard work and
sacrifice, but also a lot of laughter and love.
Q 9: Would you ever give up being Amish for Rose? Explain your choice.
As long as Rose wants me, I won’t live without her. If I have to leave the Amish to keep her by my
side, I’d do it, but my hope is that she’ll choose to be Amish with me.
Q 10: When was the first moment you knew you were in love with Rose? Where were you at or what happen?
When I think back on it, the first minute I laid eyes on her, I was a goner. My senses came alive at that
moment. Colors blazed brighter, smells were sweeter and sounds sharper. I thought I was plum crazy
when my body reacted the way it did at the sight of the English girl. I had to be careful to keep it all
in so Father and Jacob wouldn’t be the wiser. For a while I tried to convince myself I wasn’t falling for
Rose, but when I was alone with her in the woods on that warm, summer night, I finally let the feelings
in…and I knew I’d found the love of my life.
About The Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Find Karen @
Blog | Facebook | Goodreads
A native of New York State, Karen Ann Hopkins now lives with her family on a farm in northern Kentucky, where her neighbors in all directions are members of a strict Amish community. Her unique perspective became the inspiration for the story of star-crossed lovers Rose and Noah. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, giving riding lessons or tending to a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats, she is dreaming up her next romantic novel.
Please use the rafflecopter form below to enter to win a SIGNED copy of Belonging.
Contest is open US/Canada ONLY! For full rules and regulations check here.
Tour Schedule:
Monday, April 22th - Ashley loves books
Tuesday, April 23th - A Little Shelf of Heaven
Wednesday, April 24th - One Day YA
Thursday, April 25h - Fic Talk
Friday, April 26th - Bittersweet Enchantment
Monday, April 29th - Reader Girls
Tuesday, April 30th - Bumbles and Fairy Tales
Wednesday, May 1sh - The YA Bookworm
Thursday, May 2nd - The Book Heist
Friday, May 3rd - Page Turners
Monday, May 6th - Books Complete Me
Tuesday, May 7th - Bookish Escape
Wednesday, May 8th - Book Sp(l)ot Reviews
Thursday, May 9th - Irish Banana
Friday, May 10th - The Cozy Reader
Thank you for stopping by! Be sure to come on back in a few days. I will be posting my review of Belonging.
Posts
This book looks so interesting because of the culture clash ! I'm not sure I would give up everything I know, I'm sure it would be an adventure though. I can't imagine if like I had to move across the world or something.
ReplyDeleteI would give up my history and culture for live. I want my HEA.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. That would be a hard one. I love my family so much and my life here, I don't know that I would be happy to give it all up.
ReplyDeletemestith at gmail dot com
That's such a hard question! I don't think I could ever give up my family, since they're so important to me. But then again, I've never experienced real, true romantic love, so I can't say if that would be enough for me to give up everything.
ReplyDelete