A Brand New Look

by

Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. I hope that all of you, despite the need to self-quarantine, had a Happy and Blessed Easter. I missed having my big extended family around me, but with the storms pounding through the area it was probably just as well. We did have a Zoom meeting in the afternoon which was fun. Lots of conversation, wry observances and laughter. It was ALMOST like being in the same room together.

 

So, before I get to the reason for the title of today’s post, I want to discuss a bit of recent, personal history. Back last Fall, my writing life took an unexpected turn. In late September Grand Central Publishing offered me the opportunity to submit an Amish Romance series to them.  It was both exciting and scary. I’d read quite a bit in the Amish Romance genre and really enjoyed the books but I’d never tried my hand at writing one before. In fact, an editor at another house had told me once that she didn’t think that was the right genre for me, which made it all the more intimidating.

But it also strengthened my resolve and I was excited to accept the challenge. As it turns out the timing was fortuitous – I’d already made plans with a writer friend to meet up for 3 days the following week to do some planning, plotting and brainstorming. So within a week I had a fairly solid overview of the series I could send in, and though they asked for some tweaks, I did go on to sign a contract for a three book Amish Romance series featuring 3 sisters.

And though this is a departure for me, I am really enjoying what I’m doing.  Just a little over a week ago I turned in the manuscript for the first one, titled Her Amish Wedding Quilt, which features the middle sister Greta. This book will release in December of this year. I took a couple of days off to shovel out my house and take care of some other things I let slide while I was racing toward my deadline and I’m now ready to dive into the next one. This book will feature the youngest sister, Hannah, and will debut sometime in the fall of 2021.

Now, on to the title I put on this post. I’d been thinking for a while it was time to overhaul my website – my existing one hadn’t had a major revamp for a dozen years or more. So when I committed to write these Amish stories I figured it was time to stop procrastinating and get it done.

In case you’re new here, this is what my previous post header looked like, which was a cropped version of my website header. It reflected what I was writing at the time it went up – small town Americana, both historical and a sprinkling of contemporary.

 

Given that I have absolutely no intention of abandoning my historical western roots, when I talked to my website designer I asked her to design a site that would reflect both aspects of my writing. You can see a cropped version of that new look at the top of this post.  And if you’d like to see the website itself, you can find it HERE.

 

I’d love to hear what you think of the new site and especially what you like about it and what you think could be improved.  Leave a comment and you’ll get your name in the hat for an opportunity to select your choice of any book in my backlist.

And just for fun, here is a teaser in the form of a blurb for HER AMISH WEDDING QUILT

 

Spirited, forthright, impulsive — everyone told Greta Eicher she’d have to change her ways if she ever hoped to marry. Then her best friend Calvin, the man she thought she would wed, chooses another woman. Now Greta’s wondering if the others were right all along. Her dreams dashed, she pours her energy into crafting beautiful quilts at her shop and helping widower Noah Stoll care for his adorable young children.

 

Noah knows it’s time to think about finding a wife. When Greta offers to play matchmaker on his behalf, Noah eagerly accepts. After all, no one knows his children better. But none of the women she suggests seems quite right because, unexpectedly, his feelings of respect and friendship for Greta have grown into something even deeper and richer. But will he have enough faith to overcome the pain of his past and give love another chance? 

 

 

 

 

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Winnie Griggs is the author of Historical (and occasionally Contemporary) romances that focus on Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace. She is also a list maker, a lover of dragonflies and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination.
Three of Winnie’s books have been nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and one of those nominations resulted in a win.
Winnie loves to hear from readers. You can connect with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author or email her at winnie@winniegriggs.com.

40 thoughts on “A Brand New Look”

  2. Your website looks really nice. I liked the blurb for your new book, really interesting. It sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you for sharing.

  3. Your new header I LOVE. Wow congrats on your new series. How exciting.. change mist do not like, some dear, and some embrace wholeheartedly. I’ve found change can lead to better roads yiu might never if traveled.
    Happy belated Easter!

    • Hi Tonya. LOL, I am definitely in the camp of being change-averse. But sometimes when a new door opens for you, you just have to have faith and walk on through.

  4. Congratulations on your new series, Winnie! It sounds exciting. And I absolutely love your “refreshed” web site, especially the new banner. That is beautiful.

  5. Good morning! I love your new header on your website! Such a change! How exciting to be doing a new genre! I wish you the best in your Amish series. I’ve never read an Amish based book. I lived in an area that had quite a few Amish families when I was in elementary school in Kentucky. I was always intrigued when I saw them in a wagon or buggy going down the road or when they were in the grocery store buying staples.

    • Thanks Stephanie! I’m very excited about the new series. And I hope to be able to make a trip to Amish country once we are free to move about the country again.

  6. I love the new header. Good luck with the new series and amish based at that. looking forward to reading them.

  9. Winnie, web site looks good. And what a cool plot for your Amish book.
    I am Actually Reading one of your books right now, a twofer of “A Baby Between them” and “The Proper Wife.” What fun! And what fun to see you in another venue.
    I’ve got to over haul my web site. It’s embarassing.
    Kathy Bailey

  12. I really love your new header. It wonderfully shows both sides. The small town and the Amish. Glad your Easter was nice. Ours was relaxing. We started with breakfast and went to online church in our pajamas. LOL

  13. The website looks great, Winnie. I love it! The new series sounds wonderful! I look forward to it.

  15. Wow! Congratulations, Winnie! I love the new header design and the Amish wedding series! Good for you. It’s just amazing how a new door opens when one closes. A lesson to us never to give up. I wish you all the best, Filly sister!

  16. Congratulations! I’m looking forward to the new series and very happy to hear you aren’t giving up the old. I always like your website header but I have to say the new one is great, especially the full view on the website.

  17. Hi Winnie … the new website design is awesome! The new Amish series looks inviting too. It will be interesting to see how your humor plays into this series. Congratulations on a new undertaking!

  18. Hi Winnie, I love the look of your new website design, it looks very welcoming and very welcoming! Your new Amish Series about 3 sisters sounds intriguing and like very good page turners ! I enjoyed reading the blurb, Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I love stories that include 3 sisters , as I am one of 3 sisters, we do have 3 older brothers, we are 6 siblings in all , the first 3 and older ones are our brothers and then it’s me and then my 2 younger sisters.The Best of luck to you and Congratulations. God Bless you and your family.

    • Hi Alicia. Thanks. And oh, how fun that there was that symmetry in your family with three boys and three girls. There were five of us – I have 3 sisters and a brother, so he was definitely outnumbered. And I have four kids, again only one boy.

  19. I love the openness of the new header. It has nice clean lines and gives a good feeling of being there and wide opens[aces. I like the sound of your new series. We keep planning on stopping in Amish country when we travel, but haven’t managed to do it yet.

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