Q: What inspired you to create the Quilts of Lancaster County series?

Barbara: I have loved learning about the Amish since I took a trip to Lancaster County years ago. They inspire me with their desire for a deeply spiritual, simple way of life. For the Quilts series, I wanted to explore how a young woman who was in love with the life and with a young man could adapt to that life after a devastating injury that affects her belief in God.

Q: Is there anything specific about the titles you chose?

Barbara: I wish I could take credit for the titles. My wonderful editor, Barbara Scott, read the first manuscript and saw that I mentioned Ecclesiastes ("a time to love, a time to . . .") and wanted to change my titles. She was very sweet in her e-mail, saying sometimes authors get attached to their titles. Well, we do sometimes but not when someone else comes up with something so much better! Then she said the editorial committee discussed how quilts were used in the book (Jenny wakes in the hospital covered by a quilt made by her grandmother).Barbara said each of them had memories of quilts—even the sole male committee member—and it felt like everything fell into place.

Q: How much research did this series take?

Barbara: Tons! I wanted to make certain that I caught the way of life, the search for a deeper meaning to life, not just the focus on ourselves and the endless search it seems the Englisch, as the Amish call us, seem to have for things. In my research, I met an Old Order Amish woman who would graciously agree to read my work. I wanted to make sure I didn't offend the Amish, or make a mistake—readers who like Amish fiction know a lot about them. When she called to tell me that it was obvious I loved the Amish, that she had enjoyed the first story I sent her, I sat down and cried. I felt like I'd done the job I hoped to do.

Q: What elements do you think readers will find they can relate to even if they're not familiar with the Amish culture?

Barbara: Reading is a very individual experience so there may be different things that resonate for different readers. One thing I know for certain is that I have found it easier to trust God's will, something the Amish feel is an important part of their spiritual life.

Q: How do you as the author connect with the characters in the series?

Barbara: I didn't base Jenny on me, but I was able to use my experiences with wondering what God wanted me to do with my life when I experienced a big change in it. And oh, did I ever relate to her struggles with physical therapy because I'd had an injury the year before and dealt with it. I also loved to write about the children in the story as they grow and become even more dear to Jenny and the family.

Q: Do your characters begin to take on a life of their own as you write?

Barbara: They sure do! My daughter came home from school one day to find me sitting and crying at my computer. I told her that so-and-so had died. She said she didn't know I had a friend with that name. It was a character. (I can't tell you the name of the character—spoiler alert!)

Q: Can you give us a teaser as to what we can expect in the future?

Barbara: There are three books in the Quilts series but who knows . . . maybe there will be more. And my editor has also bought Stitches in Time, a three-book Amish series (one of the books is set in an unusual location . . .).

Q: What message would you like your readers to take away from A Time to Heal?

Barbara: Maybe the first and most important is that there is always hope—hope that we will grow even closer to God through any time we experience when we feel alone with a challenge. And we never know when and where we may find love.