| Rebounding from a failed relationship, Author Timothy Hayes escapes to the beautiful Amana Colonies to begin a new life. Smalltown Iowa, during the 2020 pandemic, proves lax with social distancing. Social awkwardness, however, is at an all-time high as a host of quirky neighbors crowd Tim’s personal space. Tim’s pug must go for walks which opens the door for adorable children, annoying neighbor men, old ladies who want to tell their life story, and a matchmaker set on “fixing Tim up.” Several attractive young women emerge as contenders for Tim’s heart. A woman twice his age infatuates him with her magical gift of storytelling. Remain True is a dual timeline. Tim’s life in 2020 becomes interwoven with the storyteller’s history, resulting in a surprising singular conclusion. No matter what happens in life, God will Remain True. Genre: Christian Romance Release Date: January 31, 2023 Click here to get your copy! |  |
Interview with Thomas
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
The Amana Colonies are a cluster of seven historic villages not far from where my wife grew up and where my wife and I now live. The Amanas have been an important part of my own story (you’ll hear more about this when I answer question 4) and I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful setting for a novel. Remain True – Amana takes place during Covid. I felt inspired to write a novel dealing with the emotions of a man facing relational pain during one of the most difficult times in the history of the earth. Yet, my goal was a story of God’s ability to surprise us with joy when it seems impossible.
The Amana Colonies are a cluster of seven historic villages not far from where my wife grew up and where my wife and I now live. The Amanas have been an important part of my own story (you’ll hear more about this when I answer question 4) and I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful setting for a novel. Remain True – Amana takes place during Covid. I felt inspired to write a novel dealing with the emotions of a man facing relational pain during one of the most difficult times in the history of the earth. Yet, my goal was a story of God’s ability to surprise us with joy when it seems impossible.
#2. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
Absolutely! I fell in love with several characters in this book. Oma Zuber is an elderly neighbor woman who surprises Tim, the main character, with her magical storytelling ability. She is a woman with a difficult past yet has learned to appreciate and communicate the beautiful reality of life redeemed by God’s grace. Chimichanga is Tim’s dog, a pug with the ability to make people feel loved without speaking a word. I think it’s fun to have animals as important characters in my novels.
Absolutely! I fell in love with several characters in this book. Oma Zuber is an elderly neighbor woman who surprises Tim, the main character, with her magical storytelling ability. She is a woman with a difficult past yet has learned to appreciate and communicate the beautiful reality of life redeemed by God’s grace. Chimichanga is Tim’s dog, a pug with the ability to make people feel loved without speaking a word. I think it’s fun to have animals as important characters in my novels.
#3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Great question. Hearing what readers take away from my novels has been one of the most interesting and surprising things I’ve experienced as an author. People often share meaningful messages they have taken away from my stories that I didn’t even think about or plan. I do try to have concepts and lessons tied into each book. In Remain True, I’m hoping readers can relate with the personal pain my characters are experiencing and receive hope as they read about the way God comes through for them. These ideas are based on true life experiences of friends, family, and me.
Great question. Hearing what readers take away from my novels has been one of the most interesting and surprising things I’ve experienced as an author. People often share meaningful messages they have taken away from my stories that I didn’t even think about or plan. I do try to have concepts and lessons tied into each book. In Remain True, I’m hoping readers can relate with the personal pain my characters are experiencing and receive hope as they read about the way God comes through for them. These ideas are based on true life experiences of friends, family, and me.
#4. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
My wife’s Mennonite grandparents farmed about 20 miles south of the Amana Colonies. My wife and I are still here on the family farm and our children grew up in the same house where their great-grandparents raised their family. My grandfather grew up on a farm about 20 miles north of the Amanas. Both families visited the Colonies for meals over the years. My parents were married in 1951 and my grandparents took the newlyweds for a meal in the Amanas on their wedding day. 30 years later, in 1981, My wife and I honeymooned in the Amana Colonies.
My wife’s Mennonite grandparents farmed about 20 miles south of the Amana Colonies. My wife and I are still here on the family farm and our children grew up in the same house where their great-grandparents raised their family. My grandfather grew up on a farm about 20 miles north of the Amanas. Both families visited the Colonies for meals over the years. My parents were married in 1951 and my grandparents took the newlyweds for a meal in the Amanas on their wedding day. 30 years later, in 1981, My wife and I honeymooned in the Amana Colonies.
#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart:
Remain True does not have many Bible quotes in the pages. II Timothy 2:13 is quoted a few times in this novel because I used it as a theme. “If we are faithless, he (God) will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” The word Amana is a term which means “remain true.” A person might read this book and not think of it as a spiritual story. However, I have quite intentionally laced the message of God’s faithfulness throughout the pages of the book and as a theme for the story. God is faithful to us even if we show ourselves faithless. He cannot disown his kind character no matter what we do or fail to do. How willing we should be to remain true to such a kind king and to the people God has placed into our lives.
Remain True does not have many Bible quotes in the pages. II Timothy 2:13 is quoted a few times in this novel because I used it as a theme. “If we are faithless, he (God) will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” The word Amana is a term which means “remain true.” A person might read this book and not think of it as a spiritual story. However, I have quite intentionally laced the message of God’s faithfulness throughout the pages of the book and as a theme for the story. God is faithful to us even if we show ourselves faithless. He cannot disown his kind character no matter what we do or fail to do. How willing we should be to remain true to such a kind king and to the people God has placed into our lives.
Thank you, Jasmine Augustine, for offering to interview me about my writing and personal life. This has been a fun interaction and I really enjoyed putting some thought into my answers. I hope I didn’t get too long winded. Authors are communicators and if you ask us about our books, we might give you a longer answer than you hoped for. LOL
More from Thomas
Most of us have experienced some dark episodes in this life. How do we find our way back into hope and sunshine? My wife and I have been married for almost 43 years, but about halfway through we were separated for 4 months. The storyline of Remain True has almost nothing in common with the details of my dark time. The difficult emotions and subsequent hopefulness of God’s graceful intervention led me to write this novel.
For Timothy Hayes, life has become incredibly dark. In the opening scene we find him reluctantly removing his wedding band and placing it in a miniature, coffin-like box. To make matters worse, Tim’s personal struggle coincides with the heaviness of the Coronavirus outbreak. His will to live is shrinking. Tim visited the Amana Colonies ten years earlier and thought of the villages as a hauntingly beautiful getaway where he could sulk.
God has another plan.
Small town Iowa is not the place to isolate, even during Covid, as it proves an epic failure in social distancing. Social awkwardness, however, is at an all-time high as a host of quirky neighbors invade Tim’s personal space and refuse to allow him any opportunity to submerge into depression.
I hope those who read Remain True will be able to relate with Tim’s struggle enough to rejoice with him as God provides a ray of sunshine during his darkest hour.
My wife and I found hope and restoration and are looking forward to our 43rd anniversary. We thoroughly enjoy grandparenting our 9 grandchildren (and counting) together. God is good!
For Timothy Hayes, life has become incredibly dark. In the opening scene we find him reluctantly removing his wedding band and placing it in a miniature, coffin-like box. To make matters worse, Tim’s personal struggle coincides with the heaviness of the Coronavirus outbreak. His will to live is shrinking. Tim visited the Amana Colonies ten years earlier and thought of the villages as a hauntingly beautiful getaway where he could sulk.
God has another plan.
Small town Iowa is not the place to isolate, even during Covid, as it proves an epic failure in social distancing. Social awkwardness, however, is at an all-time high as a host of quirky neighbors invade Tim’s personal space and refuse to allow him any opportunity to submerge into depression.
I hope those who read Remain True will be able to relate with Tim’s struggle enough to rejoice with him as God provides a ray of sunshine during his darkest hour.
My wife and I found hope and restoration and are looking forward to our 43rd anniversary. We thoroughly enjoy grandparenting our 9 grandchildren (and counting) together. God is good!
 Thomas Nye | Thomas Nye, author of the beloved Amish Horses Series, writes romance novels with an Historical flare and a touch of humor. He and his wife live on an acreage her grandparents bought in 1918. They have five grown children, nine grandchildren, and a team of draft horses. Their home is situated between an Amish community and the Amana Colonies, a perfect location to inspire his writing. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
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Blog Stops
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Lighthouse Academy Blog, November 9 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Texas Book-aholic, November 10
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 11
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 12
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 13
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Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 15
Artistic Nobody, November 16 (Author Interview)
Exploring the Written Word, November 16
For Him and My Family, November 17
Pause for Tales, November 18
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 19 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, November 19
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 7
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 8
Lighthouse Academy Blog, November 9 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Texas Book-aholic, November 10
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 11
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 12
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 13
lakesidelivingsite, November 14
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 15
Artistic Nobody, November 16 (Author Interview)
Exploring the Written Word, November 16
For Him and My Family, November 17
Pause for Tales, November 18
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 19 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, November 19
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