Amy Lilliard’s first historical novella starts out with a common problem but her heroine Maddie seeks an unusual solution in The Gingerbread Bride.
Maddie’s weakness is lack of trust in God. As a result, “she’s so desperate to find love that she grows impatient and takes matters into her own hands.”
The results, of course, backfire in a curious way involving a Christmas gingerbread man.
Set in Arkansas‘ Ozarks following the Civil War, The Gingerbread Bride features a zany young woman, the voice of reason in her older sister and a lonely young man, Harlan, invited to Christmas dinner.
Amy enjoyed writing the story because of the close relationship between Maddie and her sister Grace.
“It made me miss my own sisters. We don’t live close, but we always have each other’s back—even when we mess up,” she said. A history major in college, Amy was always intrigued by this time period, “a nation rebuilding, still growing and pushing westward, settled, but still a little wild.”
During the writing of the novella she researched the location and period clothing, but also mistletoe traditions and when they started, Christmas trees in America, Christmas cookies, and wedding cakes. “The idea that everyone is one of God’s children grew out of the story itself,” Amy added. Christmas in the Lilliard household involves a big meal served around a fancy set table.
“But what makes the celebration different from year to year is we tend to invite anyone and everyone to come eat with us. It seemed natural to me that the pastor would invite Harlan to dinner. He has no family close and needs to be with others on Christmas Day. Family can mean so much more than those joined by blood or marriage.”
The Gingerbread Bride’s sequel, The Wildflower Bride, opens at a wedding and features the blooming romance between the best man and maid of honor.
When the maid of honor, Grace, catches the wildflower bouquet, the loving bride is convinced Grace will marry next. But how will that come about with such a best man?
Amy enjoyed working on The 12 Brides of Christmas Collection. “I feel so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful and talented group of authors. I have made some great friends.”
Who is Amy Lilliard?
Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess. Amy is a native of Mississippi who currently lives in Oklahoma with her husband and son.
For more information about Amy, please visit her website: amywritesromance.com
You can also find Amy on
The Gingerbread Bride can be ordered here.
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Got them all?
I really like the 12. Brides of Christmas and The Gingerbread Bride is also enticing. I really like Christmas collections. Sm. Wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
It’s a fun story, isn’t it?