By Amanda Flower
When I was twenty-four years old, I was living alone in Amish country, and I made a list of everything I wanted out of my life. Lots of the things on that list were grandiose. One was become a published author. I accomplished that when I was thirty and now it’s my career! And then another goal was have a pet goat. That’s right in all my dreams one very important wish was for goat ownership. Of the dreams, that’s the only one I have not yet achieved, but I’m getting closer. I own a farm with my husband. Our plan is to have goats on the farm within the next few years!
Millie Fisher’s Boer goats, Phillip and Peter, are central characters in the Amish Matchmaking Mysteries, including the newest novel, Courting Can Be Killer. I put them in the book because, to be honest, I’m living vicariously through my characters until I can have goats of my very own. However, I’ll give you some reasons why goat ownership is so fun.
1. Goats can mow your lawn. No really! If you have a lot of brush and overgrowth, goats will chew that down for you. There are actually companies that rent goats to clear their land. It’s a great environmentally-friendly option. What’s better yet, goats will eat almost any weed, including poison ivy! We have a lot of poison ivy on our farm, and I can’t wait to let the goats loose on it!
2. Cheese! Goat cheese is actually not that hard to make after you gather the milk from the animal. There are lots of recipes on the Internet.
3. Manure. Might be gross, but animal manure is great for a healthy garden. You might as well use it for your garden too. It will have to go somewhere!
4. Wool. Depending on the goat breed, you may be able to shear your goats to collect fiber. Some of the fiber you can collect from goats is cashmere and mohair.
5. Friends! Goats are silly and hilarious animals. I could watch videos of goats romping around all day long. Their antics will put a smile on your face.
If you decide to add a goat to your family keep in mind a few things. They are social animals, which means you will need two goats at least or another animal to be your goat’s companion. Also, like all animals they need some TLC, so don’t adopt if you’re not ready. We aren’t ready yet for goats at our farm but are working toward it. I’m sure when we adopt a goat my readers will be the first to know! Until then, check out what Phillip and Peter are doing in the Courting Can Be Killer.
In USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower’s second Amish Matchmaker Mystery, Millie Fisher has plenty to keep her busy through her golden years, whether it’s minding a pair of rambunctious goats, meetings with her quilting circle, and matchmaking. But the witty widow always makes time to solve the odd murder…
“The Amish Miss Marple strikes again…exciting.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Refreshing…Flower combines quirky characters, close-knit community, and first-class sleuthing to great effect. Fans of Amish mysteries will love this.”
—Publishers Weekly
“There is nothing cozier than the second ‘Amish Matchmaker Mystery.'”
–Library Journal
Between minding a pair of rambunctious goats, meetings with her quilting circle, and matchmaking, Millie Fisher has plenty to keep her busy through her golden years. But the witty widow always makes time to solve the odd murder . . .
Some Amish men don’t know what’s good for them. That’s what Millie Fisher told herself when young Ben Baughman set his heart on marrying Tess Lieb. With Tess’s father refusing to give his blessing and Tess’s ex-boyfriend being a wet blanket, the hapless couple was bound to butt heads more than Millie’s Boer goats. But when Ben tragically dies in a mysterious fire, Millie wonders if someone in her hometown of Harvest, Ohio, wanted Ben out of the wedding picture altogether . . .
With the help of her quilting buddies, and her outspoken Englischer friend Lois, Millie is determined to patch together all the clues without even dropping a stitch. She only hopes it won’t be the death of her . . .
Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking.