How Amy Walsh Fulfills Her Childhood Dream

Author Amy Walsh recently stopped by my blog to share some about her writing life.

When do you find time to write?
I work full-time as a fifth-grade writing teacher at a public middle school in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which keeps me wonderfully busy. After a full day of guiding energetic young writers and grading stacks of papers, I don’t always feel like tackling my own stories in the evening. One of the great perks of teaching, though, is having summers off—so most of my writing happens between June and September.

On summer mornings, you’ll usually find me on our front porch, which I’ve happily claimed as my outdoor office. With a notebook or laptop in hand, I write to the background music of chirping birds and the gentle mountain breezes that drift up the hill. There’s something about those quiet, sunlit hours that makes creativity come alive and stories flow a little more freely.

What did you want to be as a child (and did that dream come true)?
I wanted to be so many things when I was young—a detective, for one. In third grade, I signed every letter to my pen pal, “Amelia, the Great Detective.” I also dreamed of becoming a singer, a National Geographic explorer, a spelunker, an artist, the owner of an orphanage… and, of course, an author.

In many ways, my life as a teacher has allowed those dreams to find their fulfillment. I use my creativity every day in the classroom. I sing with my students often. Being surrounded by children brings me genuine joy. And as for running an orphanage—well, raising the three children God blessed me with was adventure enough!

I’m especially grateful that God eventually opened the door for me to become an author. It’s been a gift to finally put to good use the imagination that once got me into trouble as a chronic daydreamer in school. Now those daydreams have become stories, and those stories have become one of the sweetest callings of my life.

What is one of your favorite ways to connect with readers?
I truly enjoy connecting with readers in Facebook groups—especially during virtual celebrations and shared literary adventures. Over Valentine’s weekend, I had the pleasure of hosting a mystery tea party where readers concocted tea recipes inspired by book descriptions. We also solved a tea-themed whodunit that everyone seemed to delight in.

Through gatherings like these, I’ve formed some very dear friendships online. It’s a special gift to have friends all over the world who share a love of reading—and a love for God.

What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense?
I write in several different genres, though I tend to gravitate toward romantic comedy and historical fiction more than romantic suspense. For me, the greatest challenge in writing suspense is immersing myself in a world that feels gritty and a bit dark—especially when the real world already holds so much of that. My husband is a police officer, and at times he comes home with heartbreaking stories of real-life crime, which makes stepping into that atmosphere on the page even more sobering.

Still, there have been moments when God seemed to place more suspenseful stories on my heart—Voices in the Sanitorium and The Sisters’ Tour among them. I truly enjoyed writing both, yet I found myself missing the smiles and laughter that naturally accompany my lighter novels

So I’ve made a decision: my next romantic suspense will carry its share of intrigue and tension—but also a generous measure of warmth, humor, and hope.

About Amy
Amy Walsh is a fifth-grade teacher who loves bringing stories to life, whether she’s in the classroom, around a campfire, or at her keyboard. She’s a fan of kayaking, church singalongs, and family ping pong tournaments. Fueled by faith and a deep love of words, Amy writes to inspire joy and hope.

Connect w/Amy
Website: https://walshmountainpublishing.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walshmountainpublishing
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/amylynn_walsh/_saved/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmyLynnWalsh
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amylynn_walsh
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-Walsh/e/B08RRLKTXT/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21299823.Amy_Walsh
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-lynn-walsh

The Sister’s Tour by Amy Walsh

Grieving her father’s death, Natalie is stunned to discover Alexandra, the half-sister she never knew existed. Hoping to build a bridge, Natalie agrees to join her on a Lochs & Legends tour through Scotland. But amid misty castles and breathtaking glens, old wounds surface. Alexandra is charming, unpredictable… and hiding a lifetime of resentment. Before long, Natalie begins to wonder if she’s the villain in her sister’s story.

When Jonas—Natalie’s longtime friend and secret love—arrives unexpectedly, concerned about the “accidents” dogging her every step, buried emotions rise and tensions deepen. Then an eerie Scottish ballad about sisterly jealousy begins to mirror their journey with chilling accuracy.

Is Alexandra simply wounded… or truly dangerous?

Set in the rugged Highlands, this heartfelt Christian suspense novel weaves family secrets, unspoken love, and faith into a story where beauty and betrayal walk hand in hand—and where God’s grace may be the only path to healing.