VIOLETS FOR AN AMISH GIRL - Jeanie Smith Cash - One Free Book

Dear Readers, Jeanie has been a long-time writer friend. One time when I was speaking in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jeanie and her sister drove over from Arkansas. It meant a lot to me. They surprised me where we were eating lunch. I love Jeanie’s writing. We’ve been in the same Christmas novella collection from Barbour.

Welcome, Jeanie. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. 

I think there is a little of me in all of my characters, and I try to show my love for the Lord in each one.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Several years ago my daughter and I were Black Friday shopping ,and we got our basket full of items we had bought, stuck in the gravel trying to get it to our car. After several attempts to get it to move, we were laughing so hard we couldn’t even budge it. We finally took the items a few at a time to the car. Once it was empty one of us got on one end and one on the other and lifted it out of the gravel so we could return it to the store. We still laugh about that occasionally when we go shopping on Black Friday.

That is funny. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

One afternoon, I was reading one of several romance novels I had read, and I felt the Lord telling me this was what He wanted me to do. I prayed about that for awhile and just kind of played at writing. I wrote two books which are still on my shelf and one day I may work on them again. Finally one night before I went to bed I prayed, Lord if you want me to do this, please give me the story You want me to write. The next morning when I woke up I knew the whole story He wanted me to do. With help from a good friend, Barbara Warren who is and author and editor, some of the authors from ACFW, including you, Lena, I wrote the first Christian Romance book that was published by a Christian Publishing House. Violets For An Amish Girl is now my 13th book published. The Lord truly answers prayer if you follow his calling.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. 

The Bible, Christian Romance, Amish Christian Romance, and Christian Romantic Suspense.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I try to start my day with prayer, reading my Bible and my devotional book. I take time to exercise, go to church, have quality and fun times with my family, as well as spending time to write.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I have a baby book of names and I use it some and sometimes I use names that I’ve heard that I like. I try to choose names that fit my characters personalities.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Being happily married for many years to Andy, my wonderful Christian husband and together raising our children in church. They are born-again Christians, and they are raising our grandchildren in church. Our grandchildren are also born-again Christians, all but the two who are just babies, but I know they will both also be raised in church as they grow up. I am not only proud, but we are so very blessed.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

To be honest, I’ve never had the desire to be an animal, but since I need to choose one it would be Bentley, our little Boston Terrier. He is such a good little guy and he is very well loved, gets lots of hugs, he’s is fed well, gets treats, and has a soft bed to sleep in.

What is your favorite food?

I love Mexican Food.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Pure POV. When I joined ACFW I got into a Critique group which taught me how to write with pure POV.

Tell us about the featured book.

Katie Fisher is raised by an Amish mother in an Englischers world. After losing her mamm in childbirth, Katie is scared and alone. When child services threatens to take Susie, her baby sister, Katie honors her mother’s last request and runs with the baby to her Amish grandparents house where they won’t find them. When Katie and Susie arrive, Katie discovers her Daadi is the Bishop. She struggles with his decision to shun his own child. She is given a farm, but in order to keep it, she has to agree to be baptized into the Amish faith and marry Caleb Schmucker, one of the Amish young men she has just met in her grandparents’ community.  

Please give us the first page of the book.

Katie Fisher had been sitting on the bus holding her boppli sister in her lap, for twelve long hours. The closer the bus brought them to their daadi and mammi’s community, the more nervous Katie became. What would they say? Would they let them stay? If not, what would she do? She had very little left after buying her bus ticket and even if she had the money, she didn’t have anywhere else to go. Mamm said she had been shunned for jumping the fence, as she had referred to it and married Katie and Susie’s daed. Mamm said even though she had been shunned, her daed and mamm would take Katie and Susie in because they were their grandkinner. Katie prayed her mamm was right.

Thinking about Mamm brought tears to Katie’s eyes. She missed her so much and didn’t understand why Daed had to die eight months ago in a car accident and now Mamm in childbirth. It didn’t seem fair, but Mamm said it was Gott’s will and we should never question it. She said Gott would take care of me and little Susie because He loved us. Katie knew Gott would provide for them she had no doubt, but she prayed, Please Gott let it be by Mammi and Daadi taking us in like Mamm said they would.

Katie felt better after her prayer. She dried her eyes and took a deep breath. She could do this, Gott would help her. She had no other choice. Susie depended on her and Katie wouldn’t let her down. She kissed Susie’s little head. “You don’t worry Susie and you don’t have to be afraid, everything will be all right. I will take gut care of you. Child Services won’t find us at Daadi and Maami’s, we’ll be safe there.”

Katie looked out the window and noticed the bus was pulling into the station. She took another deep breath and with Susie in one arm and the diaper bag over her shoulder, she grabbed their suitcase with the other hand. Their bag and the diaper bag held everything she and Susie owned so she took them and followed the passengers off of the bus. She looked around the town of Mattoon, Illinois, and wondered if Arthur, Illinois, was as nice a community. Maybe the station master would know someone who could take her and Susie to Arthur, where her grosseldre  lived. She headed inside to hopefully find a way to get there. It was too far to walk.

“Excuse me, Sir, would you possibly know how we could get to Arthur from here?”

The man looked at Katie and then at Susie. “If you hurry next door, Mike Davis, the Chief of Police from Arthur, is at the café and he’ll be heading back there shortly I imagine. He might give you a ride.”

“Thank you, so much.” Katie hurried out of the bus station and headed to the café next door. Oh, please Gott, let him give us a ride.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Facebook.com/jeaniesmithcash

Twitter.com/jeaniesmithcash

or by email: jeaniesmithcash@yahoo.com

Thank you so much, Lena. I appreciate you doing this interview with me.

It is my pleasure and great blessing to have you here. I am eager to read this book. I know my readers will be, too.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Violets For An Amish Girl (American State Flower) - Paperback
Violets For An Amish Girl (American State Flower) - Kindle

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