Whew! Time has slipped right past me! I’m under deadline and have been under the weather. Those are never a good combination, are they?
I have so much I want to share, and only a few minutes.
First, I’d like to send a huge CONGRATS to RITA winner, Linda Goodnight. I’m so excited for her! It truly was an honor to be nominated with such a wonderful lineup of women. We had a blast doing the rounds of interviews. You can read each interview on my Book Lover News blog. Linda has written a few things more and shared them with me, so I’ll post that a little later this week.
Second, I’d like to announce the winner of my July blog contest. The winner is commenter number sixty-one, Judy, from Goldsboro, North Carolina. She’s won an autographed copy of each book in the Sisters of the Quilt series.
Congratulations, Judy!
I appreciate each comment made here. And I’m always encouraged by the things you share. Thank you.
It’s time for another contest.
For a chance to win an autographed copy of each book in the Sisters of the Quilt series, all you need to do is leave a comment. You can share your thoughts or simply post “enter me.” This contest will last approximately two weeks. Because I didn’t get to post this new contest on time, those who entered a comment on the last blog entry after the drawing had taken place will be entered into this contest.
And to round this little blog post session off, I’d like to share a bit about detasseling. Some of you are thinking, what?
Corn detasseling is the crucial last step in producing hybrid corn seed. It involves removing the pollen-producing top part of the plant, the tassel, so the corn can’t pollinate itself. Instead, pollen from another variety of corn grown in the same field is carried by the wind, pollinating the detasseled corn. The result is corn that bears the genetic characteristics of both varieties and can produce healthier crops with higher yields. Despite technological advances in agriculture, detasseling is still a task that for the most part is done by hand.
The excerpt above is from Wall Street Journal, August ’02 To understand the process better, just follow that link.
Perhaps a fair amount of non-Amish are still involved in detasseling. I’m not sure what impact the new breeds of corn and the new machines have had on non-Amish, but detasseling is something Amish youth still do.
Corn with tassels still in place.
Corn with tassels removed.
Bis schpeeder (til later)
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The titles sound like reads for me. I recently lost my dear husband.
This sounds like a great book. Thanks for having the contest!
Please enter me! Thanks!
Unfortunately I have not had the honor of reading one of your books. I have just found your site. I have always held a fansination with the Amish way of life so was thrilled to see there were books I could read that would inform me more of what life is like for them. Please enter me in your contest.
I LOVE to read and these sound wonderful…thanks so much for entry!!!!
Hi! I got these books from a friend of mine and I read the first one yesterday and the second one today. I am on pins and needles now waiting for the third book! Thank heavens I only have to wait a couple of weeks for it to come out. It will be fun to see how things turn out! Thank you for writing these books, they’ve been wonderful reading!
I have just finished the first two books in the series. I felt such a kindred spirit with Hannah.
The books touched my heart so much that I read them both in a week. I was blessd by receiving these books through a free exchange and now am passing them on to our the High School Library where I work. We are building a small Christian collection for students. It would be so wonderful if I was able to add the third book in the series to our collection for the students by winning a signed copy! Cindy, you have been blessed with a awesome talent. Thank you for writing books for us to be able to relax and enjoy.
Cindy – I bought both of your books & read them quickly – couldn’t put them down. I’ve pre-ordered #3 and am anxiously awaiting it’s arrival! It’s been a while since I read the first 2, so I’ll probably have to re-read them to prepare for #3. I think I can force myself.
I look forward to reading any books you publish in the years ahead!!!!
I just had to laugh when you were talking about whether many people know about detassling besides the Amish anymore…I live in a rural area and I think almost every high schooler around goes through at least one summer of detassling in the hot, humid heat. It brings back memories! Anyways, I am so excited for the third book! I feel like I am in the story when I start reading them. Can’t wait to read the third! Thanks for all your hardwork and creativeness!
I really like the books… will be waiting for #3.
My sister gave me your first two books and I could not put them down! I offered them to my daughter (21) and told her if she would just start it , she would be hooked. She devoured them each in about 3-4 hours! We are anxiously awaiting the new book. Since reading your books we have visited he Amish country in PA and are going back again in about 4 weeks on our “sisters weekend”. You are a remarkable writer. I love your style. Please keep them coming!
I love reading your books. They take me away from everyday life for a bit. Once I start reading one I can’t put it down. I am saving up the money to get your new one when it comes out and the one with the purple cover(someone stole mine off my desk at work). I am looking forward to the next book.
The ladies in the book club at my church read both of your books and one of them let me borrow her books to read them. I couldn’t put them down all weekend! It is hard to believe that this is your first books. You are a wonderful writer and I am looking forward to the 3rd book which by the way comes out on my wedding anniversary. I couldn’t think of a better gift
At first I was hoping Hannah would reconnect with Paul but through out the 2nd book I was liking Martin more and more. I really am torn whether I want her to end up with Paul or Martin. I can’t wait to find out!
I found your books back in the spring and have fallen in love with your writing style. I sit here waiting patiently for your book to come out in September. Keep the books/stories coming!
Thanks so much for the book,”When Morning Comes.” I really enjoyed it very much. I now have a new appreciation for the word, “nevertheless.” This year has ended my years of homeschooling as my twins graduated this year. As of yet, I am still searching for what God’s plan is for me, but nevertheless, I know He isn’t finished with me yet. I see His gracious hand working things out day by day and am grateful. How wonderful it is to be able to e-mail you, and just say thanks for the encouragement you book offers. Love in Jesus, Irene
awww Cindy…I love your work. You are a wonderful author! I can’t wait to read the third book!
Blessings!:0)
Debbied
HELLO,my daughter picked out this book..I just finished it…I am a so called CITY GIRL but fell in love with hannah and the other characters as well as the lifestyle of the Amish.Now there is a list of my friends at work(MANATEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL–WE ARE NURSES) who are wanting to read this book.Ihave to get to the bookstore for book 2…THANKS
Bummer, I took you on vacation the last 2 years and this year I have to go without you. Atleast I’ll have something to look foward to when I get back.
I can’t wait til the new book comes out. I love reading your books.
Two of my four daughters have detassled corn! It is very hard work but they both did an excellent job. They detassled for Pioneer. I love Cindy’s books. The writing is awesome!! I love that they are not predictable!! Can’t wait for the next one.
September 13, seems like a long time to wait for
the next book. Just finished When the Morning Comes
last night can’t wait for the next one. I pass my books around to friends so I know I will be hearing
do you have the next one finishing yet. Great Writing!!!
I have not read a complete book in a long time and when a friend of mine asked me if I would be interested in reading When the Heart Cries and she said it was Amish it intrigued me. I started the book on the way to Indiana(from Michigan) and the book came alive as we drove on 20 across Indiana. I finished it within 5 days and loved it. I have just started the second book yesterday and my friend asked me if it was as good as the first and my response was “yes, every chapter there is something new.” The next book comes out in just a few weeks and I look forward to that one too. Great works.
I have enjoyed When the Heart Cries and When Morning Comes so much! In fact, I stayed up after I got my children to bed last night and read all of the second. Can’t wait for the next! Please enter me in the drawing.
Amazing books Cindy!! I am excited for the new one to be coming out!! I need to go back and re-read the other two…like some of the other people have done.
oh I can not wait!! I will be in line like the others wanting the new installment!! I never thought that I would be one of those people waiting at a bookstore for the next installment of a book.
I read the first two books in your series in two days it didn’t take long to relize that you were my favorite author ! can’t wait for the next !
Cindy – I have had your first two books on my bookshelf for sometime now as I am a lover of books and just had not gotten to them. I am so enjoying the first one now and in fact that is why I came online to look you up because I just had to see if there was another one following these two. I am delighted to see that there is a third book. In the past I was involved with the Amish (long story) but love those people and enjoy any books I can get my hands on to do with them. Keep up the good work. I will be a loyal fan.
Wow!!! What good reading. Your books held me to the end, and I am looking forward to the third book. I love how ‘real’ your books are in that tragedies and joys both occur. I have referred your books to soooo many of my friends and family, and everyone has enjoyed them!
May God bless your writing!
I LOVED the first two books. One of my best friend introduced them this series to me. As soon as I finished the first one..I read book 2. I was so disappointed to find out that book three was not out yet….I can’t wait to see what happens with Hannah.
Thank you for writing such wonderful books.
Blessings In Christ!!
I have just finished the first two books of sister’s of the quilt and really loved them, I, like other’s went to the store,today, to see if the third one was out yet, no, so I came online to check out your website and found that it’s not out untill Sept. Gosh not to wish time by, but, I wish the third book was out now, I can’t wait for it. Wish it was out now!
From Mi.
Thanks for writing books that deal with real life situations and that reflect the intimate nature of our God who teaches us to dance in the middle of heartache.
Please enter me, I look forward to reading your books, thanks!
Cindy,
What a great author you are. I have read hundreds of books by Christian authors and you are by far my favorite!! I can’t wait to read When the Soul Mends.
Omg I would like to thank you for writing such great novels, I love the realness that you have put in these books, I just finished- When Morning Comes, and honestly I can not wait until September to get the third book, readers beware though because these books will really keep you involved, it is like you are in the novel watching everything unfold. So again thank you Cindy as these are by far the best books I have read in a long time.
I love your books! Hannah is so brave! Can’t wait for the next one.
Loved the first two…can’t wait to read the third. Please write more!
I didn’t realize this was a newer series when I started it. I can’t wait for the release of the third book. It seems like it has been forever since I read the first two. I don’t know what is going to happen but I hope Hannah finds the happiness she deserves. Thank you for creating such a wonderful character and a great story. I can truly envision the characters and what their lives are really like.
Great books!
my sister loves your books and it would be awesome if i could get these for her because she will not shut up about the third book and its getting on my nevers so enter me please
my daughter loves your books so much and i have never seen her more excited to read any book but yours so please but me in this contest it would be a great gift for her and i hve also started to read your first book and can`t wait to finish it and start on the 2nd and get the third
thanks for writtimg these books
Cindy
I can’t wait for September 16. I’m counting down the days. I’m sure I’ll enjoy the new book as much as I have the others. Keep up the good work and have a great day!!!!!
Connie
I cannot wait for When the Soul Mends to come out!! I love reading the story about Hannah and am very excited about what happens with her next. I hope she picks Martin!!
I just LOVE your books. You have such a way of capturing our hearts with your characters. I have such a high respect for the Amish and their simple ways of living. I never got back to you when you ask me how I wanted the third book to end. I hope Hannah stays with Martin.
We will see… Thanks for all the joy you give me thru your books.
Patti
I’ve never enjoyed reading a series so much in my life. My husband and I are expecting our sixth child in September and I’m holding my breath to see if the 3rd book will be out in time for me to take to the hospital.(Smile)Thanks so much for sharing your gift.
srry i just have to add one more thing i am now in the 9th grade lol thanks breanna
well the truth is i LOVE your book your an amazing author!!!!aaaahhhhhh i can`t even thank you enof for writting them well this is why….
i have always been a reader and ever since the 5th grade i just stoped reading!untill my mom found when the morning comes at a yardsale and i was really board so i just happened to pick up your book and started reading not thinking i would even fish the book but i fell in LOVE with hanna and Martin so i could not stop and when i got to the end of the book (in 1 night) i was really devastated by the way it left you hannging
but i went online and searched for your third book asap and i found out that it dose not come out for an entire month and i feel like crying because of the fact that i can`t read it now and i just want to thank you ssssoooo very much you have made me find intrest in reading again and for that i am ssooo very thankful
i just want you to know that every book i have picked up scine the 5th grade i have not finish except yours thank you so much and i would LOVE all three books signed by you that would be the world to me your sortof my hero lol that would make sense if you knew how much i love to read so please enter me in the drawling
thanks again even if i don`t win
-Breanna Lance-
Have enjoyed your writings. We live close to (within 15 miles) Amish country, so get totally wrapped up in believable stories of their lives. Sooooo looking forward to the next book in September. Guess I’ll have to rejoin the Crossings Book Club or just hope they send me a flier. Thank you for enjoyable reading!!
I can not wait for your third book to come out! Please enter me in the contest. I’d love to have autographed copies from you!!!
I have truly enjoyed your books and am waiting patiently for your third book.
Love your books. Please enter me in the contest. Looking forward to the third book.
Someone at work gave me your first book to read because she knew I loved the Amish ways of living…. I bought your second book at Bird-in-Hand, PA and just finished it last night. I just got on line to check on the third book and am excited to know it’s ready! I’m looking forward to picking it up this Oct @ Bird-in-Hand, when my husband & I return for our 6th anniversary!(we go each year for our anniversary) Thank you for the enjoyment of reading what I love….. the Plain Amish ways…..
Blessings to you and your family.
I’ve just recently finished “When The Heart Cries” and loved it. I am now starting to read the second book to the series and am enjoying it!!! Can’t wait until the third is released!!
can’t wait to read your books. they look really good.
Really enjoyed the first two books of “Sisters of the Quilt” series…. am waiting for book #3…
Appreciate your writing.
My mom gave me your books, because she loved them. I know why, they are simply wonderful. I can’t wait until “When the soul mends” is available. We’ll be fighting over who reads it first.
I read both books this summer and really enjoyed them. They made me want to visit Lancaster, Pennsylvania and experience the Amish culture up close. It has been about 30 years since I have been there-I hope it has not changed. I am looking forward to your next book.
Just discovered you and your book at the library. I absolutely love the book. Just finished reading When the Heart Cries and I am looking forward to getting book 2 and waiting for book 3.
I just want to say I love your books and I just cannot wait for the third to come out
Cindy, I loved your first two books. I couldn’t hardly put them down. I got hooked on Beveryly Lewis, and you by far are the better writer. I can’t wait until the 3rd book is out. I hope this won’t be all!! Kathy
I love the Sister’s of the Quilt series and I can’t wait to read book #3! I have really enjoyed them and can’t wait to see how it ends. Thanks so much!
Cindy, it is so nice to speak with you! I am certainly looking forward to reading more of your books as you write them. I have followed this series since it first came out and have read the books multiple times. I can’t wait for the 3rd book- I keep on checking this website and online to see if I can get it…as if checking it would make it come sooner!
At any rate, congrats on the success of your books and I will be in touch! Brenda
Keep up the good work, Cindy. I can barely wait for “When the Soul Mends”! I love your books. I feel a certain kinship since I grew up around the Amish when I lived in Lebanon, Pa. They were so much a part of my world. I guess I took them for granted. But now that I’m living in Missouri, I find them fascinating and can’t read enough stories about them.
I just finished “When the Morning Comes” and can’t wait to get the third book in the series. I so enjoy reading about the Amish and their ups and downs in life. I have read all your competitors Amish books and am glad to have found yours also. Keep up the good work.
Cindy,
You have fans in Tulsa. My friends read your first two Sisters of the Quilt books when they came out. One friend even had her book club read your books. Now, several of us are re-reading them with sheer joy, since you are such an excellent writer. We want to get absorbed into Hannah Lapp’s world, so we are ready for the third book. Cannot wait for the Sept. 16th release date!!
I thoroughly enjoyed When the Heart Cries and When the Morning Comes. I anxiously await the release of When the Soul Mends (I may want to re-read Heart and Morning before reading Soul, however, just to have everything fresh). Thank you for sharing a bit of your heritage with your readers. You have a true gift. As a homeschooler, you inspire me, as well. Blessings to you.
I have read both the first and second books and can’t begin to express the pleasure afforded me. I do believe the Amish culture has a handle on many things the rest of us would benefit from. I too am liiking forward to the next book in Sept. I have my name on a list at our local book store to be notified when the book comes out.
Thanks
My friend gave me the first book to read last week and said it started out slow. Boy was she wrong. I started to read and couldn’t put it down. When I did have to put down the When the Heart Cries, I couldn’t wait to finish reading the story. I started reading When the Morning Comes last night and was up until 2am before I not hold my eyes open any longer to read. Love your books. Beautiful writing of a Beautiful Story. Thank you.
I just finished the second book in your series and with both I had a hard time putting them down. I read each within two days. I can’t wait for the third. The stories are so fascinating.
I love your books sooooo much. I just finished reading When the Morning Comes, and can not wait until September for the next book. I just sighned up for your newsletter, and look forward to reading this as well. You are truly a gifted writer. Continue on the path that God has led you on.
I just LOVE your books!! I am on pins and needles waiting to see what happens with Hannah!
I have read both When the Heart Cries and When the Morning Comes and can’t wait until When the Soul Mends comes out next month. These are wonderful stories. I enjoy them because as a little girl I grew up in Pa. Dutch country around the Amish and Mennonites. I admire their way of life.
I came across the first book at a truck stop near where I live. I thought what an interesting thing that this book was there. I hope that it witnessed to someone else as it did to me. I loved the first book and was so excited when I found the second book a week ago. I am impatiently waiting for the third book’s arrival. These books remind me of my childhood when our family would vacation in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and all the wonderful Mennonite/Amish homes where we would bed & breakfast.
Thank you so much for sharing Hannah. Reading the books is like sharing her life. I can’t wait to read When the soul mends.
God Bless!
Thank you so much for your series of books about Hannah. I became her fiercest companion from the start of book 1. Now I anxiously await When the Soul Mends. I hope Hannah can find closure to the past and great happiness in her future!
I truly loved your first 2 books and can’t wait until the 3rd comes. I love to read on the Amish they are fascinating people. I have read many books on the Amish by other authors. I am always looking for new books to read. I sure hope that you continue to write series books on the Amish. I sure do love your books. Can’t wait for Sept. to get the 3rd. Keep up the good work and hope to see more books from you in the future.
Thank you so much for the wonderful series of books – I happened to find the second book “by accident” at the library and when I realized it was the second in the series, I quickly requested the first one so I could read them in order. Now I’m anxiously awaiting the 3rd installment of Hannah’s life! I have so enjoyed other Amish stories and was thrilled to find a new author (well, new to me!). Thank you again for a wonderful series and hopefully we can look forward to many more in the future!!
Thank you for not only being a successful author but keeping
up a blog to tell us what’s going on and to educate us on
Amish traditions. Please add my name in the drawing . .
Denki , Sara
i really enjoyed your two books. They really impressed me and I really enjoyed the fact that you put the Amish words in the back. That was a nice surprise. Some of the other Amish authors don’t do that. I really liked it when you explained the words in english. Your two books were hard to put down and I read them two in three days. I cried, got mad, was upset and cried again. You keep up the good work. God has really bless you.
Thanks, Connie
Cindy;
I was introduced to your books by a lady at a Library in Michigan.
After I got back home from my vacation, I went and ordered the first book,of Sisters of the Quilt series.
I have been waiting for a long time for book three. How much longer?
Thanks for the memories,
I have thoroughly enjoyed your first two books. I passed them along to a friend and now both of us cannot wait for the third one. Will it be the last in the series or will there be more?
Thanks so much for such pleasureable reading.
Wow what a series 2 day and I was done with both books. They were great. Keep up the good work
I read the first book at a cousin home and couldn’t wait to buy the second one. After reading, When the Morning Comes, I was so disappointed the third book wasn’t out yet. On a trip to Lancaster this fall, I encouraged two of my girl friends to read both books and now we can hardly wait for the third. They were wonderful. Looking forward to book three. Thanks and God Best.
Well, like everybody else, I’m counting the days for the release of your third book.
Do you have plans/idea’s for another series coming out after the conclusion of this one?
I have just finished reading,” When the Heart Cries.” It was wonderful! I could not put it down. I am fixing to start reading “When the Morning Comes.” I can’t hardly wait. I will be checking the bookstores for book 3. These stories should be made into a movie.
God Bless!
Living in NW Ohio we have cornfields all over the place and detassling is almost like the right of Spring. It also means winter is just around the corner. I just finished the second book and I hope to preorder #3 soon. My sister in PA loves them too so I have to send them to her when I am done. Thank you so much and keep these novels coming.
Oh, please enter me a fellow Georgia gal!
I’ve read the first two books in your series, almost as soon as I received them. Hannah is a very well developed inspiring character. Thank you. I can’t wait to get Book 3! God Bless
Yesterday I read When the Heart Cries and a few minutes ago I finished When the Morning Comes. I just couldn’t put the books down. I can’t wait to read what happens to Hannah and the other characters. I told my husband that the people in the novel seem so real and I find myself caring about what is happening to them.
I am hooked on the story of Hannah. I read the first book while on vacation, and immediately went to the library the day I got home for the second book. I’m looking forward to the third book in the Sisters of the Quilt series. I am a beginning quilter, and an avid reader. Oh, and I live in southern Indiana among cornfields. I know a little about detassling!
Thanks,
Linda Acton
Cindy, I absolutly love your books. I read “When the Heart Cries” last summer on vacation and couldn’t put it down (I read it in one sitting)! On our way home, we found the first bookstore we could find so that I could get the second book. Much to my dismay it didn’t come out until September and it was only June. I purchased “When the Morning Comes” the day it came out and read the whole book again in one sitting! I have had the date circled on my calendar for months now with the new books release date! I absoluty can’t wait. I have even re-read the first two so that I am completly caught up! You’re an amazing author, Thank You!