Although the two women, Miriam and Cindy, live seven hundred miles apart geographically, and a century apart by customs, when they come together they never lack for commonality, laughter, and dreams of what only God can accomplish through His children. While navigating around the adults' disapproval and the obstacles in each other's lifestyle, the two girls bonded in true friendship that lasted into their teen years, until Cindy's family moved to another region of the US.Īs an adult, Cindy became friends with a wonderful Old Order Amish family who opened their home to her. Although the rules were much easier to keep when they spent the night at Luann's because her family didn't own any of the forbidden items, both sets of parents were uncomfortable with the relationship and a small infraction of any kind would have been enough reason for the parents to end the relationship. During the numerous times Luann came to Cindy's house to spend the night, her rules came with her and the two were careful to obey them-afraid that if they didn't, the adults would end their friendship.

Her parents didn't allow television or radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore the prayer Kapp and cape dresses. At the age of ten, while living in the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a Plain Mennonite girl. Though she didn't realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began preparing Cindy to write these books. Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. She's been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards. She's won Fiction Book of the Year, Reviewer's Choice Awards, Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest, as well as one of Crossings' Best Books of the Year.

Wall Street Journal listed Cindy as the one of the top three most popular authors of Amish fiction. Cindy has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal,and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life. Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times, CBA, ECPA, and USA Today best-selling author who has written twenty-two (and counting!) works of fiction and one of nonfiction.

Ties that bind by cindy woodsmall