Molly Jebber - Award-Winning Amish Historical Romance

Molly Jebber - Award-Winning Amish Historical Romance
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Molly Jebber is a best-selling and award-winning author of Amish Historical Romance. Molly’s books have been featured in Publisher’s Weekly Best Ten lists, USA Today’s HEA, featured in a live video on Naples News, many media outlets across the U.S. and Romantic Times. You’ll find her books on most stores the first three months of their release across the U.S, UK, Canada, and more. She’s been interviewed on television, and she’s a touring speaker for Women’s Christian Connection, other women’s professional organizations, and she offers presentations on writing, agent or no agent, publishing, and marketing. She also speaks about the Amish lifestyles and traditions. She says the most rewarding part about writing stories is meeting wonderful readers who become friends through social media and at her speaking events. Please visit her website: http://www.mollyjebber.com for a full list of her books (and options of stores to buy them), speaking events and recipes. She loves God, her family, and friends and Florida sunshine. She says yes to swimming, the beach, golf, and time with her family and friends, and no to coconut, onions, and skydiving! As our Author of the day, Molly tells us all about her latest book, Change of heart.

Please give us a short introduction to what Change of Heart is about.

CHANGE OF HEART is Book 1 of the Keepsake Pocket Quilt Series. (CHANGE OF HEART, GRACE’S FORGIVENESS, and TWO SUITORS FOR ANNA – all available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more.)

In each book, a loved one or friend receives a quilt with a pocket stitched on it with a heartwarming note inside. Women bought quilts after reading these books to stitch a pocket on them and write a note from mothers to daughters, grandmothers to granddaughters, and friend to friend. When we are miles away from someone, it’s nice to have a note to read over and over again when we miss them.

A modern new century brings a young Amish woman an unexpected new life—and a chance to discover love's true way home…

Ohio, 1899. Soft-spoken midwife Becca Yost lived by her Amish faith's strict rules—until her fiancé jilted her before their entire community. She's never been away from home, but the bustling Englischer town of Massillon, Ohio, is a welcome unexpected refuge. Especially when she goes to work for Dr. Matt Carrington, who shares her passion for healing those in need. His outgoing spirit and gentle strength show Becca a surprising new world of choices—and irresistible love. But there is one formidable obstacle: Matt's wealthy mother is determined her son will marry a society woman.

With her newfound resolve challenged, Becca decides that she and Matt must not be destined for each other after all. She accepts that she will have to forge a life alone—until a wrenching crisis and life-changing revelations teach her that true faith lies in all things, especially impossible second chances. . .

What inspired you to write about someone who leaves her Amish life and has to face the realities of the "outside" world?

I wanted to show her out of her comfort zone and the hard decisions she had to make. Also how her upbringing in the Amish life taught her compassion for others. She learns you don’t have to be Amish to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. She faces danger and a ruthless mother-in-law. She’s challenged a lot in this book.

Tell us more about Becca. What makes her tick?

Becca doesn’t leave her Amish life, family, and friends thinking she won’t be back. She goes to visit her sister who has left Amish life three years ago. They’ve written letters to each other to keep in touch. She is surprised when she is offered a job by Dr. Matt Carrington, and then later, falling in love with him. She’s torn between returning to her Amish life or living in the outside world. She’s compassionate, brave, caring, and determined.

Why did you pick 1899 Ohio as the backdrop for your story?

I have a news boy shouting out the latest news and Englischers talking about what is happening in the world. She’s avoided newspapers. Now she’s going to learn about politics, entertainment, and more. I had fun writing her reactions to these things. 1899 had some fun food and game inventions, and President William McKinley was fun to write about in this story.

How much research did this book require from you to make the history part of it feel authentic?

I researched President McKinley, foods, entertainment, and more for what really happened in 1899.

What drew you to start writing Amish Historical Romance?

Mary Sue Seymour, owner of The Seymour Agency, talked with me at a conference. We shared our belief in God, and she said I should consider writing Amish Historical Romance. She said if you don’t believe in God, you can’t write it as well. I loved the idea, researched, and wrote Change of Heart. I love writing Amish romance. I have visited many times the Ohio and Indiana Amish communities. Mary Sue is deceased now, and I miss her. I am thankful and blessed to have my current agent and publisher.

quilt
The quilt picture is an actual Amish quilt over 100 years old I bought at an Amish auction. It has flour sack cotton material for the back. I took it to my speaking engagements to talk about the Amish lifestyles and traditions and to some of the writing classes I presented.

Which of the characters in this book did you find the most challenging to create?

The kidnapping scene. All that action. But my critique partners helped me a lot. Patty Campbell, Diana Welker and Marie Coutu.

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

I worked for four hospitals as Director of Regulatory for Pharmaceutical Research, and then as Director of Pharmaceutical Research. Then as a Contract Manager for a Design/Build firm, because the healthcare job had too much traveling. I loved the Design/Build job – the contracts, new buildings, marketing, and people. It was great. I love to swim, speak to new writers about how to write, market, and get published. I like golf, crocheting, and talking about the Amish to women’s groups. I’m also a speaker for Women’s Christian Connection. I love dates with my husband, Ed, and shopping, movies, and more with my daughter, Misty, and my friends. I love my readers and seeing them at events or learning more about each other on Facebook.

When working on a new book, what’s the first thing you do?

I create my internal and external conflicts, and then write a blurb like you’d read on the back of a book. I need to decide what do my characters want, how can I make it difficult for them to have it, and then make it worse before it gets better in the end.

Is there an underlying message you wish to relay about basic human nature through your characters?

I like to show that no matter our flaws, we have strengths too. And to show that no matter how hard life gets, we can always depend on God.

Does this story contain an underlying message? What do you hope readers will take away from it?

I want readers to enjoy the story, be surprised, and not want it to end. I want them to root for my characters and see how they characters believe in God but they are not perfect or expected to be. They struggle with some of the same issues we do. I put them in danger to make us question what would we do in the same situation. I like making readers laugh, gasp, and maybe cry happy tears when I end with a happily ever after.

Do you have any interesting writing habits? What is an average writing day like for you?

I try to write 20,000 words a month. If I get behind because of my speaking engagements, I have a crazy hair day, where I write all day without getting out of my jammies. Other days, I’m writing on a schedule. Ed, my husband, is my best supporter and encourager. He’s a big help.

What are you working on right now?

Hannah’s Courage released Jan. 28, 2020. I’ve finished Maryann’s Hope which will release Jan., 2021, and I’m now writing the 5th book, Magdelena’s Choice. All of these books are in my Amish Charm Bakery Series. Charm is the actual town in Ohio where the story takes place. LIZA’S SECOND CHANCE and ELLIE’S REDEMPTION and HANNAH’S COURAGE are all available in stores and in paperback, hardback with large print, and eBook.

Where can our readers discover more of your work?

They can visit my webpage at http://www.mollyjebber.com and on my “Books Page”, I have book trailers for each of them they can watch to learn what the books are about. My Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/mollymorrisjebber

Thank you for having me here today!!!

This deal has ended but you can read more about the book here.