About The Book: In a
community where conformity flourishes, seeds of Rhoda’s odd behavior were
planted long ago. Can she cultivate her relationships with the same care and
tenderness that she gives her beloved garden?
Old Order Amish Rhoda Byler’s unusual gift and her remarkable abilities
to grow herbs and berries have caused many to think her odd. As rumors mount
that Rhoda’s “gift” is a detriment to the community, she chooses isolation,
spending her time in her fruit garden and on her thriving canning
business. Miles away in Harvest Mills,
Samuel King struggles to keep his family’s apple orchard profitable. As the
eldest son, Samuel farms with his brothers, the irrepressible Jacob and brash
Eli, while his longtime girlfriend Catherine remains hopeful that Samuel will
marry her when he feels financially stable.
Meanwhile, Samuel’s younger sister Leah is testing all the boundaries
during her rumschpringe, and finds herself far from home in Rhoda’s garden
after a night of partying gone badly. But Leah’s poor choices serve as a bridge
between Rhoda and the King family when a tragic mistake in the orchard leaves Samuel
searching for solutions. Rhoda’s
expertise in canning could be the answer, but she struggles with guilt over the
tragic death of her sister and doesn’t trust herself outside her garden walls.
As the lines between business, love, and family begin to blur, can Rhoda
finally open up to a new life? And what effect will this odd, amazing woman
have on the entire King family?
About The Author: "Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author who has written six novels, three novellas, and Plain Wisdom, a work of nonfiction coauthored with her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. She’s been featured on ABC Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life.She is also a veteran homeschool mom who no longer holds that position. As her children progressed in age, her desire to write grew stronger. After working through reservations whether this desire was something she should pursue, she began her writing journey. Her husband was her staunchest supporter as she aimed for what seemed impossible. 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. She’s been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards. Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Though she didn’t realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began preparing Cindy to write these books. At the age of ten, while living in the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a Plain Mennonite girl. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore the prayer Kapp and cape dresses. Her parents didn’t allow television or radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. 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. 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. 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. As an adult, Cindy became friends with a wonderful Old Order Amish family who opened their home to her. 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. Over the years Cindy has continued to make wonderful friendships with those inside the Amish and Mennonite communities—from the most conservative ones to the most liberal. Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband, three sons, two daughters-in-law, and a new granddaughter."
My Thoughts On The Book: I love the writings of Cindy Woodsmall . She is a wonderful storyteller and a master wordsmith. This first book in the Amish Vines and orchards serieswas fast moving with a good many twists and turns in it. I have to be honest and say that I was a bit disappointed when
the story was not even close to being resolved in the end of the book. I like
closure, yet I understand that there had to be some loose ends for book two of
the series to line up. This book attracted me as an herb grower and some who is interested in herbs for medicinal purposes. I connected immediately with Rhoda and felt a strong bond bloom as her character began to develop. Personally, I was a little surprised at the amount of worldliness
in this Amish community. The Amish
portrayed in this story were definitely not perfect and holy in every way, and
were capable of making mistakes and there were a few who exhibited a mean
streak where their Amish brethren were concerned. I can’t wait to read the next in the series
and hate that I have to wait so long.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free
from the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogging for Books Program.
I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest
review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in
accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
