More settled in her heart than ever before, Rhoda Byler feels a newfound confidence living in the Old Order Amish settlement she helped establish in Orchard Bend, Maine. Time has helped to heal the wounds of Rhoda’s recent severed relationship, and she finds that even her unusual gift of profound intuition is less of a burden as she continues to seek God’s wisdom for her future. She is happy to be working alongside the King family and the love of her life as they tend and nurture the settlement’s orchard. Yet when Leah King’s involvement with Englischer Landon Olson becomes known outside of the Maine community, her disregard of the Ordnung could threaten all the Orchard Bend Amish are building. In the midst of addressing the discord, a shocking tragedy challenges the young settlement like never before, threatening to uproot Rhoda’s peace and the future of everything she holds dear. When several members of Orchard Bend Farms are displaced, the estranged King brother is called upon to return. Can those who founded the new Amish community in Maine unite Or will the lingering pain of past hurts and present struggles result in the end of their dreams?
About The Author: Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times, CBA, ECPA, and USA Today best-selling author who has written a dozen (and counting!) works of fiction and one of nonfiction. She and her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud, coauthored the nonfiction, Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women. 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. In June of 2013, the Wall Street Journal listed Cindy as the second most popular author of Amish fiction, following Beverly Lewis. She's 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 and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains in their now empty nest. If you'd like more information or to contact her, you can go to her website:
http://www.cindywoodsmall.com
or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorcindywoodsmall
My Thoughts On The Book: This fourth book in the series centers with the Amish families who moved to Orchard Bend, Maine and I loved it! Cindy Woodsmall is quite the wordsmith and storyteller. It seems that each new season seems to bring new trials and tribulations. In this book I found that Rhoda seemed to be more settled and her love for Samuel grows stronger every day. The question is will Jacob drive a wedge between the two of them. Samuel's baby sister,Leah is battling with a life choice of remaining Amish or leaving the church and attending an Englisher church. This choice is working against Landon and her and their budding love. Jacob finally sees that Rhoda is not the one for him, but he has to find a path to follow that will lead him to true love. The family works together, struggles, divides, and finally the family comes together when Phoebe becomes very ill and has to be in the hospital for a long time. I have read all three of the other books in this series and loved them all. While you can enjoy this book as a stand-alone book it makes it much more enjoyable and easier to understand if you read the series in order. Once you start this book you will not want to put it down.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher, Waterbrook Press as a member of the blogging for books program in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorcindywoodsmall
My Thoughts On The Book: This fourth book in the series centers with the Amish families who moved to Orchard Bend, Maine and I loved it! Cindy Woodsmall is quite the wordsmith and storyteller. It seems that each new season seems to bring new trials and tribulations. In this book I found that Rhoda seemed to be more settled and her love for Samuel grows stronger every day. The question is will Jacob drive a wedge between the two of them. Samuel's baby sister,Leah is battling with a life choice of remaining Amish or leaving the church and attending an Englisher church. This choice is working against Landon and her and their budding love. Jacob finally sees that Rhoda is not the one for him, but he has to find a path to follow that will lead him to true love. The family works together, struggles, divides, and finally the family comes together when Phoebe becomes very ill and has to be in the hospital for a long time. I have read all three of the other books in this series and loved them all. While you can enjoy this book as a stand-alone book it makes it much more enjoyable and easier to understand if you read the series in order. Once you start this book you will not want to put it down.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher, Waterbrook Press as a member of the blogging for books program in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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