Cindy Woodsmall

First, you should know that I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. When I picked it, I was excited because I've just gotten into this genre of Amish fiction and I've bought a lot of books lately to that end and Book 1 of this series: "A Season for Tending" was one of them. So I thought to myself, "Wow! I can read the one I have, find the second one and I'll be all read up by the time I get this one."

I tweeted earlier today that it was Cindy Woodsmall's fault that I've show more not been tweeting much the past few days. That is very true. Her storytelling has held me captive. Despite my irritation, I could NOT put the book down. I had to keep reading! I had to find out what would happen next! And now, having finished the third book in this series, I find myself sitting on pins and needles while I wait for the fourth. Seriously Cindy, write faster please!

This book is a perfect continuation of the story Cindy started painting in "A Season for Tending". Too many authors flounder a bit in their telling of a continuing story. They try to make books stand on their own within a series and they spend half the book rehashing the ones before. They play it safe and end up doing things that worked in previous books and don't take the chances that need to be taken to continue the story properly.

Cindy is not guilty of any of these things. She sprinkles in bits about the first and second books in all the right places and she does it so seamlessly that you don't even realize it's been done. And she definitely had no problem taking chances. While I read, I was annoyed, irritated and frustrated to the point that I wanted to scream. But I didn't put the book down. I couldn't put the book down. I had to keep reading. I had to find out where this book would take us in the continuing saga of Samuel, Jacob, Leah, Landon and Rhoda.

I'm not good at synopsis so I'm going not going to bore you with my pitiful attempt. Besides, you can read it back on the product page. And, if you want more information about the Author: Cindy Woodsmall and her other novels, her WEBSITE is the best place for that.

But trust me when I say that this series is worth your time. It's a fantastic read and not just for those who LOVE Amish fiction but for anyone who loves a great story! show less

Back when I started reading the first book in this series: “A Season for Tending”, I wasn’t even sure I liked it. I am beyond glad that I gave it the benefit of the doubt and kept going! WOW! What a powerful story!

When reading “A Season for Tending”, it took me almost a week to finish it (no I’m not a slow reader just…you know, life). Did NOT have that problem with “The Winnowing Season”. Looking back, I’m not sure if it’s because I was so intrigued by the story by the show more time I got to book 2 or if I moved quicker because I was already familiar with the major players or if it was more that I had momentum and pushed myself to finish so I could get to book 3!

One thing I know . . . I know it wasn’t because the story was better. “The Winnowing Season” was written exceptionally well but so was “A Season for Tending”! Cindy Woodsmall has opened a door into a wonderful world and I am thrilled to have found it and walked through! So far, both novels in this series have held me captivated. The characters are amazingly real and, despite my earlier misgivings about how “Amish” they really were, they are such good, honest, heartwarming people. It makes me long for the kind of community they have. Some days it almost makes me want to consider “going Amish”.

But that’s probably why these novels are so popular in today’s culture. We may have Internet, iChat, satellite radio, television, movies, cell-phones and texting but we, as a society are very lonely people. We reach out in all the wrong ways and this wonderful new genre of literature has made us aware of something that is lacking in most of our lives. To have that kind of community, togetherness, support and love. It’s an amazing idea and it’s wonderful to be able to step into that world, even for a little while!

Cindy Woodsmall achieves that. There are many authors of Amish fiction and Christian fiction and Inspirational fiction but only a handful of them actually succeed in truly making a person feel like they are “in the world” like Cindy Woodsmall does!

BRAVO Cindy! Another triumph!

OK! I’m off to read book 3 now! show less

This is the second book of the Amish of Summer Grove series by Cindy Woodsmall. Because of their close relationship with each other, it's best to read book 1 before you read this second one. In the first book, An Amish mother has had nagging doubts about her child since she was born. There were small things that pointed to the possibility that her baby girl was switched accidentally at birth with another baby girl being born at the same time to an Englisch mother. Yet in spite of these show more feelings, she kept it to herself until her daughter was 20 years old.

Ariana, growing up in a close-knit community suddenly learns she was born to non-Amish parents. In the discovery process, a DNA test was done and it was discovered the other girl, also a 20 year old college student, was not related to the parents she grew up with. A decision is made, mostly because of the stubborn belligerence of Ariana's birth father who insisted she come and spend a year with his family or he would sue the Amish midwife who delivered both babies. Skylar, the other daughter born to Amish parents but reared in the Englisch world, was also wrenched out of her comfortable world and into a very foreign Amish world where she must give up her phone, electricity, money, bank accounts her education (and unfortunately, her drugs) to live with the Brennemans.

The key words in this book are turmoil, upheaval, confusion, unhappiness, and struggle. Skylar now has 9 brothers and sisters and countless nephews and nieces, and not a moment of quiet. She hates working, and her attitude is a major stumbling block to forming any relationship with her new family. In the meantime, Ariana is confused by a father who claims he does not believe in God, hates the Amish way of life, and thinks he can win her over through books and arguments. Angst is a mild term for what these two girls experience over a period of several months. I could barely put the book down since every page was full of unknowns and struggle.

The parts I liked best were where both Skylar and Ariana have to dig deep into themselves to re-arrange who they thought they were and wanted to be. The process was gradual, painful, but there were turning points that were encouraging. This is a book that will make you think as well as feel. In my opinion, this series is the absolute best that this author has written so far. Her soap opera like writing style brings out uncertainties and helps us question life in the very best ways possible. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series. show less

Cindy Woodsmall's books are always beautifully characterized, with humanity as much a part of each man and woman as is their spirituality. The emotions and passions so deeply felt in "The Scent of Cherry Blossoms" are as exquisite and memorable as the blossoms themselves. Annie Martin's difficult relationship with her mother leads her to live with her beloved grandfather, Daadi Moses, in Apple Ridge, PA. She loves the ways of her Old Order Mennonite people, and her heart is conflicted when show more she renews a friendship with Aden Zook, who is Old Order Amish. There are deeply drawn lines between the two orders, but the inappropriateness of the friendship cannot stop her growing feelings for Aden. He has become a fine young man, talented and artistic, but he is dominated by his wheelchair-bound twin brother, Roman. Aden has long thought of Annie as more than a friend, and he struggles with his love for her and his loving commitment to his family and his faith. Annie dares to dream of a life with Aden without the boundaries set by the two orders. While the Amish and the Mennonite at times seem to be in close agreement, they both are strict in their beliefs that the two orders should not mix and mingle, especially in the matter of marriage. Annie and Aden are both aware of the dictates of their separate communities. Their feelings run strong, but the consequences of pursuing their relationship could have lasting harmful effects for all. Can a love as pure and sweet as the scent of cherry blossoms create a new life path for faithful hearts to follow? Once again, Cindy Woodsmall will touch your emotions, stir your thoughts, and leave you feeling very blessed to read the words of a very special storyteller. A recommended read.

Review Copy Gratis WaterBrook Press show less