Category Archives: Cindy Woodsmall

Review: A Christmas Haven by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall

Title: A Christmas Haven by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall
Publisher: Waterbrook
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 208 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

ECPA BESTSELLER • For fans of holiday romances and Amish life comes a new Christmas tale of surprising expectations and discovering miracles.

Old Order Amish Ivy Zook is wrestling with her need to shed her community’s ways so she can grow the business of her dreams: planning parties. As long as she’s stuck living without modernization, she can barely get her business on its feet. But if she leaves too soon, she’d cause trouble for her sister, Holly, who is planning her wedding to Joshua Smucker. All of their plans become twice as complicated when an old car crashes into the storefront of Greene’s Pharmacy, carrying a Swartzentruber (ultra-conservative sect) Amish man, Arlan, and his very ill sister.

The Zooks take in Arlan and Madga, tending to the woman’s illness and Arlan begins helping around the family farm. Ivy and Arlan are on different tracks, one wanting to leave her community and the other to return to his. But both young people are trying to discover what God has in store for their futures and what miracles might lie around the corner this Christmas season.

Review:

A Christmas Haven by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall is a thought-provoking Amish romance.

Ivy Zook is a party-planner with her best friend and she is ready to leave her Amish faith in order to expand their business.  She also helps her mamm on the family’s dairy farm and she is ready to leave caring for cows behind her. Ivy has a big heart but she is also stubborn and outspoken.  Knowing she is breaking her mamm’s heart, will Ivy follow through with her plans?

Arlan Keim and his family are Swartzentruber Amish and this ultra-conservative sect is extremely strict. Despite his dream to own a farm with his brother, Arlan’s father is not allowing him to move just yet.  But this turns out to be fortuitous when his younger sister Magda becomes quite ill and their parents refuse to seek medical care.  Defying their wishes, Arlan devises a plan to help his sister. Despite their rather dramatic entrance into the Zook’s lives, Arlan and Magda find a much need sanctuary when they need it the most. At first objecting to the more relaxed Old Order Amish lifestyle, Arlan experiences a crisis of faith as he discovers that stricter does not necessarily mean better.

Ivy’s sister Holly also faces a bit of a crossroad as her wedding to Josh draws closer.  Holly’s Bishop has allowed her to follow her dream of helping Amish families understand the importance of taking their prescriptions. She is continuing her education to broaden her reach throughout the community. But after the wedding, Holly is expected to follow tradition and give up her job. She and Josh are hoping his Bishop will grant permission for her to continue working, but will he agree to their plan?

A Christmas Haven is a captivating Amish romance with marvelous characters and a unique storyline. All of the characters grow and evolve throughout this heartwarming story.  Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall bring this delightful romance to a heartfelt and gratifying conclusion. Highly recommend to readers of Amish fiction.

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Filed under A Christmas Haven, Amish, Cindy Woodsmall, Contemporary, Erin Woodsmall, Rated B+, Review, Romance, WaterBrook

Review: The Englisch Daughter by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall

Title: The Englisch Daughter by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall
Publisher: WaterBrook
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Women’s Fiction
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A marriage is tested in this Old Order Amish novel of longing for renewed love and a path for forgiveness from the best-selling author of Gathering the Threads.

Old Order Amish wife and mother Jemima has put her marriage and family ahead of herself for years. She’s set herself aside. Raising four children, she’s followed all the rules and has been patient in looking forward to her time to chase a dream of her own.

But when she finds out that her life savings for pursuing that dream is gone–and her husband, Roy, has been hiding a child with another woman–her entire world is shattered. Will she be able to listen to God and love Roy’s child? With so much at stake, how can she and Roy fix their relationship before their lives come crashing down?

Review:

The Englisch Daughter by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall  is a captivating novel of forgiveness, redemption and love.

Jemima Graber is an Old Order Amish wife and mother of four young children. Her husband Roy owns a horse farm and he spends long hours training and selling the horses. The previous year, a carriage accident left Roy and their oldest daughter Laura seriously injured. During the long days of worry and stress, Jemima’s unexpected pregnancy complications left the couple separated for a long stretch of time.  Following the birth of their son, Jemima and the children quickly settle back into life on the farm. But a distance remains between Jemima and Roy that she does not understand. When Jemima learns the shocking reason, will she ever forgive Roy for his heartrending betrayal?

Jemima and Roy’s marriage is, in many ways, a typical Amish marriage. Jemima tends to the children and household while Roy works hard and handles their finances.  There is, however, one difference that Roy accepts about his wife. Jemima has long dreamed of owning a food truck with her sister-in-law Abigail and they have saved for years to purchase a truck when one becomes available for purchase.  When the opportunity to fulfill their dream presents itself, Jemima is absolutely devastated when Roy makes a stunning confession. Reeling from the revelation, she is already hurt, angry and confused when the rest of the awful truth finally comes to light.

Jemima is so angry with Roy that is uncertain what the future holds for them.   She knows she is expected to forgive him, but his actions and its repercussions cut deep.  In the midst of this crisis, Jemima gradually realizes she harbors other resentments toward her husband. Once she fully understands the depth of Roy’s secrets and lies, can Jemima find it within her heart to forgive him?

Roy has been miserable for months but he goes to great lengths to hide the mess he finds himself in. He is angry and disappointed in himself and he knows the truth will break his wife’s heart. Roy wants nothing more than to salvage his marriage, but will he be able to do what Jemima asks of him?

In the midst of the turmoil with Roy and Jemima, Abigail is stunned by her attraction to newcomer Chris Fisher. She is independent and happy to remain unmarried but she cannot deny her interest in him.  An initial misunderstanding drives a wedge between them and just as they begin to move past it, Jemima is shocked to discover why Chris left his family home. However, once Chris decides what he wants for his future, will he convince Abigail give him another chance?

The Englisch Daughter is a thought-provoking novel that is heartfelt and engrossing. The characters are appealing and vibrantly brought to life with relatable stregnths, flaws and weaknesses. The storyline is engaging and well-developed with realistic issues that are complex and multi-layered.  Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall  bring this deeply affecting, faith based novel to a heartwarming, uplifting conclusion. Fans of Amish fiction are going to absolutely love this introspective story of healing and grace.

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Filed under Amish, Cindy Woodsmall, Contemporary, Erin Woodsmall, Rated B+, Review, WaterBrook, Women's Fiction