I am typically not an Amish fan, but I did enjoy reading these novellas. They are quick and easy reads. Cindy Woodsmall did a great job at keeping the story line fun and interesting which made the book hard to put down. Without Beth, Mattie and Sadie each facing the hurt, disappointment, anger and fear in their lives, they would of missed out on relationships that were a great blessing in their lives. Fear, anger, resentment and hurt can cause us to miss out on some truly great blessings. Cindy Woodsmall did a great job in communicating these lessons through the stories of these three ladies in Apple Ridge.
Below you can read the first chapter.
About the Author:
Cindy Woodsmall is a
New York Times
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’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. In June of 2013, the
Wall Street Journal
listed Cindy as the second most popular author of Amish fiction,
following Beverly Lewis. - See more at:
http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/about-cindy/biography/#sthash.ZZXNDKPC.dpuf
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.
(--from Cindy's website)
You can visit the Cindy Woodsmall's website here.
Cindy Woodsmall is a
New York Times
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’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. In June of 2013, the
Wall Street Journal listed Cindy as the second most popular author of Amish fiction, following Beverly Lewis.
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 and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains in their now empty nest.
- See more at: http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/about-cindy/biography/#sthash.Vtx9IjEV.dpuf
Cindy Woodsmall is a
New York Times
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’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. In June of 2013, the
Wall Street Journal listed Cindy as the second most popular author of Amish fiction, following Beverly Lewis.
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 and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains in their now empty nest.
- See more at: http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/about-cindy/biography/#sthash.Vtx9IjEV.dpuf
Cindy Woodsmall is a
New York Times
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’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. In June of 2013, the
Wall Street Journal listed Cindy as the second most popular author of Amish fiction, following Beverly Lewis.
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 and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains in their now empty nest.
- See more at: http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/about-cindy/biography/#sthash.Vtx9IjEV.dpu
***I received this free book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Meet Nancy:
Nancy Moser is the best-selling author of more than twenty novels. She
is a winner and two-time nominee of the Christy Award, and her latest
novel was named to Booklist's "Top 10 Romance Novels of 2011." Nancy and
her husband have three grown children and three grandchildren, and they
live in the Midwest.
