ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
She was also a homeschool mom. 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.
Her first novel released in 2006 to much acclaim and became a best seller. Cindy was a 2007 ECPA award finalist, along with Karen Kingsbury, Angela Hunt, and Charles Martin.
Her second book, When the Morning Comes, hit numerous best-sellers lists across the US, including edging into the extended list of the New York Times, coming in at number thirty-four.
Her third book, When the Soul Mends, hit the New York Times best-sellers list, coming in at number thirteen, as well as making the USA Today’s best-sellers list.
Cindy continues to write and release best-selling works of fiction, and she’s also written a nonfiction work with an Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. The book is titled Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women. It will release March 11, 2011.
Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity.
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.
Cindy, her husband, their three sons and two daughters-in-law reside in Georgia.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Love alone isn’t enough to overcome some obstacles.
Lena Kauffman is a young Old Order Amish schoolteacher who has dealt all her life with attention raised by a noticeable birthmark on her cheek. Having learned to move past the stares and whispers, Lena channels her zest for living into her love of teaching. But tensions mount as she is challenged to work with a rebellious young man and deal with several crises at the schoolhouse that threaten her other students. Her lack of submission and use of ideas that don’t line up with the Old Ways strengthen the school board’s case as they begin to believe that Lena is behind all the trouble.
One member of the school board, Grey Graber, feels trapped by his own stifling circumstances. His wife, Elsie, has shut him out of her life, and he doesn’t know how long he can continue to live as if nothing is wrong. As the two finally come to a place of working toward a better marriage, tragedy befalls their family.
Lena and Grey have been life-long friends, but their relationship begins to crumble amidst unsettling deceptions, propelling each of them to finally face their own secrets. Can they both find a way past their losses and discover the strength to build a new bridge?
Win a "Trip To Amish Country"...contest opens August 31st -December 31st...go HERE to enter!
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Bridge of Peace, go HERE.
MY THOUGHTS
No one writes Amish fiction like Cindy Woodsmall. She has once again set the bar high with this latest novel. The emotions experienced by those within the story are palpable without being overdone. Her characters are real and flawed and immensely likeable--well, except for the difficult ones! I did want to wring a few necks! Lena and Grey immediately worked their way into my heart. I ached for Lena as she struggled with her appearance and the taunting and strange looks she has received ever since childhood, a reminder that such struggles are universal no matter the environment. And Grey's heartache in his marriage also transcends cultural and religious lines and underscores the importance of honest communication in all relationships. I also enjoyed a peek into the lives of Cara and Ephraim, whose story was told in The Hope of Refuge the first book of this Ada's House series. (See my review here.) This was one of those books that I hated to finish. I can't wait to see what is in store for this community as this series continues.
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2 comments:
So many books -- so little time!
Oh Linda, I'm sooooo close to finishing this book that I had to put it down because I'm not ready for it to end. (I know that makes absolutely no sense except to me!)Cindy weaves so much emotion into her stories...sigh...
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