Monday, August 3, 2009

Book Review, The Hope of Refuge

Another book review. As usual, you will see what the Publishers gave me to print, and under that you will see "MY TAKE".


First off...please click the link below with Cindy Woodsmalls interview with ABC, it was great!!

The link below will get you to the catalog to find out how you can order this book.

Book: The Hope of Refuge
Author: Cindy Woodsmall
Summary:
Raised in foster care and now the widowed mother of a little girl, Cara Moore struggles against poverty, fear, and a relentless stalker. When a trail of memories leads Cara and Lori out of New York City toward an Amish community, she follows every lead, eager for answers and a fresh start. She discovers that long-held secrets about her family history ripple beneath the surface of Dry Lake, Pennsylvania, and it’s no place for an outsider. But one Amish man, Ephraim Mast, dares to fulfill the command he believes that he received from God–“Be me to her”– despite how it threatens his way of life. Completely opposite of the hard, untrusting Cara, Ephraim’s sister Deborah also finds her dreams crumbling when the man she has pledged to build a life with begins withdrawing from Deborah and his community, including his mother, Ada Stoltzfus. Can the run-down house that Ada envisions transforming unite them toward a common purpose–or push Mahlon away forever? While Ephraim is trying to do what he believes is right, will he be shunned and lose everything–including the guarded single mother who simply longs for a better life?
Author Bio:
Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and The New York Times Best-Seller When the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years.
MY TAKE:
As someone who really enjoys reading Beverly Lewis Amish books, I had a hard time knowing if I would like this one as well. The truth is, YES! I LOVED IT! I honestly didn't think I could like someones Amish writing as well as I liked Beverly Lewis, but Cindy Woodsmall has done it for me! I plan on going out and buying her first Amish series. The Amish life fascinates me. Maybe because my dad was raised Mennonite which is a simple stones throw away from the Amish life. My grandma was very strict in her way of life, and the Amish are even stricter. I often wondered what it would be like to go back to the Amish life for awhile. Once while reading a Beverly Lewis book I ran across my maiden name, Stutzman, and was hooked ever since on Amish novels. Anyway...this book has everything, romance, culture, mystery, heart tugging, a bit of fear, everything! I couldn't put the book down! I was up past 12:30 am everynight while reading it...and even then, thoroughly exhausted, I had a hard time putting it down. Definitely best seller material. I would HIGHLY suggest going out and getting this one!!

AND....if you comment about this book in my blog by the 8th of August, you will have a chance to win a copy of your own!!!!!!
New York Times bestselling author Cindy Woodsmall is on tour, and she may be coming to a city near you!
Don’t miss your opportunity to meet Cindy and have her sign her newest title The Hope of Refuge at one of the following events.
Tuesday, August 11 7 – 8:30pm
Barnes & Noble
5141 Peachtree Parkway, The Forum Norcross, Georgia 30092(770) 209-4244

Wednesday, August 12 7 – 8pm
Barnes & Noble Opry Mills
515 Opry Mills Drive Nashville, Tennessee 37214(615) 514-5000

Thursday, August 13 6 – 8pm
Barnes & Noble
2540 Futura Pkwy. #135 Plainfield, Indiana 46168(317) 838-7941

Friday, August 14 6 – 8pm
Barnes & Noble
1550 West 75thDowners Grove, Illinois 60516(630) 663-0181

Saturday, August 15 1 – 3pm
Baker Books
2768 East Paris Ave SE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546-6139(616) 957-3110

Sunday, August 16 2 – 4pm
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
3700 Rivertown Parkway Ste. 2058 Grandville, Michigan 49418(616) 531-1825

Monday, August 17 7 – 8:00pm
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
1739 Olentangy River Road Columbus, Ohio 43212(614) 298-9516

Tuesday, August 18 7– 8:30pm
Joseph Beth Booksellers
2705 E. Carson Street Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203(412) 381-3600

Wednesday, August 19 6 – 8pm
Hackman’s Bible Book Store
1341 Mickley Road Whitehall, Pennsylvania 18052-4610(610) 264-8600

Thursday, August 20 1 – 3pm
Rachel’s Country Store (Amish dry goods store)
6352 McClays Mill Road Newburg, Pennsylvania 17240(717) 530-9452

Can’t make the tour? You can still follow Cindy’s adventures on Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter. See you there!

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