THE CORNER BOOK BLOG

Monday, October 12, 2009

The Sound of Sleigh Bells

The giveaway book was won by Deborah M. Congratulations!!




The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall is the perfect book to read now as the weather is cooling down (well it is here in PA anyhow). The central character of the book is an Amish woman named Beth Hertzler. Beth is mourning the death of her fiance - but well past the normal mourning period - and harboring some guilt. Her family doesn't understand why she can't move on with her life and so they try different ways to get her to join the activities the family and community plans.

Beth works as a sort of go between for Amish craftsmen and "English" storeowners and customers. On one of her buying trips after taking an unexpected detour she finds a treasure in a small store. It's an intricate wood carving of Amish children playing in the snow. She falls in love with it but is afraid her bishop will find it to be too much of an idol to allow her to sell it.

Through some twists and turns she meets the carver and because very close to him. He has some issues of his own. Can they put their pasts behind them and move to the future they want together?

I have enjoyed Ms. Woodsmall's books for quite some time now. She writes from the knowledge gained by knowing the Amish personally. This book is a bit different from other Amish stories that I have read before. It examines some things not normally seen in Amish books. There is physical handicap - and I'm not sure why that isn't a topic in more Amish books. The Amish have a different view of handicaps than the world in general. Older people and people with handicaps, which sadly the "Englishers" tend to shy away from, are honored, cherished and protected in the Amish world. There's also another issue, which I won't reveal as it is a major plot point, but it is one that I have never read about in an Amish fiction book before.

If you haven't ever read Ms. Woodsmall's books, think in the lines of Beverly Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter - and pick up any book with Cindy Woodsmall's name on it.

You can follow this link to find information about purchasing your own copy:

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307446534

If you would like an opportunity to win a hardback copy of this lovely book - just leave a comment below (be sure to leave an email address so that I can contact you). I'll be picking a winner on Friday, October 16. This contest is open only to US residents and the odds of winning depend on the number of entries.

Jody

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

12 comments:

  1. This novel sounds like a good read! Please enter me for the giveaway!
    cdnovelist (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, please--enter me! Good stuff, this. WillisWay(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This book sounds wonderful! Please enter me in your drawing.

    debracollins(at)tds(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would love to win Cindy's book. I am so into Amish.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. sounds like a great book especially since its close to christmas

    ejxd95 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. This sounds like such a good book. I always love to read books about Christmas and this sounds so good. Please enter me in the drawing.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Enjoyed the review of Cindy's book, and would love to be entered in the giveaway. Thank you!
    I've read some of her books and enjoyed them very much.

    Blessings,
    Sandee

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  8. This book is already on my wish list and I'd love to win a copy! I really enjoy Christmas-themed books and start reading them early in the season because December is such a busy month. Thanks for the giveaway, Jody.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love Christmas books and would love to read this one. please enter me. Thank you!

    cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds like a sweet book. I'm ready for Christmas reading. Please enter me in the contest.
    Deborah M.
    debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  11. The Sound of Sleigh Bells sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.I love Christmas books. augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Our book club has chosen this book as our Book of the Month for November-I am so excited to read it. Please enter me in the drawing.
    dleathers36(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete