Book One in Cindy Woodsmall's newest series, Amish Vines and Orchards, is a book you won't want to put down until you have finished it.
In a community where conformity flourishes, seeds of Rhoda’s odd
behavior were planted long ago. Can she cultivate her relationships with
the same care and tenderness that she gives her beloved garden?Old
Order Amish Rhoda Byler’s unusual gift and her remarkable abilities to
grow herbs and berries have caused many to think her odd. As rumors
mount that Rhoda’s “gift” is a detriment to the community, she chooses
isolation, spending her time in her fruit garden and on her thriving
canning business.
Miles away in Harvest Mills, Samuel King
struggles to keep his family’s apple orchard profitable. As the eldest
son, Samuel farms with his brothers, the irrepressible Jacob and brash
Eli, while his longtime girlfriend Catherine remains hopeful that Samuel
will marry her when he feels financially stable.
Meanwhile,
Samuel’s younger sister Leah is testing all the boundaries during her
rumschpringe, and finds herself far from home in Rhoda’s garden after a
night of partying gone badly. But Leah’s poor choices serve as a bridge
between Rhoda and the King family when a tragic mistake in the orchard
leaves Samuel searching for solutions.
Rhoda’s expertise in canning
could be the answer, but she struggles with guilt over the tragic death
of her sister and doesn’t trust herself outside her garden walls. As the
lines between business, love, and family begin to blur, can Rhoda
finally open up to a new life? And what effect will this odd, amazing
woman have on the entire King family?
Ms. Woodsmall has found a wonderful way to bring two families together to help each other and just maybe find some love.
I loved the characters, I learned so much about apple orchards, and I completely lost myself in this book. My only complaint - I have to wait until next Spring for the next book!
Highly recommended.
Jody
My copy of this book was graciously provided by WaterBrook MultNomah for my honest review.
