The Bridge of Peace: Book Review

The Bridge of Peace (Ada's House, Book 2)

The Bridge of Peace (Ada's House, Book 2) has a lot of different stories, stories that are connected in that they all involve neighbors, but stories which seem to have little to do with each other.  It is book two in a series, and while it does stand on its own, there were things that made me wish I still had my copy of The Hope of Refuge (Ada's House Series, Book 1) (My review) so I could figure out who these people were, or why they were in the story.

The main story is about Lena, an Amish spinster school teacher.  She has a large birthmark on her face, and has always thought that was why the boys weren't interested.  As a teen, her way of rebelling was to go to public high school.  Now she is the teacher in an Amish school and loves her students and her job.  The story focuses on her relationship with a troubled student and with a neighborhood man with whom she has been friends since childhood.  There is also someone out to get her, but it is never clear why.

Cara from The Hope of Refuge continues to struggle between the Amish and English worlds, while her daughter is more Amish than she is. Deborah is getting used to life without her long-time beau.  Ada's bakery has growing pains.  Still, if you didn't read The Hope of Refuge you might wonder why these characters are part of the book.

Despite these problems, I found it an engaging read.  I've started reading books on the treadmill and I'm considering a new rating system.  I can read about 50 pages in 30 minutes.  I am committed to walking 30 minutes per night; I'm also committed to only reading treadmill books on the treadmill.  In other words,  if a book really engages me, I'm likely to spend more than 30 minutes on the treadmill.  This book kept be going for close to an hour on two nights and over an hour on another.   The characters are human, the story (except the one about the guy who was out to get her) was realistic and the depictions of the Amish were favorable.  Grade:  B

I'd like to thank the publisher for providing a complimentary review copy.   You can see other reviews here.  

The Sound of Sleigh Bells: My Review

Have you ever had an internet friend, someone you've never met "IRL" but with whom you have exchanged emails, message board posts or blog comments? Have you ever talked to someone on the phone on a business capacity over a long period of time, and developed a picture of that person in your mind, but, when you met, found that you were all wrong? In a very general way, that experience is what happens in this book.

Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.

Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?

I enjoyed this short novel, which has a heartwarming climax on Christmas. While I wouldn't classify it as one of Woodsmall's best works, it was pleasant afternoon diversion. The pen pal angle was kind of interesting, but basically the book was a sweet predictable romance--but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

To purchase on Amazon:The Sound of Sleigh Bells

Author's Webpage.
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.