Monday, October 29, 2012

Christmas in Apple Ridge By Cindy Woodsmall Giveaway!

Experience the holidays with the Plain folk of Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania, in these touching novellas centered around love, romance, heartache, and restoration from best-selling author Cindy Woodsmall.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells
Beth Hertzler is unable to let go of a past tragedy, but when she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds. Determined that her niece meet the gifted artist, her aunt tracks him down, but it’s not that simple – will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love?
 
The Christmas Singing
Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve. Brokenhearted, Mattie moves away and pursues her longtime dream of becoming a cake decorator, and even finds a new beau. But when Mattie is forced to return home three years later, will learning the truth behind Gideon’s rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?
  
The Dawn of Christmas
Sadie enjoys her freedom away from home and her mission trips to Peru, but after four years, her Old Order Amish family insists it’s time to come home and settle down. Levi, a bachelor who distrusts women after a family heartbreak, also has no desire for romance. To keep their families from meddling in their lives, Sadie and Levi devise a plan—but soon discover that the walls around their hearts are breaking down. Can they let go of their prejudices, learn to trust each other, and embrace a future together?
 
Pick up your copy here
 
Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author who has written seven novels, four novellas, and Plain Wisdom, a work of nonfiction coauthored with her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. Cindy has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life.

She's a veteran homeschool mom who no longer holds that position. 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 as she aimed for what seemed impossible.

She's won Fiction Book of the Year, Reviewer's Choice Awards, Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest, as well as one of Crossings' Best Books of the Year. She's been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards.

Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Though she didn't realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began preparing Cindy to write these books. At the age of ten, while living in the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a Plain Mennonite girl. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore the prayer Kapp and cape dresses. Her parents didn't allow television or radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. During the numerous times Luann came to Cindy's house to spend the night, her rules came with her and the two were careful to obey them--afraid that if they didn't, the adults would end their friendship. Although the rules were much easier to keep when they spent the night at Luann's because her family didn't own any of the forbidden items, both sets of parents were uncomfortable with the relationship and a small infraction of any kind would have been enough reason for the parents to end the relationship. While navigating around the adults' disapproval and the obstacles in each other's lifestyle, the two girls bonded in true friendship that lasted into their teen years, until Cindy's family moved to another region of the US.

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. Over the years Cindy has continued to make wonderful friendships with those inside the Amish and Mennonite communities--from the most conservative ones to the most liberal.

Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband, three sons, two daughters-in-law, and a new granddaughter.
Just to let you know this book is 3 novellas and the first two novellas came out in 2009 and 2011 in hard back and both of them were great. As with all of Cindy's books I already had these two.  This book Christmas in Apple Ridge has a new novella The Dawn of Christmas I just has to have it so that I could enjoy the new novella. You are going to fall in love with Sadie and Levi and cheer them both on. I think it was the best of the three. But with all of Cindy's books you are going to find you can't put this book down. The stories and characters are all connected so it will all make since and you will love all three of them.
There are recipes at the end of two of the novellas, and they sound very good!
 
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher

21 comments:

  1. i'm intrigued by the storyline & the Christmas Eve impact.. having a father that was from old order mennonite, this author sounds like a perfect fit for me :)) TY for the generous offer...

    i follow gfc Mary ~

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  2. @_eHope tweeted but I'm wondering when the end date is on this ?
    https://twitter.com/_eHope/status/262983629200846848

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  3. Sounds like an amazing book. I have to admit, I haven't read any of Cindy's books yet. I did get interest when I saw her on a show about Amish on TV. She was so respectful to the Amish as well as the young lady involved. I missed further segments so dint find out what the girl decided. I would love to have this book. Thanks for the great review!

    Cathy Weber
    Cdweber20@hotmail.com

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  4. Again you are amazing with your great and detailed reviews this would make a great Christmas gift.GREAT review Mary!!!

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  5. Really great review. I would love to have this book.

    Lourdes11743[at]gmail[dot]com

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  6. 3 books in one how COOL !! Would LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE to WIN !! Thank you ,Dana "Girl "

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  7. Mary you have done it again great review one that Id sure buy !A win would be awsome too!

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  8. I so want to win this, it lopks awesome

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  9. I want to win. I love Cindy's books. Sharma Darby rdarby@roadrunner.com

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  10. This was a great review Mary Id sure like to win this one.

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    1. Bonnie, You are the winner! E-mail me your mailing address themaryreader@yahoo.com

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    2. Bonnie, Congrats!

      Blessings!
      Judy

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  11. The book sounds really good hope I can win!!!
    joeym11@frontier.com

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  12. I haven't read Cindy Christmas books, so I'd really love to win a copy of Christmas in Apple Ridge. Each of her stories sounds wonderful! Thanks for a great review, Mary!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  13. Great review, and am anxcious to read this book, and or newest books, ;-) Thanks for the chance!!!

    rosiej1942@yahoo.com

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  14. I love Cindy's books. Winning a copy of Christmas in Apple Ridge would be wonderful!

    Blessings!
    Judy

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  15. Cindy's books are great.I would love to win this.Thanks

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  16. Awesome giveaway. I love Cindy's books. I look forward to reading these Novella's. You gave a wonderful review. Angie in Illinois, angadair at nwcable dot net

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  17. I love Cindy. She is a great author. I'm always ready for one of her books. I love that the Christmas books usually come out in HB, but guessing this one to be paperback, right? Still, would love to win it. Thanks for the review. Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

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  18. This is another great book that I would love to win. Winning this book would so wonderful.

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  19. more Christmas books! sounds perfect.

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