Friday, October 25, 2013

The Dawn of Christmas By Cindy Woodsmall GIVEAWAY!



This Christmas, experience learning to trust alongside the Plain folk of Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania in this heart-warming tale of second chances.

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, CBA, ECPA, and USA Today best-selling author who has written a dozen (and counting!) works of fiction and one of nonfiction. She and her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud, coauthored the nonfiction, Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women. 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. In June of 2013, the Wall Street Journal listed Cindy as the second most popular author of Amish fiction, following Beverly Lewis.

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 and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains in their now empty nest.

If you'd like more information or to contact her, you can go to her website: http://www.cindywoodsmall.com or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorcindywoodsmall

This was such a sweet book of second chances. Cindy writes a great Amish romance. Amish, Christmas and romance, what is better, all in one book!
Once you start this book you can't put it down. This book was to short for me I wanted more.
I highly recommend this book. It can be read anytime not just at Christmas time.
If this book sounds familiar it's because it was one of the stories in Christmas in Apple Ridge.
I gave this book 5 stars.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.

21 comments:

  1. Thank you for such a wonderful article. I love Cindy's books!!!

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  2. Cindy is on my favorite author list! I love her books! Thanks for the great review Mary. I definitely want to read this book.

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  3. I have read this already I have the Christmas at Apple Ridge from when you reviewed it last year. Thanks for your sweet review.

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  4. This is a wonderful give away. Love to win this book.

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  5. I have been a fan of Cindy's books! I would love to meet her one day. Maybe she will plan a signing in the Shipshewana, Indiana area. I would definitely be there! I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks Mary for your review and giveaway. I just knew you would say it is a 5 star book!

    Blessings!
    Judy B

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  6. Oh, another wonderful review that makes me want to start reading! Sounds like another Christmas book I will love. Thank you, Mary, for the review and giveaway!

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  7. A wonderful review!! Would love to be able to read her book, I love them! Thanks!

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  8. You have done it again, like you always do, another great review, Mary! I love Christmas books! Thank you for the giveaway.

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  9. Mary, I am so glad that you said it was in the Christmas at Apple Ridge book because I have not read that one in a year, I had forgotten about the three stories in that book. That being said this is a wonderful story thank you for your review.

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  10. Great review, Mary! It's time to read the Christmas books!

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  11. Sounds like a great book! I always enjoy her stories.

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  12. I love Amish books. This one sounds really good from the review. Thanks for the giveaway and Good Luck everyone.

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  13. This book is on my Christmas read wish list. I have not read any of Cindy's books yet but do want to.

    Thank you or another great review Mary

    Cathy Weber
    Cdweber20@hotmail.com

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    1. Cathy, you are the WINNER! I will get your book right out to you! Congrats!

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  14. Fantastic review. I love Amish fiction. Cindy Woodsmall is an awesome author. This book sounds wonderful. Thank you for the chance of this giveaway and please enter my name.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. Cindy is my favorite author. Please enter my name in the hat for the drawing of her book. Thanks!!
    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. Amish Christmas books are the BEST! I love them!
    susanlulu@yahoo.om

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  17. I would dearly love to win this book, Mary

    lighthouse(dot)lover(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. If I could choose any book to win, THIS WOULD BE THE ONE! Love Cindy's books!

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  19. Thanks for another good review. Cindy is another of my favorites. Love her books. Please put my name in the drawing. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  20. Thanks for a wonderful review Mary.
    I Love Cindy's books!
    Cindy have a book signing please
    in or near Macon Georgia.
    I am usually there visiting family atleast
    twice a year.
    Keep up the wonderful writing!

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