NOTE: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah for this review. This is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by WaterBrook or the author.
Book Description: The tornado that devastated Kings’ Orchard pushed Rhoda, Samuel, and Jacob to make a new start in Maine. Are they strong enough to withstand the challenges of establishing an Amish community—and brave enough to face the secrets that move with them?
On the eve of their departure to begin a new Old Order Amish community outside of Unity, Maine, Rhoda Byler is shocked to discover that choices made by her business partner and friend, Samuel King, have placed her and her unusual gifts directly into the path of her district’s bishop and preachers. She is furious with Samuel and is fearful that the Kings will be influenced by the way her leaders see her, and not what they know to be true—that Rhoda’s intuition is a gift from God.
Jacob King won’t be swayed by community speculation. He loves Rhoda, believes in her, and wants to build a future with her in Maine. But when the ghosts of his past come calling and require him to fulfill a great debt, can he shake their hold before it destroys what he has with Rhoda? Samuel has a secret of his own—one he’ll go to great lengths to keep hidden, even if it means alienating those closest to him. Throwing himself into rehabilitating the once-abandoned orchard, Samuel turns to a surprising new ally.
Book 2 of the Amish Vines and Orchards series asks: can the three faithfully follow God’s leading and build a new home and orchard in Maine? Or will this new beginning lead to more ruin and heartbreak?
Review: I only recently discovered Amish fiction and instantly liked the genre. It's a refreshing change from the often overdone storylines in many other books, with an emphasis on what's most important in life: faith, love, and family. That's especially true in the case of the second installment in Cindy Woodsmall's Amish Vines and Orchards series, where those particular themes play heavily into the story. With most Amish stories there's a relaxed pacing, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but they don't usually have you on the edge of your seat. That's where The Winnowing Season differs. Once I started reading I couldn't bring myself to put the book down! I liked everything about this book: the story, the scenery, the voice, the characters, their strong points, and their faults. By the end of the book I felt like every character was a friend of mine and saying goodbye to them as I turned the last page was almost painful. And I've never been left with such an irresistible cliffhanger before! Unfortunately for me, I didn't get a chance to read the first book in the series, A Season for Tending. I was nervous that this would seriously impact the story and my understanding of the second book, but luckily that wasn't the case. The Winnowing Season can easily stand on its own. Not that you'll want to miss the first book. If it's as good as the second, it's definitely worth reading!
Jessa's Rating: 5 stars out of 5
About The Author: Cindy Woodsmall is a best-selling author of numerous works of fiction and non-fiction book Plain Wisdom whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline, in the Wall Street Journal, and throughout other Christian and general news outlets. She lives outside of Atlanta with her family. Visit the author's website HERE and be sure to become a fan on FB HERE.
Want to read The Winnowing Season by Cindy Woodsmall? Get your copy HERE or HERE. You can also read an excerpt, reviews, and find the latest news about the book HERE.
Note: This post originally appeared at Once Upon A Book HERE on April 29th, 2013.
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