I don't normally start reading with the last book of a trilogy or in the middle of a series because I like to enter the characters' world at the beginning. I made an exception for When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall. This delightful book is the third in the Sisters of the Quilt series.

As the story unfolded I felt like sufficient background was supplied so that I was brought up to speed with the storyline. Yet, I didn't think the redundancy was so heavy that faithful readers would believe the author was wasting time reiterating material. As a newcomer, it took me a chapter or two to get comfortable in the book but I didn't feel handicapped by not having read the other two novels. In fact, I now am yearning to locate the two predecessors to this novel!

In When the Soul Mends, the reader is ensconced in the world of the Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish. The Plain life is faithfully portrayed by Cindy Woodsmall as she concludes the story of Hannah Lapp, a young woman ostracized from the community in which she was raised.

Hannah returns at the behest of her sister and is forced to face the lifestyle and loved ones that she left behind nearly two years earlier. It is a time of discovery, on many levels, and she finds herself torn between the Englischer world and the Plain life.

~ Author Information ~

Cindy Woodsmall is a best-selling author, who has garnered strong praise for the first two novels in the Sisters of the Quilt series. When the Heart Cries was a finalist for the ECPA Novel of the Year in 2007 and received the Reviewer’s Choice Award from the Road to Romance website. When the Morning Comes was named among the Best Books of 2007 for Crossings Book Club. Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty years.

If you like novels with an Amish flavor then you will definitely enjoy this book. This was my first fictional journey into their world and I was immediately intrigued by this old-fashioned, alternate lifestyle that coexists within modern-day America. I appreciated the way in which the author resolved the conflict within this novel. I'm not sure how to properly phrase this, but I was pleasantly surprised that honor remained intact while allowing for growth in the characters. This fact alone is proof positive that salacious content is not necessary for a novel to land on the New York Times Bestseller list.

I would definitely recommend this as a great book to while away the hours during these long winter nights. In fact, you can grab a copy of the book for yourself by participating in my blog contest!

~ Book Giveaway Information ~

I have one copy of When the Soul Mends to give away. To play, simply leave a comment on this blog recommending a good book you've recently read. Comments will close on December 11th and the winner will be announced on the 12^th.

~ Purchase When the Soul Mends ~