Living in the Amish community isn't easy. Especially when you have a disfigurement that is so apparent, people can't seem to notice it when looking at you. No matter how hard you try to hide it, its no use.
Lena Kauffman is a young Old Order Amish schoolteacher who has dealt all her life with attention raised by a noticeable birthmark on her cheek. Having learned to move past the stares and whispers, Lena channels her zest for living into her love of teaching. But tensions mount as she is challenged to work with a rebellious young man, named Peter, whose only goal is to finish school no matter what the cost.
Lena has to deal with several crises at the schoolhouse that threaten her other students. Her lack of submission and use of ideas that don't line up with the Old Ways strengthen the school board's case as they begin to believe that Lena is behind all the trouble.
One member of the school board, Grey Graber, feels trapped by his own stifling circumstances. His wife, Elsie, has shut him out of her life, and he doesn't know how long he can continue to live as if nothing is wrong. As the two finally come to a place of working toward a better marriage, tragedy befalls their family.
Lena and Grey have been life-long friends, but their relationship begins to crumble amidst unsettling deceptions, propelling each of them to finally face their own secrets. Can they both find a way past their losses and discover the strength to build a new bridge?
This novel, A Bridge of Peace, by Cindy Woodsmall, is a great Amish story with a difference. This time it isn't so much about falling in love in the Amish community but more with how does the Amish community cope when they don't care for the newest school teacher that comes with Public School ways of teaching. Or even how does one rebuild your life and marriage when its finally reached an end of no hope? What happens when a wife finds herself abandoned by her Amish husband and left with no way to make a living in a failing bakery business when everything around her home is falling apart, including her horse that has become lame due to her own neglect?
This novel is about finding hope in the hopeless situations? That no matter how tragic the loss in your life is, there is always God and the restoration possibilities that await when we return to Him for the solution. I absolutely adored this book. I got a deeper understanding of the Old Order ways of the Amish lifestyle as well as how someone outside the community is treated. I would rate this amazing book a 5 out of 5 stars and would highly recommend this book to anyone in need of recharging their faith and hope.
I received this book, compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. For more information about the book, the author and even a first chapter sneak peek, then read on:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
She was also a homeschool mom. 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.
Her first novel released in 2006 to much acclaim and became a best seller. Cindy was a 2007 ECPA award finalist, along with Karen Kingsbury, Angela Hunt, and Charles Martin.
Her second book, When the Morning Comes, hit numerous best-sellers lists across the US, including edging into the extended list of the New York Times, coming in at number thirty-four.
Her third book, When the Soul Mends, hit the New York Times best-sellers list, coming in at number thirteen, as well as making the USA Today’s best-sellers list.
Cindy continues to write and release best-selling works of fiction, and she’s also written a nonfiction work with an Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. The book is titled Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women. It will release March 11, 2011.
Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity.
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.
Cindy, her husband, their three sons and two daughters-in-law reside in Georgia.
Here's a wonderful contest to enter:
Win a "Trip To Amish Country"...contest opens August 31st -December 31st...go HERE to enter!
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Bridge of Peace, go HERE.
Hi, Kat~
ReplyDeleteI am an avid reader of Christian fiction and the Amish, so this book is something I will definitely be reading!
Blessings~
Laura