About The Hope of Refuge:Raised in foster care and now the widowed mother of a little girl, Cara Moore struggles against poverty, fear, and a relentless stalker. When a trail of memories leads Cara and Lori out of New York City toward an Amish community, she follows every lead, eager for answers and a fresh start. She discovers that long-held secrets about her family history ripple beneath the surface of Dry Lake , Pennsylvania , and it’s no place for an outsider. But one Amish man, Ephraim Mast, dares to fulfill the command he believes that he received from God–“Be me to her”– despite how it threatens his way of life.
Completely opposite of the hard, untrusting Cara, Ephraim’s sister Deborah also finds her dreams crumbling when the man she has pledged to build a life with begins withdrawing from Deborah and his community, including his mother, Ada Stoltzfus. Can the run-down house that Ada envisions transforming unite them toward a common purpose–or push Mahlon away forever? While Ephraim is trying to do what he believes is right, will he be shunned and lose everything–including the guarded single mother who simply longs for a better life?
About Cindy Woodsmall:
Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and The New York Times Best-Seller When the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years.
View Cindy's interview on Nightline about Amish Fiction.
My Thoughts:
This is the first of Cindy Woodsmall's books that I have read, and I really enjoyed it. She does a wonderful job portraying the tough and trying past of her main character, Cara, and the wisdom and compassion, as well as the strict adherence to the Old Order ways, of the Amish community. Cara and Ephraim's struggles are apparent as she ponders trading one not so easy life for another, and he struggles to demonstrate God's love to Cara while doing his best to adhere to the black and white set of rules put in place by the Amish. This was a very engrossing story, and with the additional supporting characters of Lori, Ada, and Deborah, I had a tough time putting it down. Cindy also gives us enough additional storyline on what will seemingly be another installment in her new Ada's House series. I know I'll be looking forward to it.
Would you like a chance to win a copy of this book?
I have the privilege of giving away one copy of The Hope of Refuge, thanks to Waterbrook/Multnomah. If you'd like to win and you're a US resident, please leave a comment that INCLUDES YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION (you at yoohoo dot com) by midnight Sunday (August 9th, 2009), and I will announce/contact the winner on August 10th.
New York Times bestselling author Cindy Woodsmall is on tour, and she may be coming to a city near you! Don’t miss your opportunity to meet Cindy and have her sign her newest title The Hope of Refuge at one of the following events.
Tuesday, August 11 7 – 8:30pm
Barnes & Noble
5141 Peachtree Parkway, The Forum
Norcross , Georgia 30092
(770) 209-4244
Wednesday, August 12 7 – 8pm
Barnes & Noble Opry Mills
515 Opry Mills Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37214
(615) 514-5000
Thursday, August 13 6 – 8pm
Barnes & Noble
2540 Futura Pkwy. #135
Plainfield , Indiana 46168
(317) 838-7941
Friday, August 14 6 – 8pm
Barnes & Noble
1550 West 75th
Downers Grove , Illinois 60516
(630) 663-0181
Saturday, August 15 1 – 3pm
Baker Books
2768 East Paris Ave SE
Grand Rapids , Michigan 49546-6139
(616) 957-3110
Sunday, August 16 2 – 4pm
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
3700 Rivertown Parkway Ste. 2058
Grandville, Michigan 49418
(616) 531-1825
Monday, August 17 7 – 8:00pm
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
1739 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio 43212
(614) 298-9516
Tuesday, August 18 7– 8:30pm
Joseph Beth Booksellers
2705 E. Carson Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203
(412) 381-3600
Wednesday, August 19 6 – 8pm
Hackman’s Bible Book Store
1341 Mickley Road
Whitehall, Pennsylvania 18052-4610
(610) 264-8600
Thursday, August 20 1 – 3pm
Rachel’s Country Store (Amish dry goods store)
6352 McClays Mill Road
Newburg, Pennsylvania 17240
(717) 530-9452
Can’t make the tour? You can still follow Cindy’s adventures on Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter. See you there!
13 comments:
I AM A LOVER OF AMISH BOOKS! I've not read anything by Cindy as of yet. Would love to see her writing style. I do know she has first-hand knowledge of the Amish. So I'm sure her books would be great! Please do enter me. Thanks.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
Enter me in the drawing. Her books are the only Amish ones I have read and liked. spowell01(at)bellsouth>(dot)net
I have a friend who LOVES Amish books! It would be great if I could win this book for her.
Thank you,
sugarandgrits[at]hotmail.com
Please enter me in the drawing! I have enjoyed her books in the past, which is amazing for me as I do not like Amish genre usually~
martha(at)lcink(dot)com
Sounds like a wonderful book. Would love to be entered in the drawing. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm so excited that she's coming to Pittsburgh! I never see authors that I like around the area where I live...how exciting! I'll have to see if I can get a group together and head out! I'd love to win this book!
steelergirl83(at)gmail(dot)com
I'd love a chance to win The Hope of Refuge. I've enjoyed Cindy's well written books. Thanks!
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com
This sounds so wonderful especially since I love Amish ficition. I already MUST know what happens to these two women and the child. *smile*
Gayla Collins
gayla@bresnan.net
Hey Jenny;
Just wanted to say that I LOVE Cindys' books too they are SO different--I totally enjoyed the last series and I think I will feel the same way about this series.
I've read Hope of Refuge and LOVED IT!!
Blessings to you. Just wanted to stop by and say Hi!!
Sincerely,
Nora St. Laurent
Finding Hope Through Fiction
www.psalm516.blogspot.com
I have read some Amish books and am fascinated with the Amish people. Would love to win a copy of this book.
Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
I'd love to be entered in your giveaway. I really enjoy Amish fiction. I live in a tiny rural town with alot of Amish neighbors and find them friendly, and fascinating. Thank you!
Blessings,
Sandy
Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com
I would love to win a copy of this book. Please enter me in the contest. My email address is shryackmom[@]charter[.]net
Good to see so many lovers of Amish fiction. Thank you all for stopping by. I'm running a bit behind today...getting ready to post the winner.
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