Faith and love of family are exquisitely and artistically stitched into Ariana’s Brenneman’s beautiful patchwork quilt of life. But the Amish life Ariana loved with all her heart vanished when to her horror, she discovered that she was switched at birth two decades ago. Quill Schlabach is Ariana’s only link between the two Amish and Englisch worlds. There is only one question to be answered. Can he be trusted? Into this most unpredictable scenario enters Skylar Nash with one of two choices to make. Brand new ties link Ariana and Skylar together, as unparalleled wisdom and strength lead them to follow God’s guiding threads into the future He charts out for them.
WaterBrook & Multnomah, Pub Date 15 Aug 2017 ISBN: 9781601427038. Price: $14.99
After spending months away in the Englisch world, Ariana Brenneman is thrilled to be back in the Old Order Amish world but will her new mindset threaten to tear her family apart? Ariana’s hidden apprehension causes her to rebel against her Daed’s authority, who just cannot understand why his normally docile daughter is fighting with him. There is the dire possibility that seeds of unrest and rebellion might germinate to disturb the peace of the family. Ariana must find the true cords of love and understanding that bind a family and community together. Ariana is the Thread Gatherer. Life is like an antique heirloom quilt, split at the seams, with Ariana working on the frayed pieces, to remake the quilt and restore it to its original purpose once again. For Ariana, it is deeply satisfying to help people in need to start life afresh on a new footing. In doing so, she finally figures out who she is and what she wants in life. In the love of family, life is all about walking in love and finding one’s own identity and true place in life. Ariana finally finds her true purpose in life.
Imprint: WaterBrook & Multnomah, Publisher: Penguin Random House,
Hardcover: $14.99, Oct 6, 2009 | 208 Pages ISBN: 9780307446534
Ebook: $9.99, Oct 6, 2009 | ISBN: 9780307458353
PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS –
This is a captivating story of two guarded hearts , the letters that unlock their secrets, and the surprise of healing grace.
Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé.
When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work – including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving.
Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art.
But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?
About Cindy Woodsmall
CINDY WOODSMALL
Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times and CBA bestselling author of numerous works of fiction and one of nonfiction. Her connection with the Amish community has been featured widely in national media. She lives in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains with her family.
REVIEW BY MIRIAM JACOB
Cindy Woodsmall is a favorite Amish Fiction author with such a gentle touch that she authentically captures the hearts of her characters. Cindy skillfully intertwines simple Amish life with the strength of loving the Lord. In “The Sound of Sleigh Bells”, Lizzy Hertzler delicately unveils the bitter heartache and turmoil her niece, Beth suffered after enduring deep personal tragedy. Beth, still in mourning and unable to move past her deep wounds, cuts herself off from any hope of happiness. No one goes through life unscathed, and Lizzy would do anything to see her niece healed, even risking Beth’s wrath to do so. Jonah, a gifted carver, holding the answer to Beth’s hurtful past and happy future in his hands, pursues a relationship with Beth to prove his heartfelt desire for Beth’s healing. God cares even more deeply for our happiness. He pours out His mercy, grace and love in unimaginable ways. As a result, we experience immeasurably enriched lives.
Amish customs, with a time for every season, permit a period of grieving, but Beth Hertzler, emotionally crippled by grief, could not move on. Life gave her a blow so great that it couldn’t be shared with anyone. One day, an exquisitely carved artwork on a shelf deeply moves Beth, striking a chord in her aching heart, too deep for words. The artist, Jonah, who suffered bitter blows in life, poignantly says, “…..some things in life are just that way. They demand more of you than you have, and even knowing you’ll lose, you have to attempt it anyway. Everyone is damaged one way or another …..some people’s scars you can see because they are on the outside….., others you can’t see because they are hidden within!” This captivating story of the healing and unconditional love of two closely guarded hearts touches us like few others can. Most of the storyline lies in Jonah’s letters, which hold the key to unlock Beth’s heart.
In “The Sound of Sleigh Bells”, Cindy Woodsmall portrays the uniquely personal struggles and deep conflicting emotions of her characters with passionate honesty. Past sorrowful circumstances kept Beth and Jonah unmarried. Their first meeting attracts both of them, but Beth’s buries her feelings, unwilling to get into a new relationship. Two baffling questions must be resolved before Beth and Jonah can move on in life. Can Beth ever overcome the devastating secrets that painfully control her life? Will Jonah ever get emotional healing from a devastating accident? The Sound of Sleigh Bells is a warm, tender and deeply passionate story with a unique theme of forgiveness and restoration that warms your heart like no other. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to get to the heart of true love, to find deep and lasting satisfaction.
ANOINTED TO SERVE - Miriam Jacob 
You must be logged in to post a comment.