The Sound of Sleigh Bells
by Cindy Woodsmall
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 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.
Miriam Jacob
ANOINTED TO SERVE - Miriam Jacob 
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