The Christmas Singing

My review of "The Christmas Singing"

by Cindy Woodsmall

 

             Mattie Lane (Gideon's special nickname for her) has dated Gideon Bieler and they plan to get married, but she goes to see him on Christmas to take a gift (a special cake she has baked for him and a love letter) and discovers him in the arms of an English girl!!   She demands an explanation and he tells her they need to see other people.  So she leaves the family she loves in Apple Ridge and her sick, elderly mamm to move to Ohio to live with her brother.  Her brother helps her to establish a bakery for her cakes and she finds a new boyfriend there in Sol.   She is enjoying Amish life in Ohio and talks to her mamm every day by telephone (Mamm has one in a shed outside).  

             Sol loves to hunt and spends a great deal of time doing just that.   He is very quiet but he is honest and Mattie likes that as she feels that Gideon was dishonest with her.   Dating English girls...how could he?   Tragedy strikes though, and Gideon's heart is torn.  He runs to her, but she is heavily drugged and doesn't remember him being there.  When she returns home to Apple Ridge, will they ever find their way back to each other?  Will the truth ever come out?  You must read this book to find out! 

             I enjoy cake decorating myself, so I enjoyed that aspect of this Amish fiction work.  I also have read many of Cindy Woodsmall's other books, and was pleasantly surprised to find some beloved characters from her other books in this one.  Twins, Roman and Aden, and their restaurant are featured in The Christmas Singing. You will also find them in one of her other books:  The Scent of Cherry Blossoms. In fact, Aden and his artwork play a lovely part in the book, but I won't reveal too much as I don't wish to spoil it for you, the potential reader!   You'll get to enjoy the fun of Amish weddings in this one as well as a few characters need wedding cakes for their special day.    As it is Christmas time, you'll have singings and snow to enjoy as well.  

            I highly recommend this book to readers.    I finished it in just a couple of evenings as I just could not put the book down.    I do not think you will be disappointed either.  There are some great recipes from Amish cookbook author, Sherry Gore, in the back of the book too--an added bonus!! 

About the Author

Cindy Woodsmall has written several best-selling works of Amish fiction.  She has also written a non-fiction, Plain Wisdom, along with her Amish friend.  She travels to Amish neighborhoods to research for her books and seeks answers to her "Amish" questions from trusted Amish friends to make her books authentic.  

To read the first chapter of the book:  



http://www.scribd.com/doc/69473983/The-Christmas-Singing-Chapter-1-Excerpt

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multonamah publishing in exchange for my honest review of book.