©picture by scribbles (Marye McKenney)

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Seasons of Tomorrow

Cindy Woodsmall has completed her Amish Vines and Orchards Series with Seasons of Tomorrow, and it was such a satisfying novel. I have wept and laughed and been aghast all the way through this series. There are times I get angry with the characters or with seeming injustice, times I laugh out loud at some of the things that happen, times I cry when something goes so horribly wrong and there seems to be no remedy, times I breathe deep sighs of relief, and times I shake my head with incredulity. Cindy writes to cover a gamut of emotions and keeps the reader involved in an almost personal way. All of the ends that have been left hanging are tied up neatly and with great satisfaction.

Rhoda and Samuel continue to work the Maine orchard, they seem to have weathered the storms life has thrown at them. At the same time, Samuel's sister, Leah, is creating a couple of storms on her own in her courtship with Rhoda's Englisch assistant, Landon. Steven and Phoebe are expecting their third child, but illness disables Phoebe to the point her life may be at stake, as well as the life of her unborn child. Jacob is working with his uncle Mervin doing construction, and meets an intriguing woman named Esther who likes to do salvage and restoration work. It gives her great peace to take something old and make it new and useful again. And, it supports her home for unwed mothers and gives them a place of refuge.

One of the funniest parts of the book is when Rhoda is trying to cook a casserole and the dogs wouldn't even eat it. She is notorious for her cooking disasters, yet extremely competent and creative in her canning endeavors.

Cindy has a gift for telling a story and leaving nothing out--every end is tied up, and nothing is left hanging. It was a privilege and a pleasure to read her final installment in this series. I almost didn't want it to end. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a special apple salsa.

Find Cindy here on Facebook too!

No comments:

Post a Comment