The Sound of Sleigh Bells

The Sound of Sleigh Bells
Written by Cindy Woodsmall
Published at Waterbrook

About the book
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 or deem it idolatry.

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?

Who is Cindy Woodsmall?
Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and the New York times bestseller 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 son and two daughter-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of more than thirty years.

My thoughts
This book is definitively a must have this winter for any lovers of Amish stories. It would make a perfect Christmas gift as well.

While I read this book, I discovered a young lady who believed her “lies” and wasn’t willing to open her heart of any young man. But she discovers a wonderful woodwork that gives her hope. Without knowing who the artist is, she writes to him and slowly opens her heart to him.
On his side, the artist has experience some trauma in his youth. And receiving letters from Beth, he starts his last step of healing. Unbeknown to both of them healing enter their lives and a speck of love as well. Mixed with this story is the wonderful sound of sleigh bells.

Ah! Sleigh bells are indeed magical I think. I wished we could ride in a sleigh during winter time with bells making music while we discover the beauty of the snow around us. Somehow, I am attracted to this and hope to, one day, be able to experience it on Christmas day. Then after the ride, we come back home and make hot chocolate and the smell of warm soup on the stove. And the one object I would bring with me during the ride (apart from the warm blankets that is) would be my camera. I sure hope to be able to see birds and squirrels in the forest and even have a light snow fall while doing so.

This novel will bring warmth in your heart and realize that healing is possible for anyone even if it takes time to go through it.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells is available everywhere even at amazon.ca and indigo.ca.

I want to thank Waterbrook Press for the opportunity of reviewing this novel. I have received no compensation to do so.