Good Morning Friends :)
I'd like to take a quick moment and let each and every one of you who chooses to read this know that I appreciate you. I'm so thankful that you took some time out of your busy day to spend a few moments with me here on my blog, and I'm beyond grateful for that.
If this blog makes even one person smile today, then I'm going to feel like it made a difference, and that I was able to shine a light for Jesus. He's always here for all of us, and I know I need to do a better job of remembering that, especially during the hard times.
For today's review, I have another Christmas book to share with you all. Carrying on my crazy tradition of reading Christmas reads during the spring and summer heat, I happened upon a beautiful story of redemption, God's grace and finding love, and I know that any of you guys who are also fans of Amish fiction are going to also adore this one!
I previously reviewed the second book in this series and you can find that review here.
Let's dive right into today's review for day five of Christmas in July here on The Preppy Book Princess.
The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall:
Source: Libby App
Publisher: Waterbrook
Publication Date: October 6th, 2009
Genre: Christian Fiction/Amish Fiction
Series: Apple Ridge
Synopsis:
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 fiancĂ©. 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?
(synopsis from goodreads)
My Review:
I ended up reading the second book in the Apple Ridge series first, and I was really interested to hear Beth and Jonah's story that's briefly mentioned in The Christmas Singing. Cindy Woodsmall truly has a gift for writing heartfelt, emotional Christmas stories, and I truly adored this one from start to finish.
Beth and Jonah have both had extremely difficult circumstances happen to them in the past, and both are finding it hard to truly move on with their lives in the way everyone expects them to. A chance encounter leads them to start writing letters to each other, but neither realizes who they are actually writing to. As emotions start to run high, and feelings soon begin to develop, Beth and Jonah will have to truly learn to let go and let God, and always wait for His guidance and timing. The Sound of Sleigh Bells is now another favorite for me within the Amish fiction genre, and I can't wait to reread this one closer to the Christmas season.
I loved how quick paced this one is, and how easily the reader gets pulled into the entire story. A lot of the story is dealing with deeper subject material, and yet still is able to leave the reader with a case of the warm fuzzies by the end of the story. Beth and Jonah's journey is truly beautiful and heartwarming, and I found both of their characters to be so relatable and extremely endearing.
If you're looking for a heartwarming, Amish fiction title to enjoy for Christmas, definitely go ahead and pick this one up.
Final Rating: 5/5.
Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your day, and I'll see you all tomorrow for day six of Christmas in July here on The Preppy Book Princess.
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