Cindy Woodsmall has done it again! She’s drawn me into her world so effectively, that I hardly noticed I had reached the end of the story. In fact, I was frustrated that the story was finished, as it had more to disclose.
Ties That Bind begins with a crisis and immediately pulls you into the story of an Amish family and an Englisch family whose lives intersect. Woodsmall is able to navigate the two worlds successfully, framing each with the language and idiosyncrasies that make them believable.
The mysteries continued throughout the book, and it made me feel valued as a reader, not having everything spelled out for me. I love the wisdom spattered throughout, such as when Quill realizes hardship is a sign of being alive (p. 71), or when he recognizes the shallowness of treating God as a star to wish upon (p. 175). Arianna’s world turns inside out as she considers the treachery of those leaving the Old Order, but clings to love’s virtue, “with its thriving desire to be kind, encouraging, and protective” (p. 193).
The audience of Amish readers will have no further to look to find a great story. Award-winning Cindy Woodsmall has added another family to her repertoire, with The Amish of Summer Grove series, and it left me hanging on the edge of my seat for book two!

Sally
Disclaimer: “I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.”