The Sound of Sleigh Bells
A Novel by Cindy Woodsmall
Cindy Woodsmall is the New York Times best-selling author of When the Soul Mends as well as two other books in the same series. She writes of the Old Order Amish with a voice of someone who knows them intimately. Her newest book The Sound of Sleigh Bells tells a new story of these often misunderstood people.
The Sound of Sleigh Bells: Storyline
Beth Hertzler has been mourning the death of her finance Henry for over a year. She speaks of no one to the events of that night. She continues to wear black and not attend events for the single people of the district. Her family is worried she is doomed to be an old maid much like her Aunt Lizzy.
In another district near Beth's, a young man, Jonah, works at wood carving. He was injured years ago in a sleigh accident and hasn't really had romance in his life. His family worries he will always be alone so they try to pique his interest with single women from the district to no avail.
Beth travels on a buying trip for the store she runs with her aunt. Along the way she finds a carving of Amish children playing in the snow. The carving speaks to her, so Beth brings it home. Beth places the carving near her bed where she can look at it.
Lizzy, ever the investigator, goes to the site where Beth got the carving. She meets Jonah and the two agree to begin corresponding. Lizzy says to write to Beth not Elizabeth as it is her nickname.
Jonah and Beth unknowingly begin corresponding which each other. Each thinks they are writing to someone older, Jonah to Lizzy and Beth to an older gentleman who does carvings. A relationship forms through the letters and the two share thoughts and secrets.
Jonah figures it out when Beth comes to buy more carvings at the shop. He travels to her district to tell her the truth. Beth is upset by the news and Jonah must find a way back into her heart.
Charactersin Woodsmall's Novel
The characters are believable people. The reader becomes involved in their lives and wants to see the problems each face resolved. The Old Order Amish characters are described in a way to make them more understandable to the Englisher world.
Beth and Jonah both suffer from guilt from accidents of the past. Each must find a way to get past the guilt so they can grow as people. Readers alternately weep and cheer for these two very likable people.
Glimpse at Old Order Amish Life
Cindy Woodsmall lives in an area that has Old Order Amish living nearby. She has become friends with many of them and asks them for assistance when writing her stories. Her genuine emotional ties to the Amish come across in her books. She has a respect for their way of life and tells the story of this unique people in a manner most readers can easily understand.
The Sound of Sleigh Bells features believable characters living in a real world with real problems. Although the characters are Old Order Amish, the problems they face are problems that are universal and not unique to the Amish. All readers will be able to relate to the characters on many levels. Readers will find this story a good read that they won't want to put down. It is the perfect book for reading at any time and can be read by any age person.
The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall
Waterbrook Press, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-307-44653-4
The Sound of Sleigh Bells
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