Beloved Readers,
Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes the fourth and final book in Amish Vines and Orchards series, Seasons of Tomorrow. The title is Seasons of Tomorrow, but it releases today—Tuesday, April 15!
Since I only send out my newsletter Plain News approximately three to four times a year, this may be your first time to receive it. In case you’re wondering why you’ve received this newsletter, I want to take a moment to clarify: either you or someone on your behalf sent a direct request through my website or you were signed up as a disclosed perk while registering to win an Amish-made quilt or an Amish-themed gift basket giveaway from my publisher. If you prefer not to receive Plain News, simply scroll to the bottom of this newsletter and click the unsubscribe button. Your request will be effective immediately.
When I began to write book one in the Amish Vines and Orchards series, I was incredibly excited. My joy of writing was once again renewed when I uncovered the beauty, trials, and victories of apple orchard farming in the Woodsmall family.
As part of my research, I also spent time with Old Order Amish friends, and came in contact with a woman who struggled with forewarnings and insights. Was it of God or not? Should she embrace it or stand against it?
Adding to those things, I stumbled onto the most fascinating Amish settlement I’d come across in years, one that had moved to Maine only a couple of years earlier, and I discovered a connection to that community among my Amish friends in Pennsylvania.
So with my imagination racing, my research in hand, and connections to knowledgeable resources for each aspect of the story, I began writing the series that became Amish Vines and Orchards. I’ve learned so much throughout this series, not only about the Old Order Amish, challenges of establishing a new settlement, or the struggles of those who have what is often considered a “forbidden” gift from God, but I understand more than ever before the power of love among family when it’s coupled with self-awareness, humility, and persistence.
As you read the fourth and final book in this series, I pray it touches your heart as writing it did mine.
On a personal note, for those of you who aren’t on Facebook with me, we welcomed our first grandson to the family in January.
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| On January 10, 2014, Caleb Leo Woodsmall was born. He’s under the warming lights and the nurse just pricked his heal as his two-year-old sister, Lucy, gets her first glimpse of him. He weighed a little over nine pounds and was 21 inches long. |
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| Caleb is now three months old, and his mom caught an adorable snapshot of bonding time between Lucy and Caleb. |
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Kaden Jase Woodsmall Our oldest son, Justin, and his wife, Shweta, are expecting their first child. He’s due in mid-May. Like a lot of moms-to-be, Shweta is eight months pregnant and working really long days. But her last day of grad-school internship is this Friday, April 18. I have to say I’ve spent months counting down the days for her until that bit of relief arrives. At that point, school for her will be out FOREVER! |
New Release
Seasons of Tomorrow releases today!
Romantic Times gave Seasons of Tomorrow four stars: Wonderful fourth installment…sweet characters who will do anything for their family, even if it goes against everything they believe in.
Mindy Starns Clark, best-selling author of Shadows of Lancaster County, The Amish Midwife, and more, said: Cindy Woodsmall is an incredibly gifted author, and her books never fail to engage the mind and touch the heart.
As love restores Rhoda, a sudden tragedy is the test of faith she never saw coming.
More settled in her heart than ever before, Rhoda Byler feels a newfound confidence living in the Old Order Amish settlement she helped establish in Orchard Bend, Maine. Time has helped to heal the wounds of Rhoda’s recent severed relationship, and she finds that even her unusual gift of profound intuition is less of a burden as she continues to seek God’s wisdom for her future. She is happy to be working alongside the King family and the love of her life as they tend and nurture the settlement’s orchard.
Yet when Leah King’s involvement with Englischer Landon Olson becomes known outside of the Maine community, her disregard of the Ordnung could threaten all the Orchard Bend Amish are building. In the midst of addressing the discord, a shocking tragedy challenges the young settlement like never before, threatening to uproot Rhoda’s peace and the future of everything she holds dear.
When several members of Orchard Bend Farms are displaced, the estranged King brother is called upon to return. Can those who founded the new Amish community in Maine unite? Or will the lingering pain of past hurts and present struggles result in the end of their dreams?
To read chapter one of book four, Seasons of Tomorrow, please click here.
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Cindy's Itinerary
Sixteenth Annual Southern Kentucky Book Fest
Saturday, April 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Western Kentucky University at the Knicely Conference Center
654 Campbell Lane
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101-3576
As well as being at the book fest throughout the day, I will be on a panel of inspirational fiction writers in Classroom 113 at 11:00 a.m. Also on that panel will be Ann Gabhart, Allie Pleiter, Virginia Smith, Jan Watson, and Angela Correll.
For more information, go here.
Amish Connection
It’s almost that time again—AMISH SCHOOL SALE AUCTION!
| WHAT: | Amish School Auction/Sale Amish-made quilts and wall hangings Amish-made crafts Shrubbery Flowers Tools Wagons of stuff Some horses, bunnies, and sheep And there will be lots of GREAT food that can be purchased! |
| WHEN: | Saturday, May 10, 2014 (The day before Mother’s Day—great for purchasing gifts!) From 8:30 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m. Quilt sale usually begins around noon. (But if you want a seat, arrive early. And bring lawn chairs!) |
| WHERE: | In a warehouse-type building and surrounding area (You can’t miss it because there will be a field for parking vehicles and people directing traffic.) Jacob Flaud 15700 Burnt Mill Road Newburg, PA 17240 |
Apple Oat Scones
For this easy and delicious Apple Oat Scones recipe, just follow this link to a page on my website.
Giveaway
I’m offering a contest which gives you a chance to win an autographed copy of Seasons of Tomorrow AND this beautiful Sunshine & Shadows Amish-made wall hanging. For more information on how to participate, just follow this link and click on the first link under Plain Talk Blog: News & More.
If you and I are not connected on Facebook, I invite you to join me there. I so enjoy sharing inspirational and fun posts throughout each week.
©Copyright Cindy Woodsmall. All rights Reserved.