Thursday, April 12, 2012

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

By Cindy Woodsmall



Book Description
Annie Martin loves the Plain ways of her Old Order Mennonite people, like those revered by her beloved grandfather. Retreating from a contentious relationship with her mother, Annie goes to live with her Daadi Moses in Apple Ridge.
But as spring moves into Pennsylvania and Annie spends time amongst the cherry trees with the handsome Aden Zook, she wishes she could forget how deeply the lines between the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite are drawn.
Can Annie and Aden find a place for their love to bloom in the midst of the brewing storm?

Review
Annie Martin is an Old Order Mennonite from New York with troubled family. She has a difficult relationship with her mother and as a result, she goes to spend time with her Grandfather Moses in Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania. She begins working at Zook’s Restaurant and meets Aden Zook who is Old Order Amish. She has known the Zook family through her earlier visits with her grandfather.
Aden has his own issues. He lives at home and feels responsible for his brother, Roman’s, care. He also struggles with his self confidence due to family issues of his own.
Annie and Aden slowly form a bond and eventually become more than friends. However, Annie loves and is devoted to her Old Order Mennonite faith and Aden is devoted to his Old Order Amish faith. So what do they do? Do they stay together or does one of them change to the other’s faith so that they can be together but, at the same time, risk being abolished by their families and friends?
Annie’s grandfather disapproves of their relationship despite his close ties to the Zook family. On his farm is a cherry blossom orchard that he planted for Annie’s grandmother years ago. Annie and Aden secretly meet for long walks and talks in the orchard. They fall in love and through this love you see them mature and become more confident in who they are and what they want. Roman, Aden’s twin brother , does not like Aden and Annie’s relationship because he is co-dependent on Aden for his care. He was disabled from an accident resulting in bitterness and self-pity. But the story shows that he eventually matures and also has the beginning of his own romance.
Cindy WOodsmall’s writing is very descriptive and you feel as if you are in the story watching it unfold. The characters have depth and they are full of life. The books message of hope, faith, compromise, and love is very inspirational without being cheeky. Amish Fiction lovers will fully enjoy this book.

NOTE: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review with no expectation of a good review from the publisher.

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