When the Soul Mends [Hardcover]

Cindy Woodsmall (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Waterbrook Press (2008)
• ISBN-10: 1607513064
• ISBN-13: 978-1607513063
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (116 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,044,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author who has written six novels, three novellas, and Plain Wisdom, a work of nonfiction coauthored with her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. Cindy has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal concerning Amish life.

She's a veteran homeschool mom who no longer holds that position. As her children progressed in age, her desire to write grew stronger. After working through reservations whether this desire was something she should pursue, she began her writing journey. Her husband was her staunchest supporter as she aimed for what seemed impossible.

She's won Fiction Book of the Year, Reviewer's Choice Awards, Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest, and was one of Crossings Best Books of the Year. She's been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards.

Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Though she didn't realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began preparing Cindy to write these books. At the age of ten, while living in the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a Plain Mennonite girl. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore the prayer Kapp and cape dresses. Her parents didn't allow television or radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. During the numerous times Luann came to Cindy's house to spend the night, her rules came with her and the two were careful to obey them--afraid that if they didn't, the adults would end their friendship. Although the rules were much easier to keep when they spent the night at Luann's because her family didn't own any of the forbidden items, both sets of parents were uncomfortable with the relationship and a small infraction of any kind would have been enough reason for the parents to end the relationship. While navigating around the adults' disapproval and the obstacles in each other's lifestyle, the two girls bonded in true friendship that lasted into their teen years, until Cindy's family moved to another region of the US.

As an adult, Cindy became friends with a wonderful Old Order Amish family who opened their home to her. Although the two women, Miriam and Cindy, live seven hundred miles apart geographically, and a century apart by customs, when they come together they never lack for commonality, laughter, and dreams of what only God can accomplish through His children. Over the years Cindy has continued to make wonderful friendships with those inside the Amish and Mennonite communities--from the most conservative ones to the most liberal.

Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband, three sons, two daughters-in-law, a new granddaughter, and a dog named Jersey who wants to dominate the world, starting with the Woodsmall household.

If you'd like more information or to contact her, you can go to her website: http://www.cindywoodsmall.com or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorcindywoodsmall

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Amish series ever!!!!!, February 27, 2009

By 

Bookworm Annie (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Soul Mends (Sisters of the Quilt, Book 3) (Paperback)

From the beginning of the first book to the end of the last book, this Sisters of the Quilt series is the BEST Amish series I've ever read, and I've read plenty!! Cindy's writing is amazing. Her story is both realistic and unique, and it will keep you turning pages into the wee hours of the morning. I could NOT put these books down! And yes, you'll shed some tears but, like most readers, I felt a personal connection to the characters and can't begin to share what all insights I gained about myself and life. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific ending to the Hannah Lapp saga, September 18, 2008

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When the Soul Mends (Sisters of the Quilt, Book 3) (Paperback)

Two and half years ago, then seventeen year old Hannah Lapp left in disgrace the Old Order Amish community and her family home in Owl's Perch, Pennsylvania. Her equally shunned Aunt Zabeth Bender took her teenage niece into her home in Winding Creek, Ohio. Hannah vowed never to return although she misses her family, even though her father who's shunning of her means to him she is dead. Hannah has found contentment with her beloved Martin Palmer and the children they raise.

However, when her troubled sister Sarah frantically calls her, Hannah, in spite of her sibling spreading the rumors that led to her exile, rushes home to help her. She quickly realizes the community loathes her for her choices; her father demands she leave. With the help of her former fiancé Paul Waddell, Hannah tries to help Sarah with mental health issues while she also wonders if she made a mistake when she left her home.

The third Sisters of the Quilt tale (see WHEN THE HEART CRIES and WHEN THE HEART CRIES) is a terrific ending to the Hannah Lapp saga as readers obtain a deep understanding of the faith Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. However what makes the story line engaging and inspiring is Sarah, a unique person in terms of the Amish or for that matter inspirational fiction in general as she suffers with mental issues. Readers will appreciate this excellent entry in the Lapp saga as Hannah returns home to help her sister while her parents and siblings struggle with shunning and welcoming.

Harriet Klausner

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forgiveness, love, healing and finding true relationships, January 18, 2009

By 

squiresj (Wasola, Mo) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Soul Mends (Sisters of the Quilt, Book 3) (Paperback)

I read the first two books by Cindy Woodsmall in this series and highly recommend that before reading this book. I waited and waited until I could afford this book and glad I finally got it.

I like the way the book deals with family, relationships and how circumstances can change what we expected out of life.

Hannah never would have gone off into the Englisher Community had it not been for circumstances beyond her own control. Family sometimes does not understand but all those things worked to make her a stronger person.

Yet when her sister makes a frantic call to her needing help, she listens and responds. That plea brings about another change that Hannah is not expecting. She comes back to the Amish Community where she has experienced so much hurt and little by little God moves in and begins to bring healing.

If Hannah had not gone out to the Englisher Community and learned a trade, she could not have helped her friend, her sister, or the guy she onced love and pledged to marry.

Amish or Englisher you can find healing and learn forgiveness toward others. You can see how God moves sometimes in what we would term hard circumstances to bring about something good.

Does she marry the Englisher or the Amish guy she once pledged to marry? I would not give that away as you need to read the book.

I liked how Cindy wove instances all through the book that worked hard feelings, forgiveness, overcoming problems, and moving forward. One never knew what to expect. Another great read. I have not read any of Cindy's books that have not been a blessing to me.