In a community where conformity flourishes, seeds of Rhoda’s odd behavior were planted long ago. Can she cultivate her relationships with the same care and tenderness that she gives her beloved garden?
Old Order Amish Rhoda Byler’s unusual gift and her remarkable abilities to grow herbs and berries have caused many to think her odd. As rumors mount that Rhoda’s “gift” is a detriment to the community, she chooses isolation, spending her time in her fruit garden and on her thriving canning business.
Miles away in Harvest Mills, Samuel King struggles to keep his family’s apple orchard profitable. As the eldest son, Samuel farms with his brothers, the irrepressible Jacob and brash Eli, while his longtime girlfriend Catherine remains hopeful that Samuel will marry her when he feels financially stable.
Meanwhile, Samuel’s younger sister Leah is testing all the boundaries during her rumschpringe, and finds herself far from home in Rhoda’s garden after a night of partying gone badly. But Leah’s poor choices serve as a bridge between Rhoda and the King family when a tragic mistake in the orchard leaves Samuel searching for solutions.
Rhoda’s expertise in canning could be the answer, but she struggles with guilt over the tragic death of her sister and doesn’t trust herself outside her garden walls. As the lines between business, love, and family begin to blur, can Rhoda finally open up to a new life? And what effect will this odd, amazing woman have on the entire King family?
Links to follow:
Our Review
My 12-year old daughter’s thoughts: This is an excellent book, and I enjoyed it very much. I feel Cindy Woodsmall has really captured the characters’ feelings and emotions throughout the book.
I read the first chapter and found myself unable to put the book down. I just could not wait to find out what happened to Rhoda, Leah, and Samuel. This has been one of the best books Cindy Woodsmall has written yet. I can not wait for the next book in the series!
A Season For Tending will be a great book for all you Amish-lovers out there.
My thoughts: The author is a wonderful storyteller and the book was fast moving with lots of twists and turns in it. I was disappointed to know that the story was not even close to being resolved at the end of this book. I usually like there to be some closure but there were a lot of loose ends for book two in the series to tie up.
I was a little taken aback by the amount of worldliness that had infiltrated into this Amish community. I guess part of me was interested that the Amish portrayed in this story were not perfect and holy in every way, as is easy to assume of this group of people. Just like anyone, anywhere, we all make mistakes and fall short of Godly perfection, however, I felt like there were excessive slantings towards these negative behaviors. Maybe in the next books, the author will show these characters the error of their ways and I’m sure all will end well, but it just wasn’t my favorite portrayal of the Amish people.
I know that this author is a favorite of many readers and I have read two novelettes of hers and they were both short and sweet and I did enjoy them. The story itself was solid, but I just had little nigglings that it was not a preferred reading for me. I’m sure many have and many will continue to delight in this story, just not me.
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The Giveaway
One winner will receive a paperback copy of the book A Season for Tending by Cindy Woodsmall. Please use the Rafflecopter below to be entered:
Waterbrook Press sent me the above book for review purposes. It will allow me to keep the book. I have no other connection to and have received no other compensation from Waterbrook Press.
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Yay!! I really want to read this one. I like Cindy as an author. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have always loved Cindy’s books, I think I missed the last new release. But would love to start a new series by her.
Patty
My favorite fruit is strawberries.
My favorite fruit is watermelon.
Probably bananas
My favorite fruit is pineapple. Thanks for the generous giveaway
Banana
Homegrown strawberries
My favorite fruit is Golden Delicious Apples! Yummy!
Thanks, Diane, for the reviews.
My favorite fruit…that’s a hard one, since I love fruits of all kinds. It’s hard to beat the Royal Riviera pears from Harry and David’s. What a treat!
A great review. Very candid. I am intrigued to read this with your comment about the worldiness. While I understand that it might not be the favored portrayal…it is so true. I was Amish until I was 4 and was raised still with all my cousins…i still speak PA dutch daily. I am very close t my grandma still and love m heritage. I am a writer also so this authentic knowledge is great for my writing. They have the same struggles as we do and today’s youth do…and in some ways it’s extra difficult bc they are kept to such a high standard. It’s such a fascinating world still even though I’ve never known my life w/o it. Again, great candid review and I love that your daughter also reviewed it.
Cantelope is my favorite.
black raspberries
This book sounds intriguing and love the fact that your 12 year old daughter enjoyed it as well. Obviously grabs a wide ranging audience. Would love to have the chance to win this book and see for myself.
I want this book so bad. Have tried so many times to win Cindy’s book, but, will keep trying. Her books are so good. Thanks Dianna, Maxie ( mac262@me.com )
I would like to thank you so much for a fantastic book giveaway, that i would love to have the oportunity of reading and reviewing. In response to your fantastic question i would have to say Apples, as “an apple a day helps to keep the doctor away!”.
Thank you so much once again. x
Email: lfountain1(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk
What a great opportunity you’ve given us. I’d be honored to have a copy of your book!
It’s so hard to pick just one because I love all fruit but I’ll narrow it to mango, banana and pineapple.
I live plums!
I would love to win!!
Thanks for the giveaway!!
Sarah Richmond
sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com
Blanch,N.C.
Apples!!
I’m a new follower of your blog. I would love to receive a copy of your book.
My favorite fruit is tomatoes… unless you don’t count them, then it would be watermelon.
I love pretty much all fruits in their season but really love a good pineapple. Or watermelon. Or strawberry. Or canteloupe…
i love durian…delicious
My favorite fruit is the peach. They always smell and taste so good! Pure bliss!
Banana, no question!
Most any of the good ripe fruits of summer. But then a really good apple in the fall and winter is wonderful. It is such a shame that the fruit in the stores is so hard and picked too early.
Apples.
A year ago I would have said bananas – but lately I can’t stand the texture of them! I have a thing going with strawberries now. . .
Thanks for the giveaway! This seems like a fun blog. I just found it today.
My favorite fruit would be peaches… they are so yummy
I’m not entering since I already read the book but I felt the same way. Cindy is one of my favorite Amish Fiction authors but there definitely wasn’t enough resolution in the end, and way too much worldliness, so you weren’t alone
cantalope
My favorite fruit is anything chocolate covered…withOUT the fruit!!
Raspberries!
I have only recently started reading books by Cindy. I love what I have read so far and would love to have this one.
I like blueberries. Although, apples are great, too. Living in an Amish area, I enjoy reading these books. I’ll have to check this one out!
Watermelon!!
I LOVE homegrown strawberries from our local orchard, they are to die for!!
watermelon and grapes
Peaches , yummy!
I like just about any kind of fruit but I guess Pineapples and Kwiwis are my favorite!!
any kind of berry and I am a happy camper
Strawberries!