Ties That Bind Book Review

The Amish of Summer Grove Series

Book One

SUMMARY:  Ariana's comfortable Old Order Amish world is about to unravel.  Will holding tightly to the cords of family keep them together - or simply tear them apart?

     Twenty-year-old Ariana Brenneman loves her family and the Old Ways.  She has two aspirations: open a cafe' in historic Summer Grove to help support her family's ever-expanding brood, and keep any other Amish from being lured into the Englisch life by Quill Schlabach.

     Five years ago Quill and her dear friend Frieda ran off together, and Ariana still carries the wounds of that betrayal.  When she unexpectedly encounters him again, she realizes he has plans to help someone else she loves leave the Amish.

     Despite how things look, Quill's goal has always been to protect Ariana from anything that might hurt her, including the reasons he left.  After returning to Summer Grove, he unearths secrets about Ariana and her family that she is unaware of.  His loyalty to her beckons him to try to win her trust - because when she learns the truth that connects her and a stranger named Skylar Nash, Quill knows it may upend her life forever.

     Ties That Bind is the first novel in The Amish of Summer Grove series.

REVIEW:  This story blew me out of the water!!  While there are a lot of events and people to keep straight, this composition kept my attention all the way through.  I found myself praying for Ariana, Skylar, their parents, etc as I read through difficult situations and massively tough decisions they faced.  Family can be those you were born into and those who come along side you for life's journey.  The struggles within this Amish community were difficult, as it seemed to be rules and regulations instead of grace and mercy.  While all are needed, some are needed more than others.  I hope I can get a copy of the next book when it comes out because I would LOVE to read more about Ariana and Skylar and their struggles as they adjust to the new "norm."  

    If you want a book that is full of intrigue and that will grab at your heart strings, this is one you want to pick up and read.

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books

for review without compensation.

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times, CBA, ECPA, and USA Today best-selling author who has written more than a dozen works of fiction and one of nonfiction.  Her connection with the Amish community has been widely featured in national media outlets.  She's been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards.  Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia mountains.