The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall (and a giveaway!!!!)

Yay! My first giveaway! I'm doing a happy dance so give yourself a laugh and imagine it! I don't really understand why this excites me so - but I love to win things and I'm finding that I love to be on the other end so one of my friends can win, too! :)

The Sound of Sleigh Bells was my first book of Cindy Woodsmall's to read - and let me tell ya - I love her!

Beth Hertzler is a young Amish lady, mourning the death of her fiance'. Unknown to her friends and family, she is also hiding a secret - one that has made her vow to never love again. She works alongside her never-before-married Aunt Lizzy in their family dry goods store and Lizzy wants nothing more than for Beth to live life again. She doesn't want her beloved niece to live a life of lonliness as Lizzy herself has.

Beth's soul is stirred by a woodcarving she sees in another store. Hope springs in Lizzy's heart as she sees little signs of life awaken in her niece once again.

Is this a new beginning, or will the artist and woodcarving just lead to more heartache and pain for Beth?

I loved this book! It's a lighthearted, relaxing read that I was unable to put down. (I think I finished it in less than 3 hours). The Amish storyline really intrigued me. I genuinely respect the spirit that Woodsmall portrayed of the Amish community. I admire their willingness to live how they are convicted to live - with no thought of what modern society may think of them.

This is a story of forgiveness, love and hope. I believe we can NEVER have too much of any of these! My heart and mood were lifted after reading it. So. . .

leave me a comment by next Friday, October 23rd and you will be entered to win a never-before-opened hardback copy of this book! :) (If you don't want it for yourself, it would make a great Christmas gift. . . I'm just sayin'. . . )

If you don't win, you can purchase this book at Waterbrook Press. I highly recommend it!

This book was provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah.