Love alone isn’t enough to overcome some obstacles............

Lena Kauffman is a young Old Order Amish schoolteacher who has dealt all her life with attention raised by a noticeable birthmark on her cheek. Having learned to move past the stares and whispers, Lena channels her zest for living into her love of teaching. But tensions mount as she is challenged to work with a rebellious young man and deal with several crises at the schoolhouse that threaten her other students. Her lack of submission and the use of ideas that don’t line up with the Old Ways strengthen the school board’s case as they begin to believe that Lena is behind all the trouble. One member of the school board, Grey Graber, feels trapped by his own stifling circumstances. His wife Elsie has shut him out of her life, and he doesn’t know how long he can continue to live as if nothing is wrong. As the two finally come to a place of working toward a better marriage, tragedy befalls their family. Lena and Grey have been life-long friends but their relationship begins to crumble amidst unsettling deceptions, propelling each of them to finally face their own secrets. Can they both find a way past their losses and discover the strength to build a new bridge? (Taken from CFBA Tour Site)

Win a "Trip To Amish Country"...contest opens August 31st -December 31st...go HERE to enter!

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Bridge of Peace, go HERE.

Review

This is the second novel of Woodsmall's Ada House series and centers around Lena a young school house teacher looking for love and finding a way past her insecurity's. Lena has dealt with insecurity most of her life, living with a large birthmark on her cheek. Low self-esteem has made her pretty tough though on the outside and Lena has huge problems coming her way with parents, the school board and a nightmare of a bully named Dwayne.

Grey Graber has been living his life in a loveless and sadly ruined marriage with Elsie. Divorce for the Amish is not an option and the idea of living this life day in and day out brings Grey to acquire help for his marriage. That alone emotionally opens Elsie and the two begin the quiet journey to finally repair their broken marriage. As the couple and Lena move forward to face their own problems, dark tragedy strikes and the Lena and Grey only have each other to lean on. Can Grey move past his loss, can Lena have courage and confidence in herself to pursue the one thing she wants and fight the one thing that could take her away.....??? Oh the drama................


I have a thing for Amish romance, and this story certainly delivered drama, scandal and romance. I thought the plot moved along nicely and presented delightful characters, but soaked them in the depth of real life and tragedy. Surprisingly was a small twist of hatred and danger that surrounded the plot with Lena and while I thought the added element of “scary stalker action“ fit well with Lena’s story it seemed to clash with most of the Amish tales out there. It added a fresh and action packed plotline to the usual love overcomes themes. Dwayne’s I’ve gone psycho gave the novel some Amish steeped in crazy for the reader. Although I think what I loved about this story was the significance of second chances. While Grey was devastated over the loss of his wife, a new door opened for him almost immediately in the arms of a long time friend who herself had been looking for that chance. I would suggest reading the first novel in this series to get the jest of the background characters in The Bridge of Piece and the overall environment Ms. Woodsmall has created. A fun, light read suggested for anyone who likes Amish stories and wholesome romance.

Rating

A Wholesome story surrounding the lives of the Amish and touches on topics including, grief, sorrow, marriage problems and violence. Suitable for most readers 16 and up.

3.5/5- Amish Fiction-Romance

Thanks to Waterbrook Press and the CFBA for Review Copy, to see a list of full tour go here.

About the Author

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. She was also a homeschool mom. 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.Her first novel released in 2006 to much acclaim and became a best seller. Cindy was a 2007 ECPA award finalist, along with Karen Kingsbury, Angela Hunt, and Charles Martin. Her second book, When the Morning Comes, hit numerous best-sellers lists across the US, including edging into the extended list of the New York Times, coming in at number thirty-four. Her third book, When the Soul Mends, hit the New York Times best-sellers list, coming in at number thirteen, as well as making the USA Today’s best-sellers list.Cindy continues to write and release best-selling works of fiction, and she’s also written a nonfiction work with an Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. The book is titled Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women. It will release March 11, 2011. Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity.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. Cindy, her husband, their three sons and two daughters-in-law reside in Georgia.