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Customer Reviews for WaterBrook Press Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
WaterBrook Press Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Experience the warmth and peace of a Plain Christmas! The Sound of Sleigh Bells reminds Beth of her deceased fiance. Will she ever love again? In The Christmas Singing, Gideon betrays Mattie. Will discovering his reasons cause her more heartbreak? And will The Dawn of Christmas bring happiness to two estranged friends and an expectant couple? 576 pages, softcover from Waterbrook.
Average Customer Rating:
(19 Reviews) 19
Rating Snapshot (19 reviews)
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19 out of 19100%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Review 1 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Sweet stories
Date:May 6, 2013
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Three sweet Amish tales, old and new, just in time for Christmas!
Welcome to Apple Ridge, in this three-in-one novella collection, three couples find love, and learn that often in order to open the door to incoming love, the past must be let go.
Cindy Woodsmall has written three poignant tales that are sure to delight. I had previously read The Christmas Singing, but I was happy to read 2 stories that I hadn't read before, though I should note that The Sound of Sleigh Bells is also a previously released title.
Ms. Woodsmall does an excellent job of creating engaging characters and telling their tales in a sweet and meaningfull way. The stories are well written and the pacing is great!
Overall, I deeply enjoyed each story, and so did my mother (who isn't an Amish fiction fan at all!) Each of the stories was woven with threads that endeared the characters to me :) A collection that I would definitely recommend to fans of great inspirational reads!
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
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Review 2 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Christmas in Apple Ridge
Date:March 20, 2013
Doolie
Location:Lee's Summit, MO
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I really enjoy Cindy's books. She makes the Amish way of life so real to people who don't know their way. The characters are people I can identify with, even though their way of life is different from mine.
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Review 3 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
3 in 1 set of wonderful Amish romance
Date:January 31, 2013
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I've reviewed several of Cindy Woodsmall's books in the past. Each one has blessed me in a unique way and Christmas in Apple Ridge is no different. It is a three-in-one collection, which includes The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing--both of which I've read before--and The Dawn of Christmas. There are many books that I would not wish to read a second time, but I enjoyed both the first and second stories as much this time as I did when I read them originally. The third story was new and I devoured it in just a few short hours.
Oh, by the way, don't stop at the recipes (if you get the e-version) like I did after The Sound of Sleigh Bells. I felt so silly when I realized I had missed the second and third portions of the book.
If you are an Amish romance fan, you will enjoy reading Christmas in Apple Ridge.
***Received this book for the purpose of review. The above opinion is my own.***
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Review 4 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Three awesome books under one cover
Date:January 31, 2013
Marcy
Location:Vancouver, WA
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas by Cindy Woodsmall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Three great books from one of my favorite authors. I have never read a bad book from Cindy Woodsmall and all three of the novels included in this book are 5 star stories. They follow the lives of 5 different couples in the fictional Amish settlement of Apple Ridge, their ups and downs and finding love in just the right mate.
The Sound of Sleigh Bells is about trusting God after suffering a drastic loss, for Beth is was the loss of her fiance, for Jonah is is the loss of 2 fingers and full use of his leg in a sleigh accident. When they both finally meet it is the loss of trust and believing in themselves. By trusting God can Beth and Jonah find healing from their losses and love in each other?
The Christmas Singing is about forgiveness of yourself, others and even God. Mattie an absent minded forgetful Amish woman is broken hearted over her love since childhood Gideon, who she catches with an Englisher woman on Christmas Eve which is also her birthday. She moves to Berlin, Ohio and opens up her own business Mattie Cakes. She thinks she has found happiness in her thriving business and her new beau Sol. She isn't romantically in love with Sol but he is safe and would never break her heart the way Gideon did. Gideon is hiding a deep and deadly secret from his whole Amish community, his reason for allowing Mattie to believe he was in love with an English woman and cheating on her. He tries hard to keep the secret but he always fears that the illness that took his English friend, the one Mattie caught him with, will take his loss as well. When Absent minded Mattie's cake shop burns to the ground, possibly at her own forgetful hand, she move back home to Apple Ridge and is faced with Gideon. Will she be able to forgive herself for possibly leaving her journal on the wood stove, and forgive Gideon for breaking her heart and be able to become his friend or maybe more... Read this awesome book by Cindy Woodsmall and find out.
Third book included in this collection is The Dawn of Christmas where Sadie and Levi must overcome distrust of love and the opposite sex if they are ever to have families of their own. Sadie finds her fiance Daniel in the arms of her beautiful cousin on the eve of their wedding. Daniel and Aquilla both claim it was innocent and not what Sadie believes she saw. The Brim Amish community believes Daniel and Aquilla but Sadie's father believes her and allows her to move away and heal from the devastation. Levi watched his brother suffer through his wife leaving him and his young son for no apparent reason and his friend and business partner Daniel, yes Sadie's Daniel, was jilted on the eve of his wedding, now Levi swears never to marry woman are to untrustworthy. Four years later on the 4th of July Sadie is called to Apple Ridge where her Mammi Lee lives. After fighting with her family Sadie is "grounded" to her grandmother house while her parents are out. Levi is tired of his family trying to set him up and agrees to go to a singing, only to get them to leave him alone. He leaves early bareback on the horse he has trained, little does he know the horse is petrified of fireworks and upon hearing them goes crazy, Levi is thrown and injured. Sadie is good at listening to God, just not her parents so she heads out on her grandmas horse. On her ride she becomes disoriented and finds the injured Levi. She rescues him by calling 911 and while waiting for the ambulance they talk and strike up a friendship. How far will this friendship go? Will they ever trust each other enough for a real friendship? Will Daniel come back into Sadie's life? If he does will he be a help or a hindrance? I won't tell but the book will.
Read this three book collection and you will find out what happens to these 3 main couples and a few more. I really love how the couples are not in just their main book but in all 3 books so you see how their lives are intertwined and how the Amish community supports them or hinders them. They all have a clean, family oriented story line that is safe and enjoyable for all to read. I loved these 3 stories so much I am searching to see if Cindy has written anymore books based in Apple Ridge. Join me and read all of her great books.
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Review 5 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Love at Christmas
Date:December 19, 2012
Lini536
Location:Cambridge, MA
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
Book 1: The Sound of Sleigh Bells
Headstrong with great business acumen but a heavy heart, Beth Hertzler runs the dry good store with her aunt. Still single, the community wonder when she will stop wearing black. Her fiance died nearly a year ago and for many it's about time she moves on.
Headstrong with great business acumen but a heavy heart, Beth Hertzler runs the dry good store with her aunt. Still single, the community wonder when she will stop wearing black. Her fiance died nearly a year ago and for many it's about time she moves on.
Whilst Beth is lost in her somber thoughts, Lizzy (her aunt) takes things into her own matter when Beth is awakened by a wood carving. The craftsman behind the captivating scene is Jonah. A kind man who carries his own wounds. Through a series of letters Beth and Jonah open themselves up not knowing who they're actually talking to. Can Lizzy's well meaning matchmaking see two wounded people find each other, giving Beth a second chance at love?
Book 2: The Christmas Singing
When Gideon suddenly ends his engagement to Mattie, she leaves her family behind heartbroken and pursues her ambition to become a cake decorator. Three years on and and she's involved with Sol - a man that she has some affection for and knows won't hurt her. But a devastating fire causes her to return home. There she is faced with further anguish when she sees Gideon. Will she find out why he left her so dramatically all those years ago? Will Gideon find the strength to reveal his true reason for breaking up with Mattie? With so many questions swirling around their lives like a snowstorm, can they reconcile and enjoy Christmas again?
When Gideon suddenly ends his engagement to Mattie, she leaves her family behind heartbroken and pursues her ambition to become a cake decorator. Three years on and and she's involved with Sol - a man that she has some affection for and knows won't hurt her. But a devastating fire causes her to return home. There she is faced with further anguish when she sees Gideon. Will she find out why he left her so dramatically all those years ago? Will Gideon find the strength to reveal his true reason for breaking up with Mattie? With so many questions swirling around their lives like a snowstorm, can they reconcile and enjoy Christmas again?
Book 3: The Dawn of Christmas
Finding her fiance in the arms of her cousin, Sadie calls off the wedding the night before. Distraught that no-one believes what she saw, but with the support of her Daed, she lives Brim behind. Four years later with mission trips behind her, Sadie's family insist she return home, settle down and marry. But how can she? Leading an independent life has been transforming, she doesn't have time for love.
Finding her fiance in the arms of her cousin, Sadie calls off the wedding the night before. Distraught that no-one believes what she saw, but with the support of her Daed, she lives Brim behind. Four years later with mission trips behind her, Sadie's family insist she return home, settle down and marry. But how can she? Leading an independent life has been transforming, she doesn't have time for love.
A confirmed bachelor, Levi lives with his brother and nephew and after his brothers heartbreak, doesn't trust women. So when he meets Sadie and they concoct a plan to stop all the badgering of finding a partner crops up, they both jump at the chance to be left alone. Will the barriers of prejudice and resentment that they've built tumble down as their friendship solidifies?
Each story has been carefully crafted evoking the magic of Christmas entwined with finding true love. Woodsmall's characters are real, vivacious and amiable. From Beth's strong will to Sadie's fear of being hurt, their stories reveal the vulnerability of human nature. How easily it is to misunderstand, to build up mistrust and stop others from healing the wounds created. Whilst each story is a stand alone novel, read together, the lives of these three couples intertwine creating a warming continuity and underlining the strength that comes from being part of an Amish community.
Another excellent set of stories from Cindy Woodsmall. Her seemingly effortless story telling of an Amish community where its occupants come together to face adversity head on. There are moments of laughter, deep love and compassion as well tearful and heartwarming ones. The authors skill at letting the characters drive the story along comes shining through and linking these stories to the magical time of Christmas lends the tales an enchanting quality. A highly recommended read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrookMultnomah Publishing to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.
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Review 6 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Enjoyable Christmas reading!
Date:December 12, 2012
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I discovered Cindy Woodmall’s books last year and have really enjoyed the books I’ve read, including The Christmas Singing, which is one of the three novellas included in this volume.
Each of these stories tells an Amish love story set at Christmas time. In The Sound of Sleigh Bells, Beth is determined to live her life as a single Amish businesswoman. Her wounds from a previous failed relationship had caused her to close herself off emotionally from others and she has convinced herself that she is happy in her current life. However, a chance encounter with a woodcarver and the meddling of her aunt make her reconsider her plans.
The plot of The Christmas Singing deals with an Amish woman who has been jilted by the man she loved. Several years later, after moving away, finding a new relationship, and opening a business, her old beau comes back into her life and she begins to discover that the past was not what she had believed it to be.
In The Dawn of Christmas, Sadie lives an very unconventional life for an Amish woman. After a broken engagement, she left her community to live in a Mennonite community and feels a calling toward foreign missions. However, her family is determined to bring her back home.
Although they take place in the same communities, the novellas stand alone. Characters from previous books make an occasional appearance, but reading them in order is not necessary.
As you might tell, all three of these novella plots have a similar theme. Still, the stories are different, and I found each of them enjoyable. None of the stories were the type I’d stay up all night to finish, but I did find them well-written and entertaining.
One of my Christmas traditions is to spend time curled up near our tree with a cup of tea reading Christmas-themed books. These stories were perfect!
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. All opinions are my own.
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Review 7 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Awesome Books
Date:December 8, 2012
SmileyMommy
Location:Bowling Green, KY
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
As always, I was not disappointed in the writings of Cindy Woodsmall. Cindy is an excellent writer of Amish collections. The "Christmas in Apple Ridge" trilogy was a great collection of stories that intertwined the characters. In each of the stories, a love was found that the characters believed would never happen for them because of past hurts.
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Review 8 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Excellent book..3 books in 1
Date:December 5, 2012
Debbie Adams
Location:Cumming, GA
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This book is great for the Christmas holidays and is a great bargain. It is actually three books in one. Christmas in Apple Ridge by Cindy Woodsmall is one of those books that you want to keep reading. Even though it is three separate books, the settings revolve around Apple Ridge and the characters in the first book become minor characters in the other two.
Book 1 The Sound of Sleigh Bells introduces Beth Hertzler and her Aunt Lizzy. For different reasons, they have decided that they will never marry and immerse themselves into making Lizzy's store successful. While on a business trip, Beth sees a carving that draws her to it. She is interested in helping the artist sell his work. Little does she know how this will change her life forever. You watch as she and Lizzy find love and happiness that they thought they would never have.
Book 2 The Christmas Singing introduces Mattie. She moved away for Apple Ridge after a heartbreak, opened a successful cake shop and is seeing a nice guy. After a tragic event, Mattie finds herself back in Apple Ridge and is forced to relive her heartbreak. What she learns, is that everything was not as it seemed. Healing, forgiveness and love and new beginnings will be the theme you will enjoy.
Book 3 The Dawn of Christmas introduces Sadie. She has thrown herself into mission work after finding her future husband in the arms of another woman on the eve of her wedding. She find it very rewarding but her family wants her to come back into the their fold. After the shop where she works goes out of business, she goes to stay with her grandmother until her next mission trip. One night, while out riding a horse, she comes across Levi. He is in need of medical help after being thrown from his horse. Levi and Sadie develop a friendship that takes them in a direction neither one expected.
I would highly recommend getting Christmas in Apple Ridge by Cindy Woodsmall. It is a wonderful, engaging read. You will not be disappointed. It is also available in book or ebook form.
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Review 9 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Great Book!!!!
Date:December 4, 2012
peppercat
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I definitely like the books. The prices are very reasonable and delivery is excellant.
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Review 10 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Cindy Woodsmall has written a great Christmas read
Date:December 3, 2012
Karen
Location:Spickard, Missouri
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Cindy Woodsmall is one of my favorite authors of Amish fiction. I put the book in the church library. For the last three years the readers in my church and I have enjoyed her Christmas stories.
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Review 11 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Christmas in Apple Ridge - Blog Tour
Date:December 2, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This three in one collection by Cindy Woodsmall is a Christmas book lovers dream. It includes: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, and her latest Christmas story The Dawn of Christmas.
One of the many things I enjoyed about these books are that the characters carry over from story to story focusing on a different couple in each.
Every year starting in November I try to read as many Christmas books as possible. I assure you that Christmas in Apple Ridge will be a collection that I read year after year.
The Sound of Sleigh Bells is a story about Beth and Jonah. Beth who is a very talented business woman finds some of Jonah's work and wishes to start a business relationship. Little did she understand that a personal relationship is what God had in mind.
The Sound of Sleigh Bells, which was my favorite story is about another business woman Mattie, a cake decorator, and her ex-fiance Gideon. Several years before Gideon ended their engagement and upon returning home after a horrible fire, Beth learns the real reason behind Gideon's betrayal.
The Dawn of Christmas is about Sadie and Levi who decided, in an attempt to please their family, to fake a courtship. They were so talented in their "acting" that the entire town assumed it was real. Fortunately, they were the only ones who were fooled.
I would recommend this collection to any book lover that enjoys Christmas stories.
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Review 12 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
A Christmas Trio
Date:November 29, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
What could be better than an Amish Christmas story by Cindy Woodsmall? How about three Amish Christmas stories by Cindy Woodsmall?
As always, Cindy quickly draws you into touching stories in the lives of Old Order Amish characters. In each of these stories there are struggles related to some kind of heartache from the past mixed with the chance for romance and joy in the present and future. Obstacles often appear too big to be overcome, but special things always seem to come together at Christmas time. Although these novellas do not have to be read as a series, it is fun to see characters carry over from one story to the next.
Cindy has such a heart for authenticity in her stories, and her love for the Plain people shines through in this trio of stories as it does in everything she writes. I would highly recommend this collection for anyone who is a fan of Amish fiction or of feel-good Christmas stories in general.
If you have read the first two stories as previously published books, you will find The Dawn of Christmas only in this three-in-one edition. The publisher is, however, offering the collection in a very affordable paperback.
Thank you to the Blogging for Books program which provided me this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
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Review 13 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Return To Apple Ridge For Three Wonderful Visits
Date:November 20, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Cindy Woodsmall in her new book, “Christmas in Apple Ridge” published by WaterBrook Press brings us a Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas.
From the back cover: Experience the holidays with the Plain folk of Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania, in these touching novellas centered around love, romance, heartache, and restoration from best-selling authorCindy Woodsmall.
The Sound of Sleigh Bells
Beth Hertzler is unable to let go of a past tragedy, but when she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds. Determined that her niece meet the gifted artist, her aunt tracks him down, but it’s not that simple – will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love?
Beth Hertzler is unable to let go of a past tragedy, but when she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds. Determined that her niece meet the gifted artist, her aunt tracks him down, but it’s not that simple – will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love?
The Christmas Singing
Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve. Brokenhearted, Mattie moves away and pursues her longtime dream of becoming a cake decorator, and even finds a new beau. But when Mattie is forced to return home three years later, will learning the truth behind Gideon’s rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?
Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve. Brokenhearted, Mattie moves away and pursues her longtime dream of becoming a cake decorator, and even finds a new beau. But when Mattie is forced to return home three years later, will learning the truth behind Gideon’s rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?
The Dawn of Christmas
Sadie enjoys her freedom away from home and her mission trips to Peru, but after four years, her Old Order Amish family insists it’s time to come home and settle down. Levi, a bachelor who distrusts women after a family heartbreak, also has no desire for romance. To keep their families from meddling in their lives, Sadie and Levi devise a plan—but soon discover that the walls around their hearts are breaking down. Can they let go of their prejudices, learn to trust each other, and embrace a future together?
Sadie enjoys her freedom away from home and her mission trips to Peru, but after four years, her Old Order Amish family insists it’s time to come home and settle down. Levi, a bachelor who distrusts women after a family heartbreak, also has no desire for romance. To keep their families from meddling in their lives, Sadie and Levi devise a plan—but soon discover that the walls around their hearts are breaking down. Can they let go of their prejudices, learn to trust each other, and embrace a future together?
I like Apple Ridge. I wish that all cities and towns could be like Apple Ridge because the people of this town know each other and pull together in times of hardship. These three stories all center around Christmas time so if you are not in the mood for Christmas yet you will be by the time you finish reading. Yes, there is trouble in each story but trouble helps the characters grow stronger and to each other. And there is romance. Why else read these stories if it were not for the romance? Spending time in Apple Ridge is time well spent. If you don’t already have the first two stories then you will enjoy reading them for the first time. If you already do then the third story is brand new and you probably will enjoy reading the first two again. Either way it is great to visit in Apple Ridge and I look forward to more return visits.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Press for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Review 14 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Three lovely stories
Date:November 18, 2012
Lindz2012
Location:Gastonville
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This book has 3 stories in one. I enjoyed them all. The three stories are connected to the previous story in this book. It also mentions Aden and Annie in the last story called "The Dawn of Christmas".
The first story in the book in about Beth Hertzler and somewhat about her aunt Lizzy. The story revels some secrets throughout the book and a romance forms between Beth and Jonah. Will Beth take a chance at second love. Read to find out. You could read the the book called "The Sound of Sleigh Bells" to read about Beth and Jonah and Beth's aunt Lizzy.
The second story is about Mattie and Gideon. Mattie is living in Ohio for some time but something happen to bring her home to Apple Ridge. Her cousin Beth and Lizzy wedding. Though coming home will Mattie learn the truth of Gideon's break in the engagement on Christmas eve. Well they get back together. To find out what happens you can read it or you could read the book called "The Christmas Singing". You can read about Gideon and Mattie and about Lizzy and Beth weddings.
The third story is about Sadie and Levi. Levi is a cousin to Beth and Mattie in someway. Sadie and Levi do not trust the other gender. Though the way they met is somewhat strange that Sadie came and found him laying in the hay-field hurt. Can Sadie and Levi let go of their prejudices and learn to trust each other. You also get to hear about Lizzy and Beth and also about Mattie. There the other couple that is mention that is Aden and Annie. You can read about Aden and Annie story in the book called "The Scent of Cherry Blossoms". If you want to read about Sadie and Levi you can be getting the book called "The Dawn of Christmas".
If you want all three of the stories you can get this book called "Christmas in Apple Ridge".
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Review 15 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Date:November 11, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Christmas in Apple Ridge is a collection of three books in one by beloved author Cindy Woodsmall. Each novel is connected by characters who show up in the other novels but you can read one alone and not be lost at all :)
Cindy Woodsmall is one of my favorite authors. Her settings in the Amish country amid Amish people are a glimpse into the lifestyles of a fascinating people.
Cindy Woodsmall is one of my favorite authors. Her settings in the Amish country amid Amish people are a glimpse into the lifestyles of a fascinating people.
I enjoyed all of these stories, but I think my favorite was The Sound of Sleigh Bells. In this story an Amish girl who has decided that she does not want to ever marry because of a bad experience with her previous fiance finds herself caught up in the life of a young Amish man due to some matchmaking meddling by a friend. I liked this story because of the humor in it as well as the characters.
This book would make a great Christmas gift for the reader in your life, or someone who is interested in the Amish community. I give it 5 stars!!!
I was provided this book free of charge for an honest review...which I have given here! You will not be disappointed with this one ! :)
I was provided this book free of charge for an honest review...which I have given here! You will not be disappointed with this one ! :)
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Review 16 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Heartwarming Christmas novellas
Date:November 8, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Christmas In Apple Ridge is a collection of three Cindy Woodsmall Christmas novellas wrapped in one. They are sure to warm your heart this Christmas season.
The Sound of Sleigh Bells
While unable to let go of a past tragedy, Beth, finds a remarkable, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow. She is touched by this carving and can't understand why. Beth's aunt becomes determined to find and have her niece, Beth, meet this talented artist. After tracking him down, Beth finds that this artist isn't just gifted with carving. Jonah, after much struggle of his own with his past, decides to restore the sleigh in his barn. Beth and Jonah learn much about healing through the sound of sleigh bells.
While unable to let go of a past tragedy, Beth, finds a remarkable, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow. She is touched by this carving and can't understand why. Beth's aunt becomes determined to find and have her niece, Beth, meet this talented artist. After tracking him down, Beth finds that this artist isn't just gifted with carving. Jonah, after much struggle of his own with his past, decides to restore the sleigh in his barn. Beth and Jonah learn much about healing through the sound of sleigh bells.
The Christmas Singing
Mattie loves her new life in Ohio. She's trying her best to put Gideon behind her and start her life over. Gideon was Mattie's first true love....and heartbreak. She still questions what it was that caused Gideon to find interest in someone else...an Englisher, of all people. But Gideon holds a secret. He believes he's done Mattie a favor setting her free. But is this a decision he ends up regretting? After Mattie's bakery burns down and leaves Mattie injured, Gideon rushes to Mattie's side but his secret still surrounds the walls of his heart. Sol, Mattie's new love, is confused as to Gideon's return after breaking Mattie's heart. Mattie goes back home to Pennsylvania to visit Mamm and Daed for the holidays, while recovering from her injuries. Being closer to Gideon, brings about more heart wounds than she bargained for. Mattie needs to decide where she'll spend her favorite night of the year, Christmas Eve...her birthday...in order to enjoy The Christmas Singing.
Mattie loves her new life in Ohio. She's trying her best to put Gideon behind her and start her life over. Gideon was Mattie's first true love....and heartbreak. She still questions what it was that caused Gideon to find interest in someone else...an Englisher, of all people. But Gideon holds a secret. He believes he's done Mattie a favor setting her free. But is this a decision he ends up regretting? After Mattie's bakery burns down and leaves Mattie injured, Gideon rushes to Mattie's side but his secret still surrounds the walls of his heart. Sol, Mattie's new love, is confused as to Gideon's return after breaking Mattie's heart. Mattie goes back home to Pennsylvania to visit Mamm and Daed for the holidays, while recovering from her injuries. Being closer to Gideon, brings about more heart wounds than she bargained for. Mattie needs to decide where she'll spend her favorite night of the year, Christmas Eve...her birthday...in order to enjoy The Christmas Singing.
The Dawn of Christmas
In the newest story in the collection, we meet Sadie, who on the eve of her wedding finds her beloved husband-to-be in a compromising position with her cousin. Sadie's heart is broken, as well as her trust in men. She goes to the mission field, with the blessing of her family, as a way to help heal the wounds of her heart. After four years away, her family believes it's time for her to come home and begin to settle down, but Sadie longs for the mission field of Peru. Sadie returns briefly to her family in hopes that they will allow her to continue her mission work, but one night changes everything for Sadie...and Levi. Levi has lived with his brother, helping to raise his brother's young son, after Levi's sister-in-law walked out on the marriage and being a mom. Levi now distrusts love and women. While out riding late at night, the Fourth of July fireworks spook the horse he's riding and he's thrown, laying injured in a field. Sadie, who also decides to go our for a late night horseback ride, comes across the injured Levi. As Levi recovers from his injuries, he and Sadie develop a friendship. They decide to "keep the peace" of both their families and make it appear they are dating. While deception is never a good thing - Levi and Sadie fall into their own trap and fall in love.
In the newest story in the collection, we meet Sadie, who on the eve of her wedding finds her beloved husband-to-be in a compromising position with her cousin. Sadie's heart is broken, as well as her trust in men. She goes to the mission field, with the blessing of her family, as a way to help heal the wounds of her heart. After four years away, her family believes it's time for her to come home and begin to settle down, but Sadie longs for the mission field of Peru. Sadie returns briefly to her family in hopes that they will allow her to continue her mission work, but one night changes everything for Sadie...and Levi. Levi has lived with his brother, helping to raise his brother's young son, after Levi's sister-in-law walked out on the marriage and being a mom. Levi now distrusts love and women. While out riding late at night, the Fourth of July fireworks spook the horse he's riding and he's thrown, laying injured in a field. Sadie, who also decides to go our for a late night horseback ride, comes across the injured Levi. As Levi recovers from his injuries, he and Sadie develop a friendship. They decide to "keep the peace" of both their families and make it appear they are dating. While deception is never a good thing - Levi and Sadie fall into their own trap and fall in love.
These touching stories will warm your holidays. So grab some hot chocolate, kick back and give yourself a gift of enjoying a Christmas in Apple Ridge!
I'd like to extend my thanks to Blogging For Books for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this review.
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Review 17 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Date:November 2, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
If you have been following my BFB reviews at all, you know how much I love reading about the Amish. I am excited to have been able to review a book from one of my favorite Amish story writers Cindy Woodsmall.
Christmas in Apple Ridge is a 3-in1 collection. You can read the first chapter here. I had read one of the stories "The Christmas Singing" (you can read my review of that story here), but the other 2 were new to me and I loved them.
The other two stories are The Sound of Sleigh Bells and The Dawn of Christmas.
In The Sound of Sleigh Bells Beth Hertzler is struggling with a tragedy that happened over a year ago. It isn't until she finds a carved winter scene that she finds healing. When she meets the artist she finds that they both have lots of things in common and both have healing to go through.
In The Dawn of Christmas Sadie has been gone from home with her family's blessing because of a broken relationship. Her family decides it is time for her to come home, but she is not ready to settle down. She has a lot of trust issues. She meets Levi, who too has major trust issues and they become friends.
Both of these stories were wonderful and I love reading anything by Cindy Woodsmall!
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
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Review 18 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
great read
Date:October 29, 2012
centraleast2
I really anticipated getting this book and was not disappointed. It contains three great stories that deal with looking at things with a different perspective and not letting previous disappointments continue to affect the decisions of the rest of your life. I have read several books by this author and can't wait to read more of her Amish fiction.
The Sound of Sleigh Bells tells the story of Beth and Jonah and how their communications draw them closer together even though they both have a different vision of who they are writing to.
The Chrismas Singing
Mattie is a talented baker and after her shop burns down she returns to her parents home. While there she had to encounter Gideon who she was previously engaged to and work on being civil to.
Gideon still cares for Mattie and had kept a secret from her that caused them to break up.
This story tells how they work on their differences and forgiveness.
Mattie is a talented baker and after her shop burns down she returns to her parents home. While there she had to encounter Gideon who she was previously engaged to and work on being civil to.
Gideon still cares for Mattie and had kept a secret from her that caused them to break up.
This story tells how they work on their differences and forgiveness.
The Dawn of Christmas
This was a new story to add to the story and had an element that tied all of the stories together. Sadie and Levi meet up to try to fool their families, but soon realize that maybe they have more in common than they previously thought.
This was a new story to add to the story and had an element that tied all of the stories together. Sadie and Levi meet up to try to fool their families, but soon realize that maybe they have more in common than they previously thought.
more from this author can be found at www.cindywoodsmall.com
"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review."
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Review 19 for Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
Overall Rating:
Dreaming of a White Christmas?
Date:October 28, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
If you are like me and you're hopelessly dreaming of a white Christmas, read *Christmas in Apple Ridge* by Cindy Woodsmall. Contained within one collection are 3 delightful Amish Christmas stories to warm your holidays: *The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, & The Dawn of Christmas.* You will follow the romancing of Beth and Jonah, Mattie and Gideon, and Sadie and Levi. Add hot chocolate, Amish carvings, sleigh rides, and delicious fancy decorated cupcakes and cakes and you are ready for a White Christmas celebration in Apple Ridge. This was a special collection and readers are sure to love it!
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