Ties That Bind (Amish of Summer Grove series) by Cindy Woodsmall {Review & $10 Family Christian App. Cert. Giveaway}

About the book: 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 café in historic Summer Grove to help support her family’s ever-expanding brood and to keep any other Amish from being lured into the Englisch life by Quill Schlabach.

Five years ago Quill, along with her dear friend Frieda, ran off together, and Ariana still carries the wounds of that betrayal. When she unexpectedly encounters him, she soon 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 may hurt her, including the reasons he left. After returning to Summer Grove on another matter, he unearths secrets about Ariana and her family that she is unaware of. His love and loyalty to her beckons him to try to win her trust and help her find a way to buy the café—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.

My thoughts: This is not the typical Amish novel where the beautiful, dedicated, and tranquil life within the community rolls along like a buggy trip through the lush countryside. No. A darker side of the community of believers is brought forth. Secrets. Fear. A much different community of people inhabit Summer Grove.

As typical with Amish communities, there is shunning when a member leaves the community for the outside world. Ariana, the young Amish woman who felt the heart-wrenching betrayal five years prior to the opening pages of Ties That Bind when her beloved Quill abruptly leaves the community and takes her dear Frieda with him. However, typical of a sweet Amish lady, Ariana continues to care for Quill's mother who is ill and all alone in the community.

I was certainly surprised as Ties That Bind unfolded its many layers revealing feelings, faith, and futility. I was surprised at the fear and secrecy that surround an individual's or a families' plans to leave the community.

This is a well written book with characters that are well developed and believable. The emotional experiences of the characters is well expressed by the author.

While I never enjoy turmoil, secrets, and lives lived in fear, the author has written a believable story and it is one I can highly recommend.

Take a look inside (link from Waterbrook Press book page)

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the Blogging for Books Review Program on behalf of Waterbrook Press to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine and I was not compensated. The Family Christian $10 Appreciation Certificate is provided by them and mailed directly to the winner.