Where I share my love of books with reviews, features, giveaways and memes. Family and needlepoint are thrown in from time to time.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Book Tour: The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall (and giveaway!)


The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall - on tour Aug 3-11! Find out more about the book here and enter to win a copy!

I am only about 20 pages into this book and am hooked already! Right away you meet Cara and find she is running with her daughter from an abusive man. She has fleeting memories of a place she went once with her mother, but hasn't been able to pull the entire memory back. I am already pulling for her!

About the book: Raised in foster care and now the widowed mother of a little girl, Cara Moore struggles against poverty, fear, and a relentless stalker. When a trail of memories leads Cara and Lori out of New York City toward an Amish community, she follows every lead, eager for answers and a fresh start. She discovers that long-held secrets about her family history ripple beneath the surface of Dry Lake, Pennsylvania, and it’s no place for an outsider. But one Amish man, Ephraim Mast, dares to fulfill the command he believes that he received from God–“Be me to her”– despite how it threatens his way of life.



Completely opposite of the hard, untrusting Cara, Ephraim’s sister Deborah also finds her dreams crumbling when the man she has pledged to build a life with begins withdrawing from Deborah and his community, including his mother, Ada Stoltzfus. Can the run-down house that Ada envisions transforming unite them toward a common purpose–or push Mahlon away forever? While Ephraim is trying to do what he believes is right, will he be shunned and lose everything–including the guarded single mother who simply longs for a better life? (publicity info)

About the author: Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and The New York Times Best-Seller When the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years.

The Hope of Refuge
Publisher/Publication Date: Waterbrook Press, Aug 11, 2009
ISBN: 978-1400073962
352 pages

For the giveaway - Has anyone ever visited an Amish community? Just let me know yes or no and what your experience was. Please leave an Email Address! Giveaway open to US only and will end Aug 24!

37 comments:

valerie2350 said...

yes - very interesting to see the whole family working together :)

Sue said...

Yes. A couple of different ones in Ohio. Loved the community feeling and the kindness towards others.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

KR said...

No, but I'd love to.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Unknown said...

I haven't but I've always wanted to.

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Beth (BBRB) said...

Not yet. It seems like it would be an interesting place to visit though! The lifestyle is certainly interesting.

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me. I'm dropping in to say hello and thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I have visited an Amish community, but I'm not sure how true an impression we get as tourists.

Thanks for entering me.

carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I've been to a Mennonite community in Wisconsin, and when I lived in Pennsylvania I actually lived in Lancaster County, which is home to many Amish and Mennonites and other "Plain People." As an outsider, I never was exposed to much, except the wonderful food, quilts, and woodwork!

Anonymous said...

Oops, in previous comment forgot to say, please enter me!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

budletsmom said...

I have never been to an amish community I wish I could.

budletsmom at yahoo dot com

wheresmyrain said...

no, but I find it very interesting and have read several novels that take place in an Amish setting. This one looks like a good one as well.
wheresmyrain at yahoo dot com

Mozi Esme said...

My brother-in-law lived in upstate NY, and there were lots of Amish around...

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Winning Readings said...

Not an entry: just letting you know I've posted about this at Winning Readings:

http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/08/hope-of-refuge_03.html

Annette W. said...

I live in Amish country...near Lancaster PA, but have only had the opportunity to visit with one family.

derekannette at gmail dot com

enyl said...

Yes as a small child. They are very industrious, they live a simple life, it was a very religious community.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

Beth(bookaholicmom) said...

Yes I went to Rockome Gardens as a child and was just fascinated with the Amish and how they lived. Their lives somehow seemed much fuller than ours. As an adult I have been to an Amish home in Indiana near my husbands home. I love how warm their homes feel even though they are sparse.

bthgordon[at]yahoo[dot]com

Erin Lowmaster said...

My husband has but I have not. He said he really enjoyed it but missed the internet. LOL

Carol M said...

No, but I would like to.
Carol M
mittens0831 AT aol.com

Annmarie Weeks said...

I personally have never been to Amish country, but my husband did years ago. He brought me back some wonderful crafts & jams/jellies!

Unknown said...

No I haven't actually been to an Amish Community, although where I work there are alot of Amish customers that I have been able to talk to, and I've seen alot of documentaries on tv about them and find it all very interesting.
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com

nfmgirl said...

Yes. I think that anyone who has feels the draw to the sense of peace and community.

nfmgirl AT Gmail DOT com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

Yes, I lived near Elmira and St. Jacobs, Ontario, I just love going there especially to the
markets.
I am a subscriber, count me in.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

CherylS22 said...

Yes - I've visited the Lancaster, PA area many times. I enjoy the wonderful food prepared by Amish people.

Thanks ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

Anonymous said...

Yes, I've visited Lancaster, PA numerous times...loved every minute there.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

ChristyJan said...

No, I've never visited an Amish community ~ but I would like to

hawkes(at)citlink.net

Dawn M. said...

I've never visited an Amish community but I have ate at a Mennonite restaurant. They make wonderful food! My favorite was the homemade noodles. Yum! :0)

Thanks!
librarygrinch at gmail dot com

Sandra K321 said...

No, the only things I know about the Amish is through books.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

Emma said...

Yes I have visited an Amish community. The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

Rue said...

I've visited a Mennonite community once. I was in high school and it was one evening, after dinner, when we were on a youth trip. I remember sitting in this old house, talking with a man and his wife about their life. He was "retired" from farming and now did a lot of painting of houses. I also remember, as we were leaving, the sun was setting. We all stopped and just watched it set over the fields and the farms. It was one of those beautiful sunsets that turns the whole sky golden orange. Just beautiful.

Thanks for the chance to win!
ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com

Renee G said...

No not yet. But, I would love to visit.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

Cindy said...

No, I haven't had a chance to do that, but I would love to someday!

Thanks for a great giveaway! I would love to read this book!

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

Natalie W said...

I've never been to an Amish community but hopefully will one day.I'm very intrigued by their lifestyle. Great giveaway!
nataliew2(at)gmail(dot)com

rubynreba said...

I have visited Amish communities in Iowa. I admire the way they live but I would not want to live in one of their communities.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

minishoes1 said...

No, But I would love to. I collect Amish dolls and other amish items. The amish people are hard workers! I would love to spend the day with an amish person. I think it would be interesting. Thanks! jacquecurl1@gmail.com

Luvdaylilies said...

I haven't actually visited an Amish Community but I did stay in a town in Ohio where there was an Amish Community~I think I'd like to visit!
Thanks bunches for the giveaway, sounds like a good read=)
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

Edna said...

I have never been to Amish country but have read enought books to know a lot about them. I really enjoy to read about the Amish, I have books from Wanda B, Cindy W, Beverly Lewis etc. Please enter me into the contest,

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

ossmcalc said...

No, but I would love very much to visit an Amish community.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

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