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)
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)
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:
yes - very interesting to see the whole family working together :)
Yes. A couple of different ones in Ohio. Loved the community feeling and the kindness towards others.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
No, but I'd love to.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
I haven't but I've always wanted to.
bjhopper(at)me(dot)com
Not yet. It seems like it would be an interesting place to visit though! The lifestyle is certainly interesting.
BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com
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.
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
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!
Oops, in previous comment forgot to say, please enter me!
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
I have never been to an amish community I wish I could.
budletsmom at yahoo dot com
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
My brother-in-law lived in upstate NY, and there were lots of Amish around...
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
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
I live in Amish country...near Lancaster PA, but have only had the opportunity to visit with one family.
derekannette at gmail dot com
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
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
My husband has but I have not. He said he really enjoyed it but missed the internet. LOL
No, but I would like to.
Carol M
mittens0831 AT aol.com
I personally have never been to Amish country, but my husband did years ago. He brought me back some wonderful crafts & jams/jellies!
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
Yes. I think that anyone who has feels the draw to the sense of peace and community.
nfmgirl AT Gmail DOT com
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
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
Yes, I've visited Lancaster, PA numerous times...loved every minute there.
karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
No, I've never visited an Amish community ~ but I would like to
hawkes(at)citlink.net
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
No, the only things I know about the Amish is through books.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
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.
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
No not yet. But, I would love to visit.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
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
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
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
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
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
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
No, but I would love very much to visit an Amish community.
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
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