The Winnowing Season begins as Rhode Side Stands and Kings' Orchard combine with others to buy an abandoned apple orchard in Maine in need of restoration following a foreclosure. The previous destruction of Rhoda Byler's garden and her livelihood, along with tornado damage to the Kings' Orchard, motivates them to begin again and establish a new Amish community. Rhoda Byler and her brother Steven and his family, and two of the King brothers, Samuel and Jacob, and their sister, Leah, agree with Landon, Rhoda's longtime Englisch assistant and driver, to consider the land near Landon's grandmother's home. As they begin their preparations to move and say their goodbyes to families and friends, Jacob is called back to his past rumschpringe days that interfere with his now and future. He and Rhoda have newly begun courting and his allegiance to his past and present are not clear as he keeps secrets. Everyone seems to have silences of their own, except for Landon, who just wants to keep his job.
As Rhoda unintentionally becomes part of the outside world, she meets people who will both hamper and shelter her forward progress. There is growth as each discovers their inner pulling for what is right and who they are and become in the process.
I really like this series and the exploring of self motives and caring for others that is shown throughout. I especially think of Lamentations 2:14 when I think of Jacob ~ my paraphrase ~ It is necessary for your iniquity to be exposed so as to release you from captivity. This is so true when he finds that by taking a risk for himself, he finds truth.
Leah finds that what she was always searching and seeking for was within reach where she was all the time.
I look forward to book 3, For Every Season, as the Amish Vines and Orchards trilogy comes to a close. I am hoping there will be a new series of these interesting protagonists and those around them.
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Releases August 20, 2013
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Meet Cindy Woodsmall!
Where do you begin introducing Cindy Woodsmall? Mom, wife, and friend, Cindy has written true-to-life stories that reach the heart of all readers of her Amish-fiction come to life, and her true-life sharing with her friend, Miriam Flaud. I am really enjoying this current series and look forward to book 3!~* Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times and CBA best-selling author of numerous works of fiction and one work of nonfiction. Her connection with the Amish community has been featured widely in national media and throughout Christian news outlets. She lives outside Atlanta with her family. *~
*** Thank you to WaterBrook Multnomah blogging for Books for sending me a copy of The Winnowing Season to review in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
This series has really intrigued me. I love Rhoda. I am so curious as to how it's going to all wrap up!
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