WHEN THE SOUL MENDS
by Cindy Woodsmall
Hannah Lapp has received a desperate and confusing call fromher sister, urging her to return home to her Old Order Amish community in Pennsylvania. Two years earlier, Hannah ran away from home after a terrible rape and has settled in the Englischer world. She’s engaged to be married to the wealthy Martin Palmer and isn’t really sure she wants to return home—even for a short visit.
Reluctantly, she answers her sister’s summons, and immediately after her arrival, she meets up with those who ostracized her, including family and former friends. Hannah senses that her sister, Sarah’s mental health is not good, and so she contacts her former fiancé Paul Waddell to work with her. But as Hannah is with Paul more, she begins to doubt her relationship with Martin. Will she ultimately chose Martin and the Englischer life, or Paul and the Plain life?
WHEN THE SOUL MENDS is the third book in the Sister’s of the Quilt series. Readers will want to read When the Heart Cries and When the Morning Comes before reading WHEN THE SOUL MENDS as the story is all tied together.
I enjoyed reconnecting with Hannah, and enjoyed reading about the work she did in the medical field in her new lifestyle. Her long awaited return home was difficult, and I found myself hoping that she could work things out. The faith message is expertly woven in, and the writing is stellar. Don’t miss this series or WHEN THE SOUL MENDS. It is definitely a series worth reading. A glossary of Amish terms is included at the end of the book. $13.99. 352 pages.
Reviewed by Laura V. Hilton
Deena Peterson October 6, 2008
When I first found Cindy Woodsmall’s novels, I was amazed at how much I enjoyed them. Not being a huge fan of Amish stories, I was hooked from the first chapter. That love for Cindy’s writing has continued throughout the series to this third book and stunning conclusion.
We first met Hannah Lapp on the most tragic evening of her young life in “When the Heart Cries”. Then, we traveled with her as she left her childhood home in the Old Amish Order and went to find healing from her deep hurt in “When the Morning Comes”.
Now, Hannah has found healing and hope again…only trouble in Owl’s Perch comes knocking on her door. She is forced to return and re-visit the past. Is she strong enough to face those who shunned her for wrong reasons?
Can Hannah find it in herself to forgive those who’ve misjudged, lied…and even betrayed her heart? And who will Hannah choose…the man who represents all she’s gained…or the one who holds the key to all she’s lost?
With heart and hope and a wonderfully balanced glimpse into the lives of the Old Amish Order and the Mennonite community, I am in love with “When the Soul Mends”. I’m in love with Cindy Woodsmall’s writing!
Margaret Chind October 6, 2008
Wow. That is the main thought that I am left with after finishing this magnificent book. Cindy Woodsmall has done an amazing job with her debut series and I cannot wait to read more from this fabulous author. I enjoyed the first book and really was full of emotion for the characters. I cannot tell you how many times throughout the series I was brought to tears or screaming in anger when the characters would not for themselves.
When the Soul Mends is an incredible book about such depth with a vast amount of heart wrenching drama that is so real and so needed to be read. You could read this book alone, but I strongly suggest you start from the beginning, because only after going through When the Heart Cries to the When the Morning Comes can you really appreciate the beauty and fully healing affects of When the Soul Mends. Can you see how perfect these titles are?
I’m practically speechless, but I want to ramble about how great this book is. The characters are so real, as are their troubles and joys. Cindy really brings you into an Amish/Plain/Englisher world and shows the good, as well as the bad in all cases. After falling into their world in the first two novels and screaming for answers with the cliff hangers those two left me in, Cindy has answered everything in more depth and better than I ever could have imagined. I’m completely satisfied with this series and you can bet it is on my keeper shelf.
By Margaret Chind