The Hope of Refuge

WOODSMALL, CINDY

THE HOPE OF REFUGE

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.

Fearful of the strange Englischer woman causing turmoil for her family, Ephraim's sister Deborah tries to focus on the marriage and home she longs to being with Mahlon Stolzfus. Her dreams are threatened when her fiance begins behaving oddly, withdrawing, causing concern for both Deborah and Mahlon's mother, Ada. Will Ada's vision for transforming a run-down house unite them all in a common purpose -- or push Mahlon away forever?

Torn between the requirements of his community and trying to do what he believes is right, Ephraim risks losing everything, including a developing friendship with the guarded single mother. And only he knows that the long-held secrets about her family history ripple beneath the surface of Dry Lake -- secrets with the power to tear apart the home Cara is desperately trying to create.

I'M ALMOST SPEECHLESS BECAUSE I DON'T THINK ANYTHING I SAY CAN DO JUSTICE TO THIS BOOK. THE DEPTH OF EMOTION I FELT WHILE READING IT HAD ME BLUBBERING THROUGH MOST OF IT...AND PERIODICALLY LAUGHING THROUGH MY TEARS.

CARA AND EPHRAIM'S STORY IS A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF LIVING TRUE TO YOUR BELIEFS AND NOT BEING AFRAID OF TAKING A STAND FOR THE RIGHT.

CARA IS GRITTY AND GUTSY AND FILLED WITH RAW EMOTION. SHE'S SEEN TOO MUCH...AND SURVIVED IT...TO BE ANYTHING BUT BITTER AND SARDONIC. AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT WOODSMALL WANTS YOU TO BELIEVE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK.

EPHRAIM IS SLOW, STEADY, DELIBERATING, COMPASSIONATE AND IN TUNE WITH THE WHISPERINGS OF THE SPIRIT. HIS FAMILY SITUATION IS COMPLICATED AND, WHILE HE HAS DONE HIS DUTY BY THEM IT HASN'T BEEN WITHOUT PERSONAL COST.

THE TIME WAS RIPE FOR THEM TO MEET -- TO FIND AN OASIS BEYOND THE HARD REALITIES THEY EACH HAD TO FACE.

BE ME TO HER. IT MEANS NOTHING IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK AND EVERYTHING ONCE YOU HAVE. WOODSMALL HAS TOUCHED ON TRUTHS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN EVERYONE'S LIFE. WHATEVER GROUP/RULES/BELIEFS YOU FOLLOW. THIS IS A BOOK ABOUT BOTH THE STRENGTH OF COMMUNITY -- AND THE WEAKNESSES OF IT AS WELL. IT'S ABOUT STANDING TRUE TO YOUR CORE BELIEFS, EVEN WHEN THOSE YOU RESPECT MOST DON'T BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

THIS IS MORE THAN AN EXCEPTIONAL READ. IT IS A MUST READ. A PROFOUND READ. ONE THAT WILL REAFFIRM YOUR FAITH AND REFRESH YOUR OUTLOOK...IF YOU LET IT.