When the Soul Mends

WOODSMALL, CINDY

WHEN THE SOUL MENDS

Rumors and lies left Hannah’s life in tatters; can the truth possibly stitch it back together?

Having fled in disgrace more than two years earlier, Hannah finally has found happiness in the Englischer world, as well as love with Martin Palmer, a man with whom she can safely entrust her heart. But almost immediately after her arrival in Owl’s Perch, the disapproval of those who ostracized her reopens old wounds.

As Hannah encounters former fiance Paul Waddell, truths unknown to her surface about the events during her absence and she faces an agonizing decision. Will she choose the Englischer world and the man who restored her hope, or will she return to the Plain Life-and perhaps her first love?

THIS RIVETING READ HAD ME IN TEARS AT THE END. I JUST BAWLED! WOKE UP ON SUNDAY MORNING WITH RED PUFFY EYES AND EVERYONE AT CHURCH WANTED TO KNOW IF I WAS OKAY.

I NORMALLY DON'T LIKE A CONTINUOUS SERIES LIKE THIS BUT THERE IS NO WAY WOODSMALL COULD HAVE DONE HANNAH'S STORY JUSTICE IN JUST ONE BOOK. I THINK SHE DID A MARVELOUS JOB OF DIVIDING HER JOURNEY BETWEEN THE THREE BOOKS.

WHEN THE SOUL MENDS HAD ME ON TENTERHOOKS. I KNEW HOW I WANTED IT TO END BUT I WASN'T SURE THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE. IN FACT, WOODSMALL CONVINCED ME THAT MY HOPES WOULD PRETTY MUCH BE DASHED UNTIL NEARLY THE END OF THE BOOK. IT WAS AGONIZING TO READ AND MY EMOTIONS JUST KEPT BUILDING WITH EVERY PAGE.

NOW THAT I'VE FINISHED I'M BEREFT. THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THAT OFTEN. I WENT INTO MOURNING BECAUSE I REALIZED I HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO ALL THESE CHARACTERS I'D GROWN TO LOVE. AND, WHILE EVERYTHING HAD A RESOLUTION, NOT EVERYTHING WAS RESOLVED TO MY LIKING (SO LIKE LIFE) SO I WANTED TO HANG AROUND AND MAKE ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING RIGHT FOR HANNAH!

I HAVE TO ADD THAT THOUGH THIS SERIES DEALS WITH THE AMISH FAITH, I FOUND THE SITUATIONS AND STRUGGLES THE CHARACTERS FOUND THEMSELVES IN COULD EASILY BE APPLIED TO ANY BELIEVER IN ANY CONGREGATION. OUR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES ARE MADE UP OF DIVERSE PEOPLE AND STRUGGLES WITH JUDGEMENT, GOSSIP, JEALOUSY AND PREJUDICE ARE JUST AS MUCH A PART OF OUR LIVES. AND THE PROFOUND MESSAGE OF BEING ONE WITH YOUR GOD, MAKING SURE YOU ARE SECURE IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM APPLIES TO EVERYONE. AS DOES STANDING STRONG IN YOUR FAITH. I REVISITED ALL OF THESE ISSUES IN MY OWN LIFE AS I READ THE SISTERS OF THE QUILT SERIES.

AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THIS SERIES IS A MUST READ. START WITH BOOK ONE AND READ THEM ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER...AND HAVE PLENTY OF TISSUES HANDY...AND LOTS OF CHOCOLATE. IT WILL BE THE ONLY COMFORT YOU CAN RELY ON IN PLACES!