Cindy Woodsmall's When the Morning Comes ~ Reviewed

When the Morning Comes
Cindy Woodsmall
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 4, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 140007293X
ISBN-13: 978-1400072934

A two for one review. Ane and Kelly both read and reviewed When the Morning Comes. Cindy will visit Novel Journey today, also. She shares some writing wisdom with our readers.

Description:

Her relationship with fiancé Paul Waddell in tatters, Hannah Lapp has fled her secluded Old Order Amish community in hopes of finding a new home in Ohio with her shunned aunt. Hampered by limited education and hiding her true identity, Hannah struggles it navigate the confusing world if the Englischers.

Back in Owl’s Perch, Pennsylvania, Paul is wracked with regret over his treatment of Hannah. Fearing for her safety, he tries to convince Hannah’s remaining allies—brother Luke, best friend Mary, and loyal Matthew Esh—to help search for his love. Hannah’s father, however, remains steadfastly convinced of her sinful behavior. His blindness to his family’s pain extends to her sister, Sarah, who shows signs of increasing instability.

Convinced her former life is irreparably destroyed, Hannah finds purpose and solace in life with her aunt and in a growing friendship with Martin Palmer. Will the countless opportunities in her new life persuade Hannah that her place is amongst the Englischers—or will she give in to her heart’s call to return and face her past?

Ane's Review:

Book two in the Sisters of the Quilt series, When Morning Comes is the perfect sequel to When the Heart Cries. As Hannah comes of age in this journey of faith, she’s exposed to a new world of opportunity. A world where many of her dreams can come true. Woodsmall is a gifted writer who once again turned off my inner editor, enabling me to suspend disbelief and experience Hannah’s life-changing challenges.

Have you ever read a sequel to a book you loved, and the author took the story in a direction you didn’t want it to go? I was surprised with the end of When Morning Comes, yet it had a certain rightness to it, a satisfying end. But it isn’t the end. There’s more to Hannah’s story to come. I for one, can’t wait to read it.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

Kelly's Review:

Rich with authentic details of Amish community and powerful in its theme of hope beyond measure, When the Morning Comes, succeeds as a compelling follow-up to Cindy Woodsmall's best-selling debut novel, When the Heart Cries.

Demonstrating both the sweetness of God's grace and the agony of living within a fallen world, When the Morning Comes, offers a look at several entwined families and the consequences for choices made.

Hannah is the main female character in this novel. However, multiple dramas woven through her story are as compelling as hers. Mary holds a secret that eats away at her. Sarah's thoughts consume her and are possibly beginning to consume others in her community.

Well-written with rich details and an abundance of God's sovereignty, When the Morning Comes, offers much to book lovers. I did not read When the Heart Cries, but didn't feel lost in attempting to understand Hannah's story. I would like to go back and pick up Heart Cries while I wait for book three.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer
http://kellyklepfer.blogspot.com/