The Scent of Cherry Blossoms: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country

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The Scent of Cherry Blossoms: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country (Apple Ridge)

by Cindy Woodsmall (Goodreads Author)

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 416 ratings · 115 reviews

Annie Martin loves the Plain ways of her Old Order Mennonite people, like those revered by her beloved grandfather. Retreating from a contentious relationship with her mother, Annie goes to live with her Daadi Moses in Apple Ridge.

But as spring moves into Pennsylvania and Annie spends time amongst the cherry trees with the handsome Aden Zook, she wishes she could forget h...more

Hardcover, 208 pages

Published February 21st 2012 by WaterBrook Press

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Feb 09, 2012 Taylor rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall is the first Amish fiction book I’ve read in years. I think it was a great re-introduction back into the Amish and Mennonite world. Cindy Woodsmall writes very vividly, so it was very easy to imagine the scenery and characters interacting together. The character of Annie Martin was refreshing to read, especially since she had quite a bit of spunk. The themes of acceptance and personal forgiveness were well written and the dialogue between character...more

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May 06, 2013 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Annie Martin, an Old Order Mennonite, has a strained relationship with her mother. She feels she cannot get through to her about her lack of parenting skills. After an argument, her mom sends her to stay with her Daadi Moses. Annie adores her grandfather and loves spending time with him, but she is hurt that her mother has essentially thrown her out. She starts working at the diner her grandfather co-owns. As she works alongside Aden Zook, who is Old Order Amish, she begins to realize how much s...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Susan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

Annie, a sweet Mennonite girl, joyfully begins to help at the diner her grandfather rents to an Amish family that is still feeling the effects of an accident that paralyzed one son years earlier. Though the accident left Roman bitter about his romantic prospects and inability to do physical labor, it has allowed Roman’s twin Aden to grow more confident in his own abilities in spite of the stutter that has kept him quiet for years. Within days Aden is coming out of his shell around Annie, and Rom...more

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Oct 11, 2012 Leslie Preddy rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: grades 9 through adult

Two people are ensnared in the turmoil of opposing religious doctrines, both of which forbid love outside the church community. It pits familial responsibilities and religious laws, against their love for one another.

Annie and Aden are young people in love, from two different religious backgrounds. While the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite religions have many similarities, they differ enough to make marriage outside their respective faiths taboo. For Annie and Aden, it is a choice of wh...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Henk-Jan van der Klis rated it 4 of 5 stars

In America live plain people. Plain people can be divided in mainly 2 groups: Mennonites and Amish. And between those groups, are different communities who allow different modern and western facilities as electricity, telephone and other things. The scent of cherry blossoms is a love story about Annie (Mennonite) and Aden (Amish).
Because Annie has a quarrel with her mother, she stays temporarily with her grandfather. In the same town as her grandfather, also live Amish people. Her grandfather is...more In America live plain people. Plain people can be divided in mainly 2 groups: Mennonites and Amish. And between those groups, are different communities who allow different modern and western facilities as electricity, telephone and other things. The scent of cherry blossoms is a love story about Annie (Mennonite) and Aden (Amish).
Because Annie has a quarrel with her mother, she stays temporarily with her grandfather. In the same town as her grandfather, also live Amish people. Her grandfather is even a business partner of Adens family. Because Amish people can’t have electricity and it is a regulation of the law that restaurants do have electricity, otherwise they have to close their business, Adens family have an agreement with Annies grandfather. Because he is a Mennonite, he has electricity and can supply Adens family.
Adens family has been struck hard. Because of the same accident, Adens brother Roman can’t walk anymore and also his father has a poor health and can’t walk or stand all day. Aden has taken over the family diner, with Roman to help him. But Roman was a mechanic…. Ever since the accident Roman is very gloom, and hasn’t much faith anymore. He is dependent of his brother, who has his own grief. Then Annie comes to stay with her grandfather. She helped out in the diner before, and when Roman tries to help his uncle, repairing his generator, she helps out in the diner again.
Then it becomes clear, that Adens still loves Annie and she falls in love with him. But there can’t be any future for them, because both of them have joined their own church. If they want to marry someone of the other faith, they either have to leave their church, and be banned, or wait a long time before the other is accepted in their church and faith. Will all be well in the end?
The name of the novel is related to the orchard of Annie’s grandfather. He planted every year a cherry tree while he waited for permission to marry Annie’s grandmother. And after their marriage, he continued planting a tree a year. Their only daughter, Annie’s mother, was forced to marry after getting caught kissing with a boy, when fully clothed sitting on her bed. Of course, that was not a happy marriage and Annie’s father walked out on them 10 years ago.
Nowadays in the western world, we can’t imagine that different religions can prevent a marriage.
Then again, 50 or 60 years back, people from different churches couldn’t marry, with approval from their families.
I liked reading the story. Later, when I thought about the book, the story of Romeo and Julia came to mind. Will Aden and Annie yield to the counteraction of everybody and anyone or is there a happy end?(less)

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Sep 08, 2012 Evangeline Han rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is my second Cindy Woodsmall novella and I absolutely loved it. The Scent of Cherry Blossoms has a similar setting to The Christmas Singing; some of the characters from the latter novella make appearances in the former and vice-versa.

I requested this book for review because the Mennonite "vs." Amish topic caught my attention. I was curious and wanted to find out whether the couple in love would remain in the Mennonite or Amish community. As I read, I fell in love with the story and characte...more This is my second Cindy Woodsmall novella and I absolutely loved it. The Scent of Cherry Blossoms has a similar setting to The Christmas Singing; some of the characters from the latter novella make appearances in the former and vice-versa.

I requested this book for review because the Mennonite "vs." Amish topic caught my attention. I was curious and wanted to find out whether the couple in love would remain in the Mennonite or Amish community. As I read, I fell in love with the story and characters.

Something that really stands out right from the beginning is the way Cindy does not sugarcoat disagreements the Mennonites and Amish have among themselves. Frequently, bonnet fiction depict Plain people as leading very peaceful lifestyles and having very submissive children. Thus, you could imagine my surprise when I read about the young characters having disagreements with their elders. It was shocking, really.

It was also eye-opening how the Mennonite and Amish cultures differ. Prior to reading The Scent of Cherry Blossoms, I did not know that there is such a group as the Old Order Mennonite. I had always assumed that Mennonites are way more modern than the Amish, judging by the Mennonites in one of the Plain forums in cyberspace.

The main characters are endearing. Whether it is Aden who stutters, kind-hearted Annie, or frustrated Roman, you can easily empathize with their struggles and feel disappointed when they make mistakes. My favorite character is Aden. He is this young guy who is struggling between the decision of being with the girl he loves and keeping the Amish rules he has been taught from young. His family opposes the idea of him being in a relationship with a girl not belonging to the Amish community. To summarize it all, he is between a rock and a hard place.

All in all, The Scent of Cherry Blossoms quickly became another favorite book for me. The complications in the story along with what we can learn about the Mennonites and Amish makes this book an enjoyable and hard-to-put-down read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through their Blogging for Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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Sep 03, 2012 Margaret rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: review-books

While I'm not a big reader of Amish Fiction like my mother is, I saw this book and decided that I wanted to read it. I loved the premise of the forbidden love between Aeden and Annie and by the end of the first chapter of the story, I was sucked in. I could not put the book down at all until I was finished. Now for me to get sucked in, you know the story has to be well written.

I loved the way the story was crafted around Annie's previous visits to her grandfather to build a history with her and...more

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Aug 20, 2012 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the story of the complications–and the fireworks of exploding tempers that arise–when an Old Order Amish man, Aden Zook, falls in love with an Old Order Mennonite girl, Annie Martin. For those of us who are neither Amish or Mennonite, our first thoughts might be that people of those faiths are so similar there shouldn’t be any problems intermingling in marriage. Au contraire! By reading this book, we discover Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonites are actually worlds apart. It would se...more This is the story of the complications–and the fireworks of exploding tempers that arise–when an Old Order Amish man, Aden Zook, falls in love with an Old Order Mennonite girl, Annie Martin. For those of us who are neither Amish or Mennonite, our first thoughts might be that people of those faiths are so similar there shouldn’t be any problems intermingling in marriage. Au contraire! By reading this book, we discover Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonites are actually worlds apart. It would seem easier for an individual of either of these faiths to marry a total outsider, than attempt to make a match between these two beliefs.

The families of both Annie and Aden are totally against this romance and attempt to break them up in a variety of ways. To further complicate the matter, Annie’s grandfather, her Daadi Moses, is in a business partnership with Aden’s family. This is a business alliance that has existed for more than one generation with these two families. When Daadi Moses learns of the romantic relationship, he threatens to pull out of the business–which would cause complete financial ruin for Aden and his family.

What will Annie and Aden do? Will they go against their families risking shunning from both their religious communities, as well as, their own families? Will they sacrifice Aden’s family’s business for the sake of their love, knowing the Zook family has no other source of income? Can they break off their relationship, and go their separate ways? How could they live with themselves hurting their loved ones, but can they live without each other? There does not seem to be a good answer no matter what Annie and Aden might choose.

Intermingled in the story is the cherry orchard. It was planted originally for the hope of love two generations earlier, and its location becomes a place for current love to bloom. Will Annie and Aden’s love still exist once the blossoms have left the cherry orchard?

This is the third book I have read by this author about Amish life. I think this story is the most true to life–as far as how a relationship like this would be handled in the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite communities. This story was beautifully written, and it kept me wondering how it would resolve all these questions up to the end. Faith was interwoven as a part of the narrative. This was an enjoyable account and pleasant to read. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for an easily readable tale.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.

My blog: http://fushiacat.wordpress.com/ (less)

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Aug 03, 2012 Cecelia rated it 3 of 5 stars

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2012/08/...

When young Annie Martin leaves her mother’s home, she takes up residence in her grandfather’s house. Her grandfather (Daadi Moses), lives next door to Aden Zook and Aden’s family. Aden’s family owns a diner and that’s how they make their living. Since Aden’s father and Moses are in business together via ownership of the diner, the diner is allowed to have electricity.

The Zook family is Amish and the Martins are Mennonite. The Amish are forbidden from using...more

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Jul 31, 2012 Hannah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish

Wow, wow, wow!!!! It has been a long time since a book has totally engrossed me into its world. "The Scent of Cherry Blossoms" did just that.

The main character, Annie, is Old Order Mennonite. She is going through trying times with her mother, and her mother sends her to live with her grandfather. While there, she helps out at a diner that her grandfather partially owns. This is where the Zook family enters, and they are Old Order Amish. Twins Aden and Roman have been close all their lives, even...more

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Jul 25, 2012 Carli rated it 5 of 5 stars

Annie Martin, an Old Oder Mennonite, has a dilemma; embrace her Old Order Mennonite beliefs or turn away for the man she loves. Gentle and kind, Aden Zook has his own demons to wrestle. Sometimes love does not conquer all.

This Amish romance was different than others I've read. The introduction of the Old Order Mennonite ways was exciting and added additional depth to the story. Additionally, I found myself as drawn to the subplot as I was to the main story line.

I will admit that the first chapt...more

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Jul 13, 2012 Jettiep rated it 5 of 5 stars

When Annie and her mother had words, her mother sent her to spend time with her grandfather. Her grandfather sent her to help the neighbors who owned a cafe that he had part interest in, never thinking that a Mennonite would fall in love with an Amish man. Annie and Aden had known each other for years, but now that they were older, the attraction began to worry both his parents and her grandfather.Annie and Aden would meet in the cherry orchard at night, and walk through the trees. Aden's twin,...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Robin rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms
Cindy Woodsmall
Summary of Book: Annie Martin loves the Plain ways of her Old Order Mennonite people, like those revered by her beloved grandfather. Retreating from a contentious relationship with her mother, Annie goes to live with her Daadi Moses in Apple Ridge. But as spring moves into Pennsylvania and Annie spends time amongst the cherry trees with the handsome Aden Zook, she wishes she could forget how deeply the lines between the Old Order Amish and Old Order Men...more

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Jul 05, 2012 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

The tale of young love separated by family loyalty is as old as Shakespeare, yet it remains a well-used plot in today's novels. In This Amish tale by Cindy Woodsmall, Annie and Aden find themselves falling in love as they work together in his family's restaurant. While both are believers, she is Mennonite and he Amish. Their relationship could not only separate them from their families but also ruin his family's livelihood, which is in part run by Annie's grandfather. Will the strength of their...more The tale of young love separated by family loyalty is as old as Shakespeare, yet it remains a well-used plot in today's novels. In This Amish tale by Cindy Woodsmall, Annie and Aden find themselves falling in love as they work together in his family's restaurant. While both are believers, she is Mennonite and he Amish. Their relationship could not only separate them from their families but also ruin his family's livelihood, which is in part run by Annie's grandfather. Will the strength of their love be enough to bring the two families and communities together?

I'm not a huge fan of Amish fiction just because I feel the plots start to all seem the same, but I felt Woodsmall branched out in her plot...but she added so many plots that the story became diluted in their development and therefore less poignant. In addition to Aden and Annie, readers were introduced to Annie's family--her parents are separated (they can't divorce), and Annie and her family are at odds. Aden has a stuttering problem, and his twin Roman is stuck in a wheel-chair after an accident. Roman is dealing with feeling like less of a man because he depends on Aden's strength. He meets a fiery girl who is a verbal match for him. On top of all that, you have the Mennonite/Amish conflict.

While I enjoyed the story of Aden and Annie, I felt it was boggled down with too many side plots that were wrapped up way too quickly. However, fans of sweet romance will enjoy Aden and Annie's story. I loved their meetings in the cherry blossoms (and the story behind how they were planted), and I love the tree symbolism at the end of the book. Instead of telling both brothers' romances, I would have liked to see better development of Aden and Annie as characters themselves, with each other, and with those around them.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Fans of Amish fiction will enjoy it, more so than those who are casual readers of Amish tales.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Jun 22, 2012 Ibjoy1953 rated it 5 of 5 stars

My Thoughts on this Book!

I enjoy Cindy Woodsmall’s books because they always have a unique twist to them. And this one is no different. Long time friends Aden and Annie were secretly attracted to each other and had been for a long time, thought they could not let one another know because they could never be together for a lifetime because of their religious beliefs. When Annie’s mother suggested Annie go stay with her grandfather who lived next to Aden’s family, Annie started helping out in the...more

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Jun 17, 2012 Meagan Myhren-bennett rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, christian-living, dating, family, fiction, friendship, romance, mother-daughter-relationship

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

By Cindy Woodsmall

Annie and Aden couldn't be more different. Annie is Old Order Mennonite and Aden is Old Order Amish. But their friendship could destroy their families and their communities.

Annie's grandfather Moses Burkholder is in business with the Zook family. Being Mennonite Moses can supply the electricity to the Zook's diner is required to have. This partnership has lasted for years.
When Aden's father David and his brother Roman were injured during a farming a...more The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

By Cindy Woodsmall

Annie and Aden couldn't be more different. Annie is Old Order Mennonite and Aden is Old Order Amish. But their friendship could destroy their families and their communities.

Annie's grandfather Moses Burkholder is in business with the Zook family. Being Mennonite Moses can supply the electricity to the Zook's diner is required to have. This partnership has lasted for years.
When Aden's father David and his brother Roman were injured during a farming accident five years earlier, Moses and Annie both helped out at the diner. During this time Annie and Aden developed a strong friendship, a friendship that had the possibility of lasting throughout their lives.

When Annie comes to visit her Daadi Moses, she helps at the diner while Roman is gone for a week. As Annie and Aden work together she helps Aden with his stuttering, something no one else has been able to do. Annie and Aden also spend time in Moses's cherry orchard, the orchard he planted as a sign of his commitment and pledge to marriage Esther all those many years ago.

But when Moses fears that Annie and Aden's friendship might be becoming something more he threatens to end his partnership if Aden and Annie don't break off all contact with each other. Roman is determined to separate Aden and Annie but what are his motivations? Are they self-centered or family centered?

But Annie and Aden are torn. They know they should not see each other because of the vows they have each taken when they joined their respective faiths, but they are drawn to each other.

But can the threat of losing everything tear them apart or will they follow their hearts. But what is the greater love – love of faith, family and community or the love of the heart's soul mate? As Annie and Aden try to decide what God wants and expects of them, they cling to the promise of the cheery blossoms. Will the scent of the cherry blossoms bring two gentle loving hearts together or will it be a reminder of what might have been?

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms is a story that draws you in. You care about Annie and Aden and you understand the fears of their respective families. It is a story of love and sacrifice.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
Want to learn more about Cindy visit her website here or her Bio page on Multnomah.
Visit Multnomah to find out more about The Scent of Cherry Blossoms. (less)

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May 30, 2012 Linda rated it 3 of 5 stars

After our book club jokingly proposed writing a romance novel, I began to research them. And let me tell you, the majority of them are not worth reading. There are many genres including the ever-popular Regency (the less successful ones are completely anachronistic and unbelievable), Viking, Pirate, historical, medical, cowboy, etc etc. But I was surprised to learn that there is a genre of Amish romances, read by both Plain people themselves and romance fans. The Scent of Cherry Blossoms was in...more

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May 15, 2012 Paperback Dolls rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-stars, contemporary-romance, reviewed-2012, reviewed-by-chrissy

Originally posted at PaperbackDolls.com.

I am not quite sure how I became so interested in the world of Amish romance. My typical choice of books usually involves steamy love scenes, murder mystery, and paranormal creatures with a lust for violence and accumulating sex partners. When I learned that Amish romance was actually a genre I couldn’t believe my ears. I had to see it for myself. It began with Cindy Woodsmall’s Sisters of the Quilt trilogy and skyrocketed from there. So whenever I need a...more Originally posted at PaperbackDolls.com.

I am not quite sure how I became so interested in the world of Amish romance. My typical choice of books usually involves steamy love scenes, murder mystery, and paranormal creatures with a lust for violence and accumulating sex partners. When I learned that Amish romance was actually a genre I couldn’t believe my ears. I had to see it for myself. It began with Cindy Woodsmall’s Sisters of the Quilt trilogy and skyrocketed from there. So whenever I need a break from otherworldly creatures and sex kittens, I turn to the world that Cindy Woodsmall has created in Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania.

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms is the Amish romance version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In a world where it is forbidden for Mennonites and Old Order Amish to become romantically involved, childhood friends Annie Martin (of the Mennonites) and Aden Zook (of the Old Order Amish)find themselves drawn to each other in a way that they have never experienced before. After being abandoned by her father in New York and despising the manner in which her mother allows her siblings to behave, Annie must return to Apple Ridge and her grandfather, Moses, to gain a perspective on the life that she leads. Annie couldn’t be happier; she will be arriving just in time for the blossoming of the cherry trees in her grandfather’s orchard. She tries to make herself useful by helping the Zook family run their diner since Roman, Aden’s twin brother who was paralyzed in a farming accident years ago, is assisting his uncle in mechanic work during the busiest time of the year for Zook’s Diner. Annie is overjoyed to see her old friend Aden. But what neither of them counted on was falling in love and the trials and tribulations they must face in order to overcome two worlds that are trying to tear them apart.

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms is a wonderful love story. Combining sorrow, joy, laughter, and journeys to self-discovery, this novel has something for everyone. The interaction between the characters creates tremendous tension while to plot drives them both together and apart.

The characters are endearing, the Amish lingo and history are thoroughly explained, and the setting paints a beautiful image of springtime. (less)

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Apr 17, 2012 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Annie Martin is struggling greatly with how much her family is changing. In fact she is very upset because it seems even her Mamm is not following the ways of their Old Order Mennonite congregation, when she questions, she is sent to stay with her Daadi Moses in Apple Ridge.

For Annie Apple Ridge is and has always been a place of happiness. Probably because it takes her away from the stressful situation at home, and she loves her grand father. But there is more than that, there is Aden Zook.

Aden...more

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Apr 12, 2012 January rated it 3 of 5 stars

Annie Martin is an Old Order Mennonite. After some irreconcilable difference between her and her mother arise, she is sent to live with her grandfather, Daadi Moses in Apple Ridge.

There she meets back up with a childhood friend whose family needs an extra pair of hands in their restaurant. Annie volunteers to help out. But the family is Old Order Amish, and while the two sects tolerate each other, they do not allow interaction between men and women of the two groups.

Unfortunately, Annie has been...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Tammy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Annie Martin and Aden Zook had been friends for five years. They first met when Annie helped out at Zook's Diner when she was 15 years old. Aden's father and twin brother, Roman, were in a farming accident. They couldn't work at the diner for awhile so Annie filled in. Annie's grandfather, Moses Burkholder, co-owned the diner with the Zook's. Whenever Annie visited her grandfather in Apple Ridge, PA, she would also see the Zook's, and make sure to spend time with Aden.

Annie had returned to Apple...more Annie Martin and Aden Zook had been friends for five years. They first met when Annie helped out at Zook's Diner when she was 15 years old. Aden's father and twin brother, Roman, were in a farming accident. They couldn't work at the diner for awhile so Annie filled in. Annie's grandfather, Moses Burkholder, co-owned the diner with the Zook's. Whenever Annie visited her grandfather in Apple Ridge, PA, she would also see the Zook's, and make sure to spend time with Aden.

Annie had returned to Apple Ridge because she and her mother were having trouble getting along. It seemed to Annie that she was the only one in her family that still followed their beliefs. Annie's father left them nine years before and they began to slowly fall apart and away from their upbringing.

Once again, help was needed at Zook's Diner and Annie willingly gave her time. Gideon and Mattie needed to feed the out of town guests that came for their wedding. Zook's Diner filled that need. This made the diner a very busy place to work, especially with Roman out of town.

Roman had gone to his Uncle Ernie's in Lancaster to help fix a generator. More than doing the repair, his family hoped he got his confidence back. Since the farming accident, he had been in a wheelchair and felt unsure of himself. Roman met up again with Marian Lee while there, it seemed she liked him. He decided she just felt sorry for him because he was a paraplegic.

Annie was determined to get Aden talking more. Because he stuttered, he often didn't say a lot. The more they worked together, the closer they got. Aden's stuttering became less. Aden and Annie began to spend time together after work at her grandfather's cherry tree orchard. They also began to fall in love. There was only one problem with their relationship - Annie was Mennonite and Aden was Amish. They knew they couldn't be together without serious repercussions from their family and churches.

Do Annie and Aden follow their upbringing and not date someone from outside their faith? Or do they following their hearts and continue their relationship? Although Roman's broken body can't be changed, can his broken spirit? Read The Scent Of Cherry Blossoms to find out.

I think many people assume that Mennonites and Amish are very much the same. Reading this book will show you that they are not interchangeable. An Amish person dating a Mennonite person is not allowed, and vise versa. Annie and Aden weren't compromising their relationship with God when they chose to become more than friends. But they did compromise the beliefs/traditions of their families and churches. Cindy Woodsmall shows us that we should be less concerned about what others with think of us. We need to focus on following God and doing what He thinks is right. I like that Cindy Wooodsmall put characters from another book in this story. Gideon and Mattie are from The Christmas Singing, you can read my review here. I really liked Annie. She choose to still follow God, while her mother and siblings chose to follow ways that were hurting them. This book can be read quickly and is enjoyable. I would recommend reading it.

I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for my honest review.(less)

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Mar 31, 2012 Delia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Annie Martin is Old Order Mennonite. Aden Zook is Old Order Amish. Their people get along, but romance is strictly forbidden, as such unions are considered "unequally yoked."

For this young couple, yielding to the call of their hearts would mean more than being shamed and shunned by their separate communities. It could mean financial devastation for Aden's family, since Annie's grandfather has the power to pull the rug out from under their business.

Being together seems beyond hope…difficult at be...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Lynne Young rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! Well, I love anything by Cindy Woodsmall but this book was really a good one.

Two brothers, twins, one haunted by tragedy and the other by a disability. Aden and Roman Zook are as close as twins are supposed to be and ever since the accident that rendered Roman wheelchair bound, Aden has looked after his brother and Roman has become dependent on Aden to be there for him. So what happens when matters of the heart interfere?

Annie Martin has had a crush on Aden Zook ever since she...more

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Mar 26, 2012 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance, review-books

I have to admit that I’ve shied away from Amish romance novels because while I enjoy reading “clean” romances and I have no problem with a Christian message in a fiction book, I was worried that the Amish romances would be more than I wanted to deal with. I have no idea what I expected. A lot of preaching and angst, I guess. So what do I get for pre-judging? I get to miss out on some really good books, apparently. If this story is representative of all of Cindy Woodsmall’s work, I have a new mus...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Christie Hagerman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mixed in with this Amish fictional romance novel is a lot of interfamilial conflict. Mother and daughter, twin brothers, grandfather and granddaughter, mother and sons. In a world with such strict expectations placed on you by your family and, ultimately, your church community, each person has to struggle with whether or not he genuinely trusts God when times get tough. As each arrives at this decision in his own way, the family relationships are strained. Can the forbidden yet pure love between...more Mixed in with this Amish fictional romance novel is a lot of interfamilial conflict. Mother and daughter, twin brothers, grandfather and granddaughter, mother and sons. In a world with such strict expectations placed on you by your family and, ultimately, your church community, each person has to struggle with whether or not he genuinely trusts God when times get tough. As each arrives at this decision in his own way, the family relationships are strained. Can the forbidden yet pure love between two young people from different faiths survive this strain? Can the families stick together and support one another in their decisions, or will they lose what really matters? This book dealt with dynamics of life that we can all relate to, whether or not we call ourselves Plain. Do we really trust God, or have the crutches we’ve used to prop ourselves up taken His place?

Two brothers whose physical limitations caused them to depend on each other for daily life, struggle with facing their shortcomings and deciding if those will ultimately define them. A mother who has a strong faith has to decide if that faith can carry her through the unknown. A father who made mistakes in parenting his only child has to decide if he wants to remain as rigid with his grandchild. The plot was interesting and pertinent, and the narrator did a great job. Her accent was clear and crisp, as the Amish and Mennonites tend to speak, and she changes her voice with each character so that I always knew whose point of view I was listening to and who was speaking. This is a great book for just relaxing and enjoying the story, and maybe finding a bit of yourself in the chapters.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the christianaudio.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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Mar 02, 2012 Kav rated it 5 of 5 stars

I battled a raging snowstorm to get to the Christian bookstore before work on Saturday and was greeted by this beautiful cover the second I walked into the store. What a breath of spring! I had to buy it -- especially since it's written by Cindy Woodsmall. Need I say more? And bonus! It's a sequel to her Christmas novella, The Christmas Singing and we even get to catch up with Mattie and Gideon! Hoping that Woodsmall continues with the series because she has two seasons left to cover!

Even though...more

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Feb 29, 2012 Wanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms
by Cindy Woodsmall

The Amish and the Mennonites may seem very similar to outsiders but they do have many differences and refrain from intermarrying. When a Mennonite girl falls in love with an Amish man and he returns her feelings, families and even a business agreement are threatened by that simple action. The Scent of Cherry Blossoms is a heart felt tale of two young people who desperately want to do the right thing for their families and communities without losing e...more

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Feb 29, 2012 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

Annie enjoys working at the fruit stand despite the occasional hazards. She is given an opportunity to spend some time in the home of her Grandfather Moses in Apple Ridge. Annie helps fill the time away by working at Zooks serving meals.

Aden feels a responsibility for the care of his brother Roman, the two forming a close bond. Aden while working on a generator at Zooks catches the eye of Annie. Annie is determined to break the silence with Aden despite the Old Order Mennonite and Old Order Amis...more

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Feb 25, 2012 Eleanor rated it 5 of 5 stars

***Though the publisher provides the free book, I offer the opinion.***

My Look:

THE SCENT OF CHERRY BLOSSOMS pits Plain against Plain in a battle of love.

Annie Martin is Plain Order Mennonite while Aden Zook is Plain Order Amish, but when childhood friendship springs into something more, they are worlds apart.

Annie finds herself back at her Daadi Moses house, whether she'd wanted to be there or not. She did, but this time her visit wasn't due to Daadi's illness; Annie's mother nearly kicked her...more

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Feb 23, 2012 Hattie Norman rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am use to thinking of religion as bringing peace not war. Some very religious people can quote chapter and verse about The Lord bringing "war and rumours of war" divided houses. The Scent of CHERRY BLOSSOMS by CINDY WOODSMALL is a novel which puts these opposing views in perspective by using two families. One family is Amish. The other family is Mennonite. Aden falls deeply in love with Annie. There is a very big problem. Aden's family is Amish. Annie's grandfather is a Mennonite. It is believ...more I am use to thinking of religion as bringing peace not war. Some very religious people can quote chapter and verse about The Lord bringing "war and rumours of war" divided houses. The Scent of CHERRY BLOSSOMS by CINDY WOODSMALL is a novel which puts these opposing views in perspective by using two families. One family is Amish. The other family is Mennonite. Aden falls deeply in love with Annie. There is a very big problem. Aden's family is Amish. Annie's grandfather is a Mennonite. It is believed the marriage between Aden and Annie can't possibly work. In Biblical language they would be unequally yoked. I felt so sad for these two young people. How can you stop loving someone because it makes other people unhappy?

"Some aspects of their religion made little sense to her, but she knew why she and Aden couldn't be seen together. Old Order Mennonite and Old Order Amish were good neighbors, helpful, kind, and generous, but the boundaries concerning interrelationships were wide and high and made of steel."

Roman, Aden's brother is facing personal difficulties too. He is wheelchair bound. He is deeply in love with Marian. However, he doesn't want to become a burden to her for the rest of their lives. I could almost feel the weight of Roman's wheelchair and the heaviness of his feelings every time someone had to remove his wheelchair to a different location. It's not often I take time to put myself in the shoes of those who are suffering a physical need daily. Cindy Woodsmall took me to that place and helped me look at the reality for many people and what could be any person's future circumstance. We just don't know what might happen in our lives.

Again, I have been given the chance to look closely inside the world of the Amish. Cindy Woodsmall tells some of the beliefs of the Amish and the Mennonite. I thought it very interesting to learn the values of both congregations while at the same time learning the opposite views of each group.

"He made no effort even to hold her hand. She trusted that he was respecting the ways of her people and their policy of hands-off dating only."

I especially loved the Cherry Blossom orchards weaving throughout the novel like the threads of a quilt making a Feather circle. I also liked the idea of two brothers with different physical needs. However, each brother is able to help the other brother. Aden is a stutterer.Aden is able to speak better when he becomes angry. Roman as I wrote is wheelchair bound. Roman can speak for Aden while Aden is able to move Roman's wheelchair to unreachable places. This is definitely a novel about family, friendship and our beliefs. It is a novel about the beauty of nature. I wonder if the beauty of nature, if noticed, makes our hard days easier along with meditation on our faith.

"Seemed reasonable to think she could figure out how to get past Aden's quietness and into the place where his thoughts flowed as freely as falling cherry blossom petals on a windy day."

The Scent of CHERRY BLOSSOMS by CINDY WOODSMALL also includes a song, 'ANNIE'S SONG' sung by JOHN DENVER.

"....John Denver record playing. Mamm sang one of the songs to Roman and me over and over when we were little. I'd forgotten about it....It's called 'Annie's Song.(less)

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About Cindy Woodsmall

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author who has written six novels, three novellas, and Plain Wisdom, a work of nonfiction coauthored with her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. She’s been featured on ABC Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life.

She is also a veteran homeschool...more Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author who has written six novels, three novellas, and Plain Wisdom, a work of nonfiction coauthored with her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. She’s been featured on ABC Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life.

She is also a veteran homeschool mom who no longer holds that position. As her children progressed in age, her desire to write grew stronger. After working through reservations whether this desire was something she should pursue, she began her writing journey. Her husband was her staunchest supporter as she aimed for what seemed impossible.

She’s won Fiction Book of the Year, Reviewer’s Choice Awards, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest, as well as one of Crossings’ Best Books of the Year. She’s been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards.

Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Though she didn’t realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began preparing Cindy to write these books. At the age of ten, while living in the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a Plain Mennonite girl. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore the prayer Kapp and cape dresses. Her parents didn’t allow television or radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. During the numerous times Luann came to Cindy’s house to spend the night, her rules came with her and the two were careful to obey them—afraid that if they didn’t, the adults would end their friendship. Although the rules were much easier to keep when they spent the night at Luann’s because her family didn’t own any of the forbidden items, both sets of parents were uncomfortable with the relationship and a small infraction of any kind would have been enough reason for the parents to end the relationship. While navigating around the adults’ disapproval and the obstacles in each other’s lifestyle, the two girls bonded in true friendship that lasted into their teen years, until Cindy’s family moved to another region of the US.

As an adult, Cindy became friends with a wonderful Old Order Amish family who opened their home to her. Although the two women, Miriam and Cindy, live seven hundred miles apart geographically, and a century apart by customs, when they come together they never lack for commonality, laughter, and dreams of what only God can accomplish through His children. Over the years Cindy has continued to make wonderful friendships with those inside the Amish and Mennonite communities—from the most conservative ones to the most liberal.

Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband, three sons, two daughters-in-law, a new granddaughter, and a dog named Jersey who wants to dominate the world, starting with the Woodsmall household.(less)

More about Cindy Woodsmall...

Books by Cindy Woodsmall

When the Heart Cries (Sisters of the Quilt, #1)

When the Morning Comes (Sisters of the Quilt, book #2)

The Harvest of Grace: Book 3 in the Ada's House Amish Romance Series

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The Scent of Cherry Blossoms: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country (Apple Ridge)

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