Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas

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Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas (Apple Ridge omnibus 1-3)

by Cindy Woodsmall (Goodreads Author)

4.38 of 5 stars 4.38 · rating details · 126 ratings · 33 reviews

Experience the holidays with the Plain folk of Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania, in these touching novellas centered around love, romance, heartache, and restoration from best-selling author Cindy Woodsmall.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells
Beth Hertzler is unable to let go of a past tragedy, but when she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow,...more

Paperback, 576 pages

Published October 9th 2012 by WaterBrook Press

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Jan 31, 2013 Marcy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-reviewed

Three great books written by one of my favorite authors Cindy Woodsmall. I have never read a bad book from Cindy Woodsmall and all three of the novels included in this book are 5 star stories. They follow the lives of 5 different couples, I will only write of the main 3 couples though, you must read the books to know the rest, in the fictional Amish settlement of Apple Ridge, their ups and downs and finding love in just the right mate.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells is about trusting God after sufferi...more Three great books written by one of my favorite authors Cindy Woodsmall. I have never read a bad book from Cindy Woodsmall and all three of the novels included in this book are 5 star stories. They follow the lives of 5 different couples, I will only write of the main 3 couples though, you must read the books to know the rest, in the fictional Amish settlement of Apple Ridge, their ups and downs and finding love in just the right mate.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells is about trusting God after suffering a drastic loss, for Beth this was the loss of her fiancé to death, for Jonah it is the loss of 2 fingers and full use of his leg in a sleigh accident. When they both finally meet it is the loss of trust and believing in themselves. Beth is a no nonsense business woman who sells Amish crafts in her dry goods store. She also finds other Amish and English stores to buy and sell her Amish clients goods. While on a buying trip she steps into Pete's antiques and it changes her life. She finds a hand-carved piece that speaks to her and haunts her dreams after she purchases it. she must find a way to help "the old man" sell his carvings. She sends her aunt and namesake to talk to him and try to convince Jonah and her bishop to allow her to sell his beautiful carvings. Jonah called the "old Man" by Pete because of his wisdom, carving talent and use of a cane is actually Beth's age. Jonah is talked into writing to Beth, thinking she is her older Aunt Lizzy. Lizzy talks her niece Beth into writing to the "old man" whose carvings speak to her because the carvings have brought life back into her beloved niece’s life. They write to each other not knowing that they are actually the same age, Lizzy is torn by her deception and tries to get Jonah to meet Beth, hoping they will at least be friends. It all backfires and Jonah thinks Beth is in on the deception and he vows not to write her anymore, yet he is drawn. When Beth shows up at Jonah's house to convince him to sell his items she too leans of the deception. They vow to never speak again even though they both have fallen in love with their pen pal. By trusting God can Beth and Jonah find healing from their losses and love in each other or will they live their lives never knowing if they were each other’s true love?

The Christmas Singing is about forgiveness of yourself, others and even God. Mattie an absent minded forgetful Amish woman is broken hearted over her love since childhood Gideon, who she catches with an Englisher woman on Christmas Eve, which is also her birthday. She moves to Berlin, Ohio and opens up her own business Mattie Cakes. She thinks she has found happiness in her thriving business and her new beau Sol. She isn't romantically in love with Sol but he is safe and would never break her heart the way Gideon did. Gideon is hiding a deep and deadly secret from his whole Amish community, his reason for allowing Mattie to believe he was in love with an English woman and cheating on her. He tries hard to keep the secret but he always fears that the illness that took his English friend, the one Mattie caught him with, will take his life as well. When Absent minded Mattie's cake shop burns to the ground, possibly at her own forgetful hand, she moves back home to Apple Ridge and is faced with Gideon. Will she be able to forgive herself for possibly leaving her journal on the wood stove, and forgive Gideon for breaking her heart and be able to become his friend or maybe more... Read this awesome book by Cindy Woodsmall and find out.

Third book included in this collection is The Dawn of Christmas where Sadie and Levi must overcome distrust of love and the opposite sex if they are ever to have families of their own. Sadie finds her fiancé Daniel in the arms of her beautiful cousin on the eve of their wedding. Daniel and Aquilla both claim it was innocent and not what Sadie believes she saw. The Brim Amish community believes Daniel and Aquilla but Sadie's father believes her and allows her to move away and heal from the devastation. Levi watched his brother suffer through his wife leaving him and his young son for no apparent reason and his friend and business partner Daniel, yes Sadie's Daniel, was jilted on the eve of his wedding, now Levi swears never to marry, women are to untrustworthy. Four years later on the 4th of July Sadie is called to Apple Ridge where her Mammi Lee lives. After fighting with her family Sadie is "grounded" to her grandmother’s house while her parents are out. Levi is tired of his family trying to set him up and agrees to go to a singing, only to get them to leave him alone. He leaves early bareback on the horse he has trained, little does he know the horse is petrified of fireworks and upon hearing them goes crazy, Levi is thrown and injured. Sadie is good at listening to God, just not her parents so she heads out on her grandmas horse. On her ride she becomes disoriented and finds the injured Levi. She rescues him by calling 911 and while waiting for the ambulance they talk and strike up a friendship. How far will this friendship go? Will they ever trust each other enough for a real friendship? Will Daniel come back into Sadie's life? If he does will he be a help or a hindrance? I won't tell but the book will.

Read this three book collection and you will find out what happens to these 3 main couples and a few more. I really love how the couples are not in just their main book but in all 3 books so you see how their lives are intertwined and how the Amish community supports them or hinders them. They all have a clean, family oriented story line that is safe and enjoyable for all to read. I loved these 3 stories so much I am searching to see if Cindy has written anymore books based in Apple Ridge. Join me and read all of her great books.
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Jan 24, 2013 Emily Rachelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is my first time reading, much less reviewing, an Amish book. Most Christian and/or female readers are probably aware of the huge Amish trend going on right now. Honestly, I've been more than reluctant to try it myself. I only decided to review this book because (a) I wanted something Christmas for the party, and (b) I figured three novellas in one book made a great "Amish fiction" sampler and would give me a better first impression/opinion than one novel.

The stories were great. I'm not abo...more This is my first time reading, much less reviewing, an Amish book. Most Christian and/or female readers are probably aware of the huge Amish trend going on right now. Honestly, I've been more than reluctant to try it myself. I only decided to review this book because (a) I wanted something Christmas for the party, and (b) I figured three novellas in one book made a great "Amish fiction" sampler and would give me a better first impression/opinion than one novel.

The stories were great. I'm not about to go out and buy her next book the minute it releases, like I might for Cidney Swanson or Shannon Dittemore. But I'm the target audience for those writers, and I'm not for this book. The writing was pretty strong. There were a few parts were the story seemed a little slow or bogged down. For the most part, though, I was cringing at the characters' embarrassing moments and grinning idiotically when they got the guy (or girl). The story world was beautiful. I especially loved how each character in each story was unique and alive.

The romance was sweet and warm and fuzzy. All three books were beautifully set in a country Christmas, but they weren't more focused on the setting than the story, like some Christmas and/or country books tend to be. Basically, the book was great and I'm over my prejudice against Amish books.

I do have one complaint. The back of the book has a different blurb for each novella, as would be expected. The first story is about a young woman named Beth who is still getting over a tragedy from a while back. However, when you start reading, the first several pages are from the viewpoint of a forty-something spinster named Lizzy. Huh? As a reader, this first confused and then frustrated me. You realize soon that Lizzy is Beth's aunt, and later that she is vital to Beth's story - but when you're starting the story, you don't know this, and you want to see the main character. You subconsciously expect it. So I think Cindy messed up a little with her first chapter.

Anyone with a connection to the publishing industry - writer, agent, editor, publisher, or want-to-be's of each - knows the ultimate importance of the first chapter, the first page. It's the worst place to mess up.

This is an even bigger problem when there are three stories in one book. Each story in this set is better than the previous one (in my opinion), so the third was my favorite. That's not a problem - but a person's reading those stories all hinges on the first page/chapter of the first novella. The third story doesn't get a chance to shine with its first page or chapter if the first story doesn't shine. That's not fair for the amazing writing that is the third story.

In all, I give this book four stars.

I received this book for free through Blogging for Books in exchange for this review. I was in no way otherwise compensated. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.(less)

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Dec 18, 2012 Liz Terek rated it 5 of 5 stars

‘Christmas in Apple Ridge’ Book Review

Is there a more idyllic place to spend Christmas than in Apple Ridge? There isn’t if you’re a fan of Cindy Woodsmall’s series. In this new 3 stories-in-1 collection, readers will fall in love three times over.
Apple Ridge is a series about Amish folks & their lives. There’s romance, a little drama, & a whole lot of love. This collection features: ‘The Sound of Sleigh Bells’,’ The Christmas Singing’, and ‘The Dawn of Christmas’.
First up is ‘The Sou...more ‘Christmas in Apple Ridge’ Book Review

Is there a more idyllic place to spend Christmas than in Apple Ridge? There isn’t if you’re a fan of Cindy Woodsmall’s series. In this new 3 stories-in-1 collection, readers will fall in love three times over.
Apple Ridge is a series about Amish folks & their lives. There’s romance, a little drama, & a whole lot of love. This collection features: ‘The Sound of Sleigh Bells’,’ The Christmas Singing’, and ‘The Dawn of Christmas’.
First up is ‘The Sound of Sleigh Bells’. Beth was once a young person in love. Her Henry has been gone for over a year, but she is still grieving his death. Though her family pushes, social events just aren’t on her agenda. But, when a new man enters her life, will she be able to let go & love again?
Book 2 is ‘The Christmas Singing’. Mattie has moved from PA to Ohio to open her dream bakery. Leaving behind bad memories of cheating beau, Gideon, she’s started over again. Sol is the man in her life now & as stagnant as their relationship may seem, at least it’s safe. Tragedy strikes & Mattie must journey back to Pennsylvania & its past. Will seeing Gideon rekindle old feelings or are she & Sol meant to be?
Sadie & Daniel were set to be married as ‘The Dawn of Christmas’ begins. Yet, Sadie witnesses the unthinkable & it strains their relationship. Throwing herself into God’s work, she attempts to forget past transgressions. Now, her Dad has summoned her back home. Will Sadie have the strength to face her hurt at Christmastime?
What I loved most about this trio is the fact that a mother can read these stories and then hand them off to her daughter to read. Clean writing with a high moral standard is rare today. It's even rarer to have such a high quality novel along with these standards. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of the books. I hadn’t read Amish fiction before, but I was very pleased.
The Christmas theme along with a glimpse into Amish culture is a fantastic idea. With so much darkness in today’s world, this collection is a shining light! A glorious 5 of 5 start rating for ‘Christmas in Apple Ridge’!
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Dec 05, 2012 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is great for the Christmas holidays and is a great bargain. It is actually three books in one. Christmas in Apple Ridge by Cindy Woodsmall is one of those books that you want to keep reading. Even though it is three separate books, the settings revolve around Apple Ridge and the characters in the first book become minor characters in the other two.

Book 1 The Sound of Sleigh Bells introduces Beth Hertzler and her Aunt Lizzy. For different reasons, they have decided that they will never...more This book is great for the Christmas holidays and is a great bargain. It is actually three books in one. Christmas in Apple Ridge by Cindy Woodsmall is one of those books that you want to keep reading. Even though it is three separate books, the settings revolve around Apple Ridge and the characters in the first book become minor characters in the other two.

Book 1 The Sound of Sleigh Bells introduces Beth Hertzler and her Aunt Lizzy. For different reasons, they have decided that they will never marry and immerse themselves into making Lizzy's store successful. While on a business trip, Beth sees a carving that draws her to it. She is interested in helping the artist sell his work. Little does she know how this will change her life forever. You watch as she and Lizzy find love and happiness that they thought they would never have.

Book 2 The Christmas Singing introduces Mattie. She moved away for Apple Ridge after a heartbreak, opened a successful cake shop and is seeing a nice guy. After a tragic event, Mattie finds herself back in Apple Ridge and is forced to relive her heartbreak. What she learns, is that everything was not as it seemed. Healing, forgiveness and love and new beginnings will be the theme you will enjoy.

Book 3 The Dawn of Christmas introduces Sadie. She has thrown herself into mission work after finding her future husband in the arms of another woman on the eve of her wedding. She find it very rewarding but her family wants her to come back into the their fold. After the shop where she works goes out of business, she goes to stay with her grandmother until her next mission trip. One night, while out riding a horse, she comes across Levi. He is in need of medical help after being thrown from his horse. Levi and Sadie develop a friendship that takes them in a direction neither one expected.

I would highly recommend getting Christmas in Apple Ridge by Cindy Woodsmall. It is a wonderful, engaging read. You will not be disappointed. It is also available in book or ebook form.(less)

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Nov 29, 2012 Ibjoy1953 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Christmas in Apple Ridge is a collection of three Amish Christmas stories by Cindy Woodsmall. In The Sound of Sleigh Bells you will read about Jonah and Beth. The Christmas Singing is about Gideon and Mattie. And the Dawn of Christmas is Levi and Sadie’s story. I love Amish fiction, and I especially enjoy reading about how Amish celebrate their Christmas, so this book was a treat for me. Even though I have read the first two before, I enjoyed reading them again, and The Dawn of Christmas is a br...more

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Nov 17, 2012 Marianne rated it 5 of 5 stars

It has only been in the last year or so that I have really started reading those novels we call Amish Fiction. I was wondering today what it is about these stories that attracts so many readers. Is it that it is a unique culture? A throw-back to the early 1900s when farming and traveling was done with horses or mules? It might be any of these but for me, I think it is more that they speak to my soul in a way that other books do not. In a place where there are not the regular distractions of the...more

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Nov 01, 2012 Gayle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fantastic book or should I say three books in one. "The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing and The Dawn of Christmas" by Cindy Woodsmall.

This book is three separate stories yet the first is part of the second and both are part of the third. It's about the Plain folk living in Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania. It's about love, understanding, misunderstandings, putting the past int he past and beginning new.

A tragedy had happened to Beth Hertzler, but she holds on to the past. She discovers a b...more

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Oct 26, 2012 Kristin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, christian-fiction, 2012-reading-challenge, favorites

Christmas in Apple Ridge by Cindy Woodsmall is a Three-in-One collection of The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing and an all new novella, The Dawn of Christmas . This book means something special to me as I had the pleasure of getting to know the author a bit better via email and facebook and I was deeply honored that she included one of my original soap recipes in the back of the book. One thing is for certain, this author cares deeply about her fans and about the characters she is w...more

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Nov 20, 2012 Victor Gentile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Cindy Woodsmall in her new book, “Christmas in Apple Ridge” published by WaterBrook Press brings us a Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas.

From the back cover: Experience the holidays with the Plain folk of Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania, in these touching novellas centered around love, romance, heartache, and restoration from best-selling authorCindy Woodsmall.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells
Beth Hertzler is unable to let go of a past tragedy...more Cindy Woodsmall in her new book, “Christmas in Apple Ridge” published by WaterBrook Press brings us a Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas.

From the back cover: Experience the holidays with the Plain folk of Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania, in these touching novellas centered around love, romance, heartache, and restoration from best-selling authorCindy Woodsmall.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells
Beth Hertzler is unable to let go of a past tragedy, but when she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds. Determined that her niece meet the gifted artist, her aunt tracks him down, but it’s not that simple – will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love?

The Christmas Singing
Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve. Brokenhearted, Mattie moves away and pursues her longtime dream of becoming a cake decorator, and even finds a new beau. But when Mattie is forced to return home three years later, will learning the truth behind Gideon’s rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?

The Dawn of Christmas
Sadie enjoys her freedom away from home and her mission trips to Peru, but after four years, her Old Order Amish family insists it’s time to come home and settle down. Levi, a bachelor who distrusts women after a family heartbreak, also has no desire for romance. To keep their families from meddling in their lives, Sadie and Levi devise a plan—but soon discover that the walls around their hearts are breaking down. Can they let go of their prejudices, learn to trust each other, and embrace a future together?

I like Apple Ridge. I wish that all cities and towns could be like Apple Ridge because the people of this town know each other and pull together in times of hardship. These three stories all center around Christmas time so if you are not in the mood for Christmas yet you will be by the time you finish reading. Yes, there is trouble in each story but trouble helps the characters grow stronger and to each other. And there is romance. Why else read these stories if it were not for the romance? Spending time in Apple Ridge is time well spent. If you don’t already have the first two stories then you will enjoy reading them for the first time. If you already do then the third story is brand new and you probably will enjoy reading the first two again. Either way it is great to visit in Apple Ridge and I look forward to more return visits.

If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Press for this review. 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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Nov 19, 2012 Dorrice rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a group of three novellas, each featuring a different person or persons, and bools two and three also continue the stories of the main characters in the previous book or books. I have long loved Cindy Woodsmall's writing, and these stories did not disappoint. Each of them had a happy ending, and after all romantic fiction is required to have a happy ending, is it not?

I have finally figured out why I prefer stories about the Amish over any other fiction. The characters are concerned with...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Ginger Solomon rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've reviewed several of Cindy Woodsmall's books in the past. Each one has blessed me in a unique way and Christmas in Apple Ridge is no different. It is a three-in-one collection, which includes The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing--both of which I've read before--and The Dawn of Christmas. There are many books that I would not wish to read a second time, but I enjoyed both the first and second stories as much this time as I did when I read them originally. The third story was new a...more

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Oct 27, 2012 Casey rated it 4 of 5 stars

I’m a big-time collector of all Cindy Woodsmall’s books. So even though I’d already owed and read the first two novellas in this collection (you can read a previous review here: http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogsp..., with the addition of “The Dawn of Christmas” I had to read this latest sweet story.

And a sweet one it was. Novellas are not known for their depth of content as the word count just isn’t there to fully play with characterization. But what was included within these less-than-two-h...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Brittany rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Sound of sleigh Bells
Beth has carries a heavy load of guilt ever since her fiance died. But she begins to find healing in the work of a young woodcarver named Jonah.
The Christmas Singing
Mattie was devastated when her boyfriend broke up with her on Christmas Eve. But when he tells her the truth about it will it bring them together or drive them farther apart?
The Dawn of Christmas
Sadie and Levi pretend to be courting in order to get their parents to leave them alone. But they never intended to...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish-fiction, christian-romance, christian-fiction, e-book, i-own-this, kindle-ebook, review-books, thomas-nelson

I’ve had the pleasure of reading The Christmas Singing and The Sound of Sleigh Bells by themselves so when I saw a third installment was added, The Dawn of Christmas and put into one book under the title of Christmas in Apple Ridge I knew I had to get it so I could finish the story. I was not disappointed, I could relate to Sadie who thought she knew what God was telling her but she wasn’t really listening – which I think we all can relate to at sometime, especially when we want something so bad...more I’ve had the pleasure of reading The Christmas Singing and The Sound of Sleigh Bells by themselves so when I saw a third installment was added, The Dawn of Christmas and put into one book under the title of Christmas in Apple Ridge I knew I had to get it so I could finish the story. I was not disappointed, I could relate to Sadie who thought she knew what God was telling her but she wasn’t really listening – which I think we all can relate to at sometime, especially when we want something so bad we tell ourselves that what we are doing is what God has told us to do, when maybe He really isn’t. Then Levi, enters Sadie’s life and the way they think things are supposed to be turn out it’s not really what it seems and they learn that deception isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

So come back to Apple Ridge and meet Sadie and Levi and read about their story – even though this is a romance it’s one that won’t make you blush or ashamed to admit you read it. Re-introduced yourself to the characters in the other two stories and find out what has been going on in their lives as each life intertwines with the other in the Amish community of Apple Ridge. Sadie and Levi both learn to know that only God can heal heartache if only allowed to do so and that living a life of running and hiding isn’t a good idea as the problems just continue to get bigger and bigger.

I know Christmas has passed but if you need a reminder of a quieter time then step into this Plain community and see them as they celebrate and learn and love in a season of giving. Each book can stand alone but you’ll only find The Dawn of Christmas in the three book compilation which makes it easy to enjoy all three stories in one book and know all the characters that are laced throughout all three stories.

**Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this e-book from Blogging for Books through Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing in exchange for posting my honest opinion, no other compensation was given.(less)

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Sep 30, 2012 Carla rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was alright. It had the sweet wholesome Amish characters expected from this genre. This book is a collection of three stories, and the three stories are interconnected. I liked how I could follow one character from story to story; even when they weren't a main character, you could continue to follow their lives. However, unlike other authors I've read, the stories were totally predictable. About fifty pages into each story you knew who was going to end up with whom, and there was no su...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Sara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, litwits

When this book was chosen as our December Holiday read for my book club, I rolled my eyes. Amish people and Christian fiction? Seriously? I was not enthusiastic, but I downloaded it onto my NOOK anyway.

I was hooked on this book after about ten pages. That's all it took. This is one of those reads where I read in bed until I fell asleep, NOOK in hand. What kept the pages turning, was not unpredictability. Everything about the plot in these three stories was predictable, but I just wanted to see h...more

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Dec 24, 2012 Faye rated it 4 of 5 stars

Three sweet Amish tales, old and new, just in time for Christmas!

Welcome to Apple Ridge, in this three-in-one novella collection, three couples find love, and learn that often in order to open the door to incoming love, the past must be let go.

Cindy Woodsmall has written three poignant tales that are sure to delight. I had previously read The Christmas Singing, but I was happy to read 2 stories that I hadn't read before, though I should note that The Sound of Sleigh Bells is also a previously re...more

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Nov 18, 2012 Lindsay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: blogging-for-books, amish, owned

This book has 3 stories in one. I enjoyed them all. The three stories are connected to the previous story in this book. It also mentions Aden and Annie in the last story called "The Dawn of Christmas".

The first story in the book in about Beth Hertzler and somewhat about her aunt Lizzy. The story revels some secrets throughout the book and a romance forms between Beth and Jonah. Will Beth take a chance at second love. Read to find out. You could read the the book called "The Sound of Sleigh Bells...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Kimber rated it 3 of 5 stars

These are three Christmas Amish love stories in one book. The characters from the first story carry over into the other ones, which was kind of fun to see how they continued their lives. I enjoyed learning more about the Amish culture and how they live their lives. I liked most of the characters. They all had flaws, but were trying to do what they thought was best. Like all Christian romance novels, there is a lot of preaching, but it's pretty well-written. It was a fun way to pass an afternoon...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, christian-fiction

Ever since I heard that Cindy Woodsmall wrote a book about a cake decorator, I've been wanting to read it. I love cake decorating! So I jumped when I had the chance to review this novella collection which happened to feature said story. I don't read a lot of novellas on general principle, as I'm a plan of fully developed plots and nearly all novellas I've read feature very simple ones. But I must say that these were extremely well-done and did not disappoint in the slightest!

"The Sound of Sleigh...more Ever since I heard that Cindy Woodsmall wrote a book about a cake decorator, I've been wanting to read it. I love cake decorating! So I jumped when I had the chance to review this novella collection which happened to feature said story. I don't read a lot of novellas on general principle, as I'm a plan of fully developed plots and nearly all novellas I've read feature very simple ones. But I must say that these were extremely well-done and did not disappoint in the slightest!

"The Sound of Sleigh Bells" was the first story, and it was downright amazing. Our heroine, Beth, lives with a dark secret that surrounds the death of her fiance some years earlier. A woman now given to business with a heart closed to love, she feels stirrings when she comes across a beautiful carving. Unbeknownst to her, the artist also knows about loss, having been in an accident which nearly cost him his life and left him with physical limitations. When Beth's aunt discovers who the artist is and that he is close to Beth's age, she begins to orchestrate a friendship in hopes that Jonah's wisdom can help
Beth heal. When Beth finds out that Jonah isn't the grandfatherly man she had pictured, she must choose between reacting and retreating further inside herself, or opening her heart to truth, healing, and love.

We meet cake decorator Mattie in "The Christmas Singing." Mattie runs a bake shop and has a serious boyfriend in Ohio, where she had moved to escape the pain of another boyfriend's jilting her a few years before. But when disaster strikes and Mattie must move back to her parents' house in Apple Ridge for a few weeks, she comes face to face with Gideon again. Gideon has never stopped loving Mattie, having only left her to protect her from his scary leukemia diagnosis. Now that it is in remission and he sees Mattie again, he wants to rekindle their friendship, if not their romantic relationship. The struggle of steadiness versus passion is at hand: will Mattie return to Ohio and the reliable Sol, or choose to stay with the uncertainty and love in Apple Ridge?

"The Dawn of Christmas" is the new release that finishes out this collection. Sadie is a young woman whose heart was broken by an unfaithful man but she's now found a purpose in life through mission work. During a visit home with her family, she saves the life of a man after a horseriding accident. Levi has seen enough marriages and relationships fall apart that he has vowed to never fall for a woman, but he begins rethinking things when Sadie enters the picture. In order to get both sets of parents to stop pressuring them in the relationship department, Sadie and Levi agree to pretend to date until Sadie's next planned mission trip. When the lines of pretense and reality begin to blur, choices about where their lives are going can either unite them or tear them apart.

Three very satisfying stories! My favorite was the first one, and I would even go so far as to say it's my favorite of Woodsmall's stories to date. Thanks to the publisher for my copy, which I received in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.

This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.livejournal.com (less)

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Jan 10, 2013 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christmas-in-apple-ridge

This is actually an omnibus of two past stories, "The Sound of Sleigh Bells" and "The Christmas Singing" along with a new one, "The Dawn of Christmas."

The Sound of Sleigh Bells

Beautiful Beth, a 26 year old Amish girl living in Pennsylvania, carries a secret heavy burden that has kept her from enjoying life for a long time. It has also kept her from moving on in life, or being willing to involve herself in a love relationship. Beth dresses in black even though she is long past the traditional mou...more

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Mar 27, 2013 Margaret is currently reading it

Recommended to Margaret by: Cindy Woodsmall

Shelves: amish, waterbrook-multnomah, november-2012, edelwiess, christmas

The Sound of Sleigh Bells A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country

The Christmas Singing A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country

The Dawn of Christmas A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country

The Sound of Sleigh Bells: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country
The sound of sleigh bells is something that brings great joy into the life of Beth Hertzler, yet the same sound brings pain to Jonah Kinsinger. This is a great Christmas or anytime read of growth, strength, forgiveness, moving forward, and romance with true love. Straight from the beginning even with the mystery of what really holds Beth back from looking for love brings a reader in to care for her with a slight of intrigue. Each chapter causes one to wish for her to open up to love. In a different manner, our other protagonist has his own set of dark past issues that hold him back from moving forward with life. It is one of those things were romantic or not, God put them together to learn something. It is the opening and shutting of doors in the future both good and bad for our characters that keeps those pages turning to see what happens next. The side story of true love unseen is fabulous and even though not a main picture in the book, so appropriate and good.

This is one of those books that has a good plot and so many little facets that keep it interesting and different from other stories. A reader may assume they know what is to come next, but they do not see the whole picture until the end. Family is a theme, Christmas spirit is through out, and each chapter brings one deeper into the lives of very interesting characters. Cindy Woodsmall did well with her other series with the Sisters of the Quilt, and even though this is a stand alone Christmas book the quality of the story is right on key. I highly recommend her books to anyone looking for a short-ish story at right about two hundred pages for the winter time. I personally could hear the sleigh bells and children's giggles while reading her words of text.

I look forward to reading her other new series coming soon starting with The Hope of Refuge.

The Christmas Singing: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country
Last year, one of my favorite Christmas reads was The Sound of Sleigh Bells and I was delighted this year to return to "the Heart of Amish Country" to revisit a few characters and find many more to love in The Christmas Singing. Cindy Woodsmall really is my favorite Amish author and she provided a great way to spend a few days when I had a moment here and there learning and loving some characters as they all grew and they learned to love and understand each other.

Easily, I'm fairly certain this was my favorite Christmas read. Definitely one for recommendation.

The Dawn of Christmas: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country
(TBR - Review to come...)(less)

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Oct 27, 2012 Rhonda Gayle rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you are like me and you're hopelessly dreaming of a white Christmas, read *Christmas in Apple Ridge* by Cindy Woodsmall. Contained within one collection are 3 delightful Amish Christmas stories to warm your holidays: *The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, & The Dawn of Christmas.* You will follow the romancing of Beth and Jonah, Mattie and Gideon, and Sadie and Levi. Add hot chocolate, Amish carvings, sleigh rides, and delicious fancy decorated cupcakes and cakes and you are r...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Tasha enderby rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, amish, christmas

I would be a total liar if I said that I started and read this whole book. The beauty of this book is that it's a collection of her other short stories that all build onto each other. I started and read the first two in past years so reading the third and final tale was an easy task. The bad part was I had read them years earlier and the references did not always click right away. Whybdoni do these things to myself?

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Mar 06, 2013 Cupoftea rated it 5 of 5 stars

All three of the books in Christmas in Appleridge are linked. The characters appear in each of them with a different couple being the main storyline. Cindy Woodsmall writes about redemption and love. There is recovery from injury both physical and emotional. I did enjoy this book.

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Jan 22, 2013 Annie rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Dawn of Christmas disappointed me because Aquilla got away with her vile behavior.

While I was pleased that Daniel's deceit was revealed and that he lost out on his profitable business arrangement with Levi, I hate the fact that her own cousin got away free and clear for being a liar and a cheat.

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Nov 17, 2012 Catherine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish-fiction, christmas-books

Loved this book. This was the first time I had ever read this author and I just fell in love with her writing style.

The book is three in one, but they are all tied together. I couldn't put this book down and when I did it was with warm fuzzies and a smile.

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Sep 20, 2012 Kristina marked it as to-read

Shelves: first-reads

*** I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads ***
** The Giveaway was Listed By Ashley **
* I received my copy on Thu, Sep 20 2012 *

THANK YOU GOODREADS FIRST READS AND ASHLEY!

I will follow with a full review after reading.

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Aug 29, 2012 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Really identified with Sadie's independent nature. A sweet love story for any time of year.

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Apr 14, 2013 Kelly Root rated it 3 of 5 stars

Quick, wholesome page-turner

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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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title link	preview: Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13532254-christmas-in-apple-ridge?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1332539656l/13532254.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13532254-christmas-in-apple-ridge?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas by Cindy Woodsmall[/url]

Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of Christmas (Apple Ridge omnibus 1-3)

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