The Winnowing Season

Title: THE WINNOWING SEASON

Author: Cindy Woodsmall

Publisher: Waterbook Press

April 2013

ISBN: 978-0307730046

Genre: Amish

The tornado that devastated Kings’ Orchard pushed Rhoda, Samuel, and Jacob to make a new start in Maine. Are they strong enough to withstand the challenges of establishing an Amish community—and brave enough to face the secrets that move with them?

On the eve of their departure to begin a new Old Order Amish community outside of Unity, Maine, Rhoda Byler is shocked to discover that choices made by her business partner and friend, Samuel King, have placed her and her unusual gifts directly into the path of her district’s bishop and preachers. She is furious with Samuel and is fearful that the Kings will be influenced by the way her leaders see her, and not what they know to be true—that Rhoda’s intuition is a gift from God.

Jacob King won’t be swayed by community speculation. He loves Rhoda, believes in her, and wants to build a future with her in Maine. But when the ghosts of his past come calling and require him to fulfill a great debt, can he shake their hold before it destroys what he has with Rhoda? Samuel has a secret of his own—one he’ll go to great lengths to keep hidden, even if it means alienating those closest to him. Throwing himself into rehabilitating the once-abandoned orchard, Samuel turns to a surprising new ally.

Book 2 of the Amish Vines and Orchards series asks: can the three faithfully follow God’s leading and build a new home and orchard in Maine? Or will this new beginning lead to more ruin and heartbreak?

THE WINNOWING SEASON is the sequel to A Season for Tending and readers will want to read these books in order.

I have loved Cindy Woodsmall’s other books, but THE WINNOWING SEASON fell flat for me. I kept picking the book up and putting it down, and it never did catch my interest. I had to force myself to finish it, and I don’t like having to do that. I wouldn’t have, if I wasn’t going to review it.

I will continue to read Ms. Woodsmall’s other books (I have her new one in my stack to review), but I was not impressed with THE WINNOWING SEASON. However, there are over 100 5 star reviews, so it may just be me. Don’t take my word for it. If you like Amish, you may love THE WINNOWING SEASON. Available in paperback, hardcover, audio and ebook. 322 pages.