The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall - REVIEWED

“Sometimes our heaviest baggage isn’t who we are. It’s who we think we are.” (p. 289)

Wow. Cindy Woodsmall has written her most powerful novel yet! The Bridge of Peace is a story about people with flaws – both known and unknown – and the process they must all go through to reach beyond those flaws and find peace. This is a story about friendship, love, sacrifice and grace, and you will remember the characters of this book and the lessons they shared long after you finish the book!

The primary character in the story is Lena Kauffman. This young lady is an exceptionally gifted teacher and she loves her scholars and the process of helping them learn. Peter is the one scholar that poses a threat to Lean and her classroom, and when confrontation truly comes between them it turns into a day that changes many lives. One life that is forever altered is the life of Grey Graber. When Grey stopped by the school on that fateful day, he stopped with the hope that his own life would soon be relieved of a heavy burden. Instead, in a matter of moments, he was forced to face some of the darkest times of his life. Both Lena and Grey could never imagine where the events of this day would eventually lead them.

There are other threads of this story that also hold poignant truth and realistic portrayals of the struggle to find truth and acceptance within our relationships. Deborah is still reeling from being abandoned by the person with whom she hoped to spend the rest of her life. As she struggles to survive the demands of daily life she begins to discover an inner strength and insight into her own heart that she was unable to see before. As she begins to move forward into the future with new hope she is suddenly brought face to face with the past – yet again. Her struggle to find her way is heart wrenching indeed.

Cara and Ephraim are also struggling to find their way. As a native New Yorker and a stranger to the Amish faith, Cara makes many mistakes along the way. Yet Ephraim loves her so patiently and unconditionally that you can’t help but love the man in return! Their relationship is so sweet and their friendship so real that it serves as a beacon of truth for everyone that knows them.

So friend, don’t miss this book! Don’t miss this series! It is phenomenal! The Bridge of Peace follows A Hope of Refuge in Cindy Woodsmall’s Ada’s House series! Most excellent!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of The Wall Street Journal. She is the author of the Sisters of the Quilt series as well as The Bridge of Peace, The Hope of Refuge and The Sound of Sleigh Bells. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband, their three sons, and two amazing daughters-in-law.