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    A Season for Tending
    A Season for Tending
    A Season for Tending
    Audiobook12 hours

    A Season for Tending

    Written by Cindy Woodsmall

    Narrated by Stina Nielsen

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    New York Times and CBA best-selling author Cindy Woodsmall is widely celebrated for her inspirational tales and keen understanding of the Amish community. In A Season for Tending, Old Order Amish Rhoda Byler retreats behind her garden walls when her unusual ability to grow herbs and berries arouses suspicions in the community. But then she encounters a girl letting loose during rumschpringe, and Rhoda is drawn to a family whose fate is soon intertwined with her own.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateNov 2, 2012
    ISBN9781470328368
    A Season for Tending

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    Reviews for A Season for Tending

    4.5/5

    68 ratings17 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      As I read this book, I found that it was quite an interesting read.
    • 5/5
      Cindy Woodsmall's first book in the Amish Vines and Orchards Series presents a unique story of Amish life and love, unusual in the vast universe of Amish fiction. She weaves the tale of a headstrong, independent misfit in the Amish community who just might have found her place in the world. Woodsmall manages to avoid the schmaltziness of many Amish fiction books, and I look forward to the next installment in this series.
    • 5/5
      Cindy Woodsmall has written an "Amish book" that is a little different from the average one because it shows the sect's warts and all. At the beginning of the book Rhoda Byler is forced to dig up her herb garden because some folks think she is a witch. (She used the herbs for healing purposes.) While many Amish consult herb doctors regularly, apparently some view it as a sin. Meanwhile, the King family has an apple orchard that is infected by spider mites, which will cause a major downgrading of the apples. A chance meeting between Rhoda and the King family leads to a business partnership that will end up bringing out the best in everyone. This book is the first in a multi-part series, and it should be a good series. The characters are well-drawn and ring true. Recommended.
    • 4/5
      First off, loved the covers to the books in this series. Helped me put a face to the main character in this story, Rhoda Byler. Rhoda is an Amish young lady with a gift at growing herbs and berries. But some in her community think she also has a gift to see into the future and think she is involved in witchcraft. Those people make life very difficult for Rhoda and her family. Times are tough financially and Rhoda lives with her folks and also her two married siblings and their families.Then there is Samuel King who lives miles away and is trying to make something of the apple orchard that has been in the family for years. But due to circumstances, he needs help getting his orchard to grow better apples and seeks out Rhoda's expertise. The two must learn to work together and help each other out through difficult struggles they are both facing, with the community and with family issues. Tragedy will strike, but both Rhoda and Samuel are strong and will endure through it.This was a story that had very interesting characters, and all were very different and all had different views on their Amish heritage. I enjoyed myself and look forward to reading more in this series.
    • 5/5
      A Season for TendingCindy SmallwoodBook Summary: In a community where conformity flourishes, seeds of Rhoda's odd behavior were planted long ago. Can she cultivate her relationships with the same care and tenderness that she gives her beloved garden? Old Order Amish Rhoda Byler's unusual gift and her remarkable abilities to grow herbs and berries have caused many to think her odd. As rumors mount that Rhoda's "gift" is a detriment to the community, she chooses isolation, spending her time in her fruit garden and on her thriving canning business. Miles away in Harvest Mills, Samuel King struggles to keep his family's apple orchard profitable. As the eldest son, Samuel farms with his brothers, the irrepressible Jacob and brash Eli, while his longtime girlfriend Catherine remains hopeful that Samuel will marry her when he feels financially stable. Meanwhile, Samuel's younger sister Leah is testing all the boundaries during her rumschpringe, and finds herself far from home in Rhoda's garden after a night of partying gone badly. But Leah's poor choices serve as a bridge between Rhoda and the King family when a tragic mistake in the orchard leaves Samuel searching for solutions.Rhoda's expertise in canning could be the answer, but she struggles with guilt over the tragic death of her sister and doesn't trust herself outside her garden walls. As the lines between business, love, and family begin to blur, can Rhoda finally open up to a new life? And what effect will this odd, amazing woman have on the entire King family?Review: I really like Cindy Smallwood’s writing style. While this book took me a little while to get into it was worth the effort. Once I got into the flow of it I was hooked! The characters were fresh and completely different from anything I have read by her. This was a well thought out series and I look forward to the next two. This story made me laugh, cry and realize that Rhoda was truly a fresh face for Amish readers. The Kings were fun and lively. While problems seem to plague all of them Rhoda, Landon and the Kings are realistic and fun. I knew what was coming at the end and I was still hanging on the edge of my seat when the events finally came about. Poor Rhoda really needed the Kings and they needed her. Her Daed was fantastic and truly a great addition to the entire story. I want to see more of him. There are so many different things going on at once that I wished I could read faster. I needed time to soak up everything too! I would like to thank Edelweiss, Library Thing and Waterbrook Press for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.
    • 3/5
      Woodsmall fans will look forward to the continuation of this new series "Amish Vines and Orchards" as young Amish entrepreneur Rhoda Byler joins with the King family in a new venture that will take them from their roots in the Amish country of Pennsylvania up to a new home in Maine.I found the book interesting, but tedious at times, and somewhat less compelling than the first series I read, "Sisters of the Quilt."
    • 4/5
      The first Amish fiction book I read was by Cindy Woodsmall. She hooked me on not only her books, but Amish fiction in general. I was excited when I heart she was starting a new series. This book is slightly different from Ms. Woodsmall's other books in that the author introduces witchcraft, or at least the suspicion of witchcraft, and intuitiveness, as part of the story line. The fact that the Amish would actually believe that a member of their community is practicing witchcraft also surprised me. The book held my interest from beginning to end, and had me wondering where each incident would lead the characters. I can't wit for the next book. I have my own ideas as to where the story line will go and I can't wait to see if Ms. Woodsmall and I think alike.
    • 2/5
      I will state up front–I am NOT a fan of Amish fiction and A Season for Tending is not the book that will change that. It was slow moving and a bit too soapy for me. Cindy Woodsmall is a fine writer, no doubt about it, but I simply did not enjoy the storyline at all. I would love to see her take a step away from the Amish fiction fad and write a Christian fiction book of a different genre.Fans of Amish fiction will probably love A Season for Tending. The writing is good and if you enjoy this sort of story line, then I would say that you’d enjoy this one. As for me, I felt it was too slow and stilted. I just didn’t connect with the characters at all. If Woodsmall continues to write Amish fiction alone, this will be the last book of hers I read. But, I hope that at some point she steps away from this genre to write about a different subject. If you like Amish fiction, then give this one a try, but if you’re like me and don’t enjoy it, I’d say skip this one.NOTICE:Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Library Thing in exchange for my honest 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.”
    • 5/5
      Ronda is having trouble letting go of her guilt. Though it all she meets Leah King. Ronda starts to see that her family struggle But her dreams with her garden she will not let go. Sumuel starts having trouble with the apple orchard. Though Samuel is having some trouble he starts something with Ronda as partner with King's Orchard.Samuel struggles with this family orchard. Things show that Ronda care about Samuel. For she goes after Samuel when something happens. Things go from one thing to another. Is Ronda in love with Jakob or is god trying to get Samuel and Ronda together in another place. Where they will be working together ten hours away. To determine this it hard to say. For me I think God wants Samuel and Ronda together but the only way I will now is for the second book. Though there surprises and twist in this book.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed how Cindy Woodsmall slowly but intricately developed her characters that just melded the story together. I was and am still interested in the twists and turns of the relationship between Rhoda and the King brothers. This book is different from other Amish books as it seems to be more authentic than fluffy. I like that Rhoda is shown as a strong women with great business sense. The storyline keeps you guessing as to the relationship between Rhoda and the brothers and I look forward to the next segment to see where this takes all the characters. I am so glad I was selected to be an early reviewer of this author and this book!
    • 5/5
      Cindy Woodsmall is one of my very favorite writers of Amish fiction. I have yet to read a book by her that I don't absolutely love! This book is no exception. Once again the author has written another incredible book where the characters just grab hold and make you want to know more. I can't wait for the next book in the series!! If you love to read about the Amish, grab any of her books - you won't be sorry, and I bet you will be hooked like I am! Thanks to the Early Reviewer's Program for giving me the opportunity to get this great book!
    • 5/5
      Cindy Woodsmall has written an "Amish book" that is a little different from the average one because it shows the sect's warts and all. At the beginning of the book Rhoda Byler is forced to dig up her herb garden because some folks think she is a witch. (She used the herbs for healing purposes.) While many Amish consult herb doctors regularly, apparently some view it as a sin. Meanwhile, the King family has an apple orchard that is infected by spider mites, which will cause a major downgrading of the apples. A chance meeting between Rhoda and the King family leads to a business partnership that will end up bringing out the best in everyone. This book is the first in a multi-part series, and it should be a good series. The characters are well-drawn and ring true. Recommended.
    • 5/5
      I am a fan of Cindy Woodsmall's books, once you read them, they linger with you for a long time. This one is a compelling page turner and a big insight into the strength of Amish family life.As with all communities, people are not always what they present themselves to be. People who claim to love the Lord and then do violence to another one is an example. Poor Rhoda has been bullied by some in her Community because she told the true about this individual. When first her garden, and them her beloved fruit plants are destroyed, she is beyond grief.Enter the King family. Samuel has been in charge of the families apple orchard, and when a chance meeting with Rhoda, gives him an idea. So begins changes. Some are far reaching. As with the end of this book, we are heading down hill without breaks. Can't wait for the next book in this series.Will Rhoda end up with one of the King brothers? What about Catherine? How about Leah? There are more questions, and I have to wait for answers, please soon!!I received this book from Blogging For Books, and the Publisher Waterbrook Press, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 4/5
      I received this book as part of the Early Reviewers program. Although this book was outside my usual genre, I've always been curious about Amish life, and the description intrigued me.Cindy Woodsmall offers a fresh look at Amish life as she brings her characters to life. Rhoda Byler is a young Amish woman who operates her own small canning business. Living with her parents, siblings, and their spouses and children, brings a whole new meaning to "close-knit family".As a woman in business, she has her share of cynics, but add to that a gift that enables her to sense things before they happen, and you have a woman with her share of finger pointers.When she meets Samuel King through his sister, Leah, under somewhat less than ideal circumstances, a partnership ensues bringing Rhoda's canning skills and Samuel King's apple orchard together. Will this also bring Samuel and Rhoda together? The reader is led in that direction until Samuel's brother, Jacob, starts seeing Rhoda as a future partner--but not just in business.I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more Woodsmall books.
    • 4/5
      I've read a lot of Amish fiction, and this is one of the better ones. I enjoyed meeting all of the main characters and grew to like them as the book progressed. The main character is Rhoda, who has two talents: an unusual intuitive spirit and a green thumb. Then there is the King family with their apple orchard. You will read a bit before learning the connection between two seemingly different stories. I was a bit concerned about the reactions of some of Rhoda's neighbors and those in the community to her intuitive talent - I had to check to see that the setting was a modern one, because the superstitions sounded like something you wouldn't encounter this day and age - but don't let that detract you from a good story. The book does just end, so if you are a reader who likes to know immediately what is going to happen, you might hold off until the next book in the series comes out. I learned something about growing apples organically also; I enjoy learning new things, an added bonus when a book is as enjoyable as this one.
    • 5/5
      I have enjoyed all of Cindy Woodsmall's series and I was not disappointed with the first book in the series. My only complaint is that I am going to have to wait several months for the next book in the series to find out what happens with Rhoda Byer and her new found friends. God has given Rhoda gifts. One of the gifts is working in her garden. She loves working with her herbs and berry plants and making products from them which she is able to sell with the help of an Englisher friend. Her other gift is being able to perceive when someone is in danger. This gift is not looked on too well by the Amish community. Because of this gift she gets threats. She was forced to destroy her herb garden because Reuben Glick accused her of practicing witchcraft. Then there is the King family in Harvest Mills trying to keep a struggling apple orchard in business. The oldest King girl Leah is a troubled teen who makes some poor decisions. She winds up in Rhoda's garden after getting drunk at a party. Rhoda took her in for the night and contacted her family. This is how Rhoda met the Kings. She is attracted to Samuel after discussing horticulture with him. There is the attraction there but Samuel is sort of pre engaged to Catherine, who is gossipy, jealous and wants things her way.. Later Rhoda meets Jacob King, Samuel's brother and there is an attraction there. Both the Kings and the Bylers have had hardships happen. I can't wait to read the upcoming books to see how these families persevere and overcome the obstacles that have been put in their path. Who will be Rhoda fall in love with? And will Leah get over wanting to leave the Amish way of life?
    • 5/5
      This is the first book in a series. The story is of a female Amish entrepreneur who faces guilty about her sister's death and rumors of being a witch. She faces more challenges as she loses her canning business after vandalism. An opportunity to start a second business with another family appears to be the answer until another tragedy strikes again and the opportunity is blown away. Two brothers from the family fall in love with her and she is not sure what will happen as the she and several other Amish families move to another state to start over. The book ends here leaving the reader to wonder what will happen. Both the Amish and Englisher characters were developed to show that we all have flaws. How we deal with our challenges is important. I will continue reading this series to learn what becomes of these families as the move to a region that has no Amish community.