Reviewer: Trudy Smith
Title: When the Morning Comes - 2nd in the Sisters of the Quilt series
Author: Cindy Woodsmall
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
ISBN: 978-1-4000-7293-4
Release Date: September 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
Year/Setting: Present day/western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio
Overall rating: 3.75
Sexual Content Rating: None (few kisses)
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: None
Cindy's Website:
www.cindywoodsmall.com
Almost everyone Hannah Lapp knew turned against her, family, the Old Order Amish community where she lived, her fiancé. After rape and giving birth to a pre-mature baby who dies, Hannah decides the only thing left to do is leave the community and find her long-lost aunt. She’s sure her aunt will help her having been shunned by the community herself many years ago.
Once settled, Hannah tries to make contact with Paul, her fiancé but has to leave a message. Never hearing from Paul, Hannah assumes he doesn’t want anything to do with her. She must move on making some life-changing decisions and try to find her way in the English world. With determination for freedom, Hannah seeks her dream of helping others. With many obstacles to overcome to do this, Hannah settles into a routine where she becomes comfortable. Hannah’s new life has responsibilities she enjoys and new friends who help her heal her body, heart and soul.
Over time, Martin Palmer sees Hannah for who she is, a God-fearing, compassionate, kind-hearted woman with a need to help others that sustains her new chosen life. Martin and Hannah’s friendship grows though Hannah is reluctant to move too fast in this relationship. She can see God working in their lives and prays that this and her recent decisions are His will.
In the meantime, Hannah’s family and Amish Community struggle to come to terms with the circumstances surrounding her departure. With no communication, Paul is also trying to understand believing she needs time to heal though he regrets his reactions and wishes he could talk to her. Hannah’s family is also struggling with the events and praying Hannah returns so they can also begin their healing and seek Hannah’s forgiveness.
Funny how a few small decisions of assuming the worst or not giving a message to someone can change the course of multiple lives. Only God can give the complete peace and healing Hannah, her family and community seeks but she will have to come to terms with her past and those who hurt her. It’s another crisis that sends Hannah home to face those who need to forgive and seek forgiveness.
When the Morning Comes is the second in the Sister’s of the Quilt series by Cindy Woodsmall. It’s a powerful story on it’s own but seems it would have been helpful to read the first book. It was also a bit frustrating to be left dandling at the end not knowing the final outcome of Hannah and Martin’s relationship, (though implied), or the crisis that sends Hannah home.
Ms Woodsmall’s knowledge of the Old Order Amish and Plain Mennonite give many insights and differences into these ways of life and gives the reader just the right amount of detail. When the Morning Comes will take you through many emotions but will leave you with the peace that God and time heals though life may not turn out as you had planned. I look forward to the third book that will tie up the loose ends.
Trudy
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