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What I'm writing in YEAR OF THE DOG

I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
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Excerpt - The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall

The Sound of Sleigh Bells
by
Cindy Woodsmall

Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.

Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?

Excerpt of chapter one:




Print book:
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Ebook:
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Comments

collettakay said…
Thanks for the chance to win!

Colletta from PA

pespi324[at]yahoo[dot]com
Mon Nov 23, 05:48:00 AM 2009
Shawntele said…
Congratulations Sheila!

I have entered a few giveaways for this book, but have yet to win. Maybe this will be my lucky entry, if not I will have to give in and grab it from the library.

Thanks for the entry, my email is:
savedbygrace7215(at)yahoo(dot)com
Mon Nov 23, 06:53:00 AM 2009
Linda said…
I, too, have tried several times to win, but haven't. I haven't read any of Cindy's books, and would love to compare her insights with Beverly Lewiw and Wanda Brunstetter. Please enter me.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
Mon Nov 23, 07:03:00 AM 2009
Holly said…
I love Cindy's books, I think she maybe my favorite Amish fiction writer. This sounds like a great read. Please enter me.

Holly, Florida
oceandreamerfla(at)aol(dot)com
Mon Nov 23, 10:39:00 AM 2009
Sheila Deeth said…
Sounds neat, and I'm looking for Christmas related books. Thanks for the chance.

sdeeth at msn dot com
Mon Nov 23, 11:10:00 AM 2009
Roanna said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mon Nov 23, 07:43:00 PM 2009
Roanna said…
Forgot my email on the first comment, so I deleted it and I'm re-commenting.

I would love to win this book. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

ohiobuckeye91[at]gmail[dot]com

Roanna from Ohio
Mon Nov 23, 07:47:00 PM 2009
Kim W said…
kimberlyiswong(at)gmail.com

Kim from California
Thu Nov 26, 02:21:00 PM 2009
Winning Readings said…
looks like a great book!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Jane Maritz
Oregon

We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/11/sound-of-sleigh-bells.html
Fri Nov 27, 08:50:00 AM 2009
Beth (BBRB) said…
This looks great! Please enter me!

Beth in CT.

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com
Fri Nov 27, 02:32:00 PM 2009
wmmahaney said…
I would so love this book. Anything Amish always appeals to me.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
Fri Nov 27, 04:09:00 PM 2009
Katie said…
Cindy Woodsmall is a fantastic Amish author! I'd love to win this latest title!
Fri Nov 27, 05:05:00 PM 2009
Ticia said…
Love'd to read this:
Ticia
pucktricks6802[at]yahoo[dot[com
Sat Nov 28, 04:27:00 PM 2009
plb8156 said…
Hi from Patti in NJ. Would sure love to win this. It looks like an excellent read :)
plb8156@aol.com
Sat Nov 28, 05:54:00 PM 2009
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