Ties That Bind

A Novel

By: Cindy Woodsmall

Narrated by: Stina Nielsen

Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Twenty-year-old Ariana Brenneman loves her family and the Old Ways. She has two aspirations: open a café in historic Summer Grove to help support her family's ever-expanding brood and keep any other Amish from being lured into the Englisch life by Quill Schlabach. Five years ago Quill and her dear friend, Frieda, ran off together, and Ariana still carries the wounds of that betrayal. When she unexpectedly encounters him, she soon realizes he has plans to help someone else she loves leave the Amish.

Despite how things look, Quill's goal has always been to protect Ariana from anything that may hurt her, including the reasons he left. After returning to Summer Grove on another matter, he unearths secrets about Ariana and her family that she is unaware of. His love and loyalty to her beckons him to try to win her trust and help her find a way to buy the café - because when she learns the truth that connects her and a stranger named Skylar Nash, Quill knows it may upend her life forever.

©2015 Cindy Woodsmall (P)2015 Recorded Books

A Realist Portrayal of Amish Life

Where does Ties That Bind rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Overall I think this book is one of the best I have heard. I believe that Ariana and Quill interactions were believable. However, the other characters' dialogue was a bit boring and predictable.In contrast, Woodsmall did her homework which made the story for me and other individuals who have intimate knowledge of the Amish, believable and engaging a majority of the time,. The themes were thoughtful and the book made this reader questioned some of her reactions to the Amish when one of their group decides to leave. I never looked at it from the eyes of the ones left behind; only from those wishing to do things that are not bad but are forbidden by tradition.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I am already interested in the subject matter because of personal experiences.

What about Stina Nielsen’s performance did you like?

I am from the Midwest of the USA and have been friends with some members of the both the Mennonites and various sects of the Amish. Each group seems different in some others in regards to interactions with the " English". . Most orders seem to be reflected in this novel. . I have studied the Anabaptist for years. Also I have read dozen of novels and novelettes, but this stands out from all the rest because it raises some the issues many younger Amish face. I wanted to read more about the groups that have rescue or have left them.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Nothing was wrong, she did a good job with the material. The author controls dialogue, which of course affect the narrator's production. I found the book's pace was too slow and the dialogue predictable.Overall, the narration was excellent. It was consistent with what I have come to expect from Audible.

Any additional comments?

The book fairly treated the subject of the oppressive nature of the Amish community's Ordnung . Most forbids friendship with outsiders. This one rule is an example of the control it has over its members. This one clearly disregards the Biblical call of Jesus's great commission to His followers::"Go into all the world and make disciples." They value their traditions over the Bible. Quill challenges Ariana to be more concerned about the individual's right to choose to be a member or to attend another religious body. This book points to the difficulties faced by some which to leave as well as look at the pain of those left behind..

Wonderful

This was the best Amish fiction book that I've listened to in a long time. I can not wait for the sequel

love it!!!

An absolute joy to listen to. starting the next book right now and can't wait for another one.

great escape

great escape from busy day to day reality thru simple and down to earth characters.

excellent! I can't wait for the next installment

If you could sum up Ties That Bind in three words, what would they be?

touching - thought provoking - complex

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ties That Bind?

The last scene with Arianna in the cafe and leaving with Nicholas and Brandi. She finds peace in seeing that she can be God's instrument of grace for them.

Which character – as performed by Stina Nielsen – was your favorite?

Stina did a wonderful job on all of the characters, but Arianna is my favorite. I will be looking for more books narrated by her.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

well, i listen during my daily commute, so I was forced to stop, but I didn't want to!

Interesting story

I like the premise of the story, but it seemed slow to get down to where it was going. Several facts withheld seemed to appear suddenly, and then only to the reader... not sure about the reveal being timed so late when the characters still didn’t know. The narrator was good, yet some things seemed to be read in a way that I would have read differently. Male voices not great. Overall I did like the story, and look forward to the next installment!

Family's love

Good story of two women - one Amish and one English who gave birth on the same day amid chaos and confusion as a fire breaks out. Everyone. is safe.
The narrator had good inflection and nicely separated each character nicely.

This book is really good not easy to put down either.

I enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend it to young adults as well as older readers. It is a fascinating read. I could sympathize with Skyler and Ariana. Also when you read this book ask yourself this question the next time you hear about another person’s situation what exactly are they going through? Why did this person do what they did? Be not so quick to pass judgment.

Very good Amish Story

I enjoyed this book, it was slow to start and despite that I still enjoyed it. However towards the end of the book you’ll learn what Ariana is being asked to do— and I just don’t see how realistic it would be to force someone to do what she’s being asked to do at her age of 20 that’s the only thing that really didn’t make sense to me. I can’t say more without giving away the plot.

another good Woodsmall

Can Cindy Woodsmall write a good story or what! I have enjoyed all of her trilogies a lot. When I started this book I wasn't sure it was the first book in a trilogy but now see that it is. The author has such great insight into human nature and communicates it so well in her stories. I truly believe she could change genres and be successful but books with Amish settings is what she chooses to do.

In this book she pulls the heartstrings like she so often does and makes people make seemingly almost impossible decisions. She does a great job with her plot choices and this one is no different in that regard, you almost wonder where she does come up with the twists and turns. I'll look forward to the second book in the series later this year.