The Sound of Sleigh Bells

By: Cindy Woodsmall

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 fiance. 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?

©2009 Cassandra Campbell (P)2009 Random House Audio

So good

Cindy Woodsmall's Amish writing stands out along with Beverly Lewis' books. The Sound of Sleigh Bells was not just a 'Christmas' story - her characters were real - the story line believable - I would recommend this story.

A self absorbed protagonist

How this book ever received 5 stars I will never know. The only way I knew this woman was of any Christian persuasion was the fact that she is Amish and she dressed like one. She is cold and all about herself. I don’t recommend this book and I am highly disappointed in it. It’s very morose and depressing!

The Sound of Sleigh Bells

What did you like best about this story?

So many things. I enjoy books about the Amish as they seem to increase my joy and peace. This was such an uplifting story of two deeply wounded people, who finally come back to life. Mrs. Woodsmall does an excellent job telling the story and developing her characters. Beth and her Aunt Lizzie were amazing as was Jonah and his brother Amos. The scenes just unfold before your mind's eye.

Which character – as performed by Cassandra Campbell – was your favorite?

She did an excellent job with the entire narration.

i liked it

i would say it would be on my listen agian list

Sweet, enjoyable story

I read this after "The Christmas Singing", which actually follows on from this book, but would have to say I prefer this one. It took me a while to get into it, maybe because I started listening to it when I was busy finishing off coursework at the end of the semester and wasn't able to concentrate and appreciate it properly. But by the end of the book I was really enjoying it and had really come to sympathise with Beth. The secret behind her mourning Henry definitely changed my perception of this book, which had previously seemed to be about a girl who had had one failed relationship and didn't want to be hurt again, and turned it into a much deeper, more meaningful story. I'm also impressed with Cindy for tackling such a tough subject amongst the Amish and making readers realise that such things can happen in any community. I also liked the concept of Lizzie, Beth's aunt, setting up Beth and Jonah without them realising it via letters. It was sweet, and it's not often that letters feature in such a way in Amish novels. It made a nice change. Overall, I really did enjoy this story and I'm looking forward to reading "When the Heart Cries" (which has been on my shelf for far too long!) sometime in 2012.