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The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

                              By Cindy Woodsmall

Annie and Aden couldn't be more different. Annie is Old Order Mennonite and Aden is Old Order Amish. But their friendship could destroy their families and their communities.

Annie's grandfather Moses Burkholder is in business with the Zook family. Being Mennonite Moses can supply the electricity to the Zook's diner is required to have. This partnership has lasted for years.

When Aden's father David and his brother Roman were injured during a farming accident five years earlier, Moses and Annie both helped out at the diner. During this time Annie and Aden developed a strong friendship, a friendship that had the possibility of lasting throughout their lives.

When Annie comes to visit her Daadi Moses, she helps at the diner while Roman is gone for a week. As Annie and Aden work together she helps Aden with his stuttering, something no one else has been able to do. Annie and Aden also spend time in Moses's cherry orchard, the orchard he planted as a sign of his commitment and pledge to marriage Esther all those many years ago.

But when Moses fears that Annie and Aden's friendship might be becoming something more he threatens to end his partnership if Aden and Annie don't break off all contact with each other. Roman is determined to separate Aden and Annie but what are his motivations? Are they self-centered or family centered?

But Annie and Aden are torn. They know they should not see each other because of the vows they have each taken when they joined their respective faiths, but they are drawn to each other.

But can the threat of losing everything tear them apart or will they follow their hearts. But what is the greater love – love of faith, family and community or the love of the heart's soul mate? As Annie and Aden try to decide what God wants and expects of them, they cling to the promise of the cheery blossoms. Will the scent of the cherry blossoms bring two gentle loving hearts together or will it be a reminder of what might have been?

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms is a story that draws you in. You care about Annie and Aden and you understand the fears of their respective families. It is a story of love and sacrifice.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Want to learn more about Cindy visit her website here or her Bio page on Multnomah.

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