A Season for Tending

Rhoda Byler is an independent businesswoman living in an Old Order Amish world. Her family and church tolerate her unusual ways until she maneuvers a young Amish man, Rueben Glick, into admitting his infidelity to his girlfriend. That ignites Glick’s determination to destroy Rhoda’s business and any standing she has among not only her Amish community but with her English neighbors as well. When Rhoda finds Leah King passed out drunk in Rhoda’s berry patch, her concern for the girl leads to an unusual bond. Leah’s brother Samuel, who comes to retrieve his wayward sister, becomes intrigued by Rhoda and her horticultural skills. With his orchard teetering on the brink of disaster, Samuel comes up with a plan to rescue Rhoda from Glick’s attacks and save his own business, too. Woodsmall (Plain Wisdom) uses this first book of a new series to introduce readers to the large Byler and King clans, along with a generous cast of peripheral characters. Her knowledge of Amish practices is evident in the details. Much is left unresolved, however, and readers will need to check out subsequent books in the series to find out what happens. Agent: Steve Laube. (Sept.)