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Trudy: The Cedar Cove Chronicles, Book Four
Shortly after eloping with her sister's boyfriend, Trudy soon found herself in an abusive marriage. Now, six years later, she's coming home, unsure if she'll be accepted or rejected by the ones she loves and hurt the most.
588 pages, Paperback
First published November 20, 2012
1 person is currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Ulmer
13 books146 followersAward medal recipient and acclaimed writer Cynthia Ulmer was born in Newport News, Virginia, and raised in Leland, North Carolina. Her wholesome 'Southern Family Fictional' book series, The Cedar Cove Chronicles, is an award-winning series of books.
It is a Christian-themed realistic drama series that follows the Jansan family and their friends and neighbors in the fictional community of Cedar Cove, North Carolina, during the 1940s and 1950s. Books one and four of "The Cedar Cove Chronicles" have won medals from the 'Wishing Shelf Indie Book Awards' and several have received several 5-star book reviews from Readers Favorite.
Now ready to bring readers to the present, she has released a new book series called Beyond Cedar Cove. Book one, Underneath The Honeysuckle Vine, was released in 2021, and book two, Broken Circle, is set to release soon. Her titles are available on Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and many other online bookstores and literary publications.
Cynthia shares, "Some people grapple with their life's purpose, while others are born knowing it. At an early age, I knew I would be a writer--as the narratives were always alive in my mind." The author's characters are so rich and relatable that readers will feel an intimate connection with them and eagerly anticipate the next chapter in their lives. The author hopes her books resonate with readers, stirring their hearts and inspiring them to foster deeper faith-filled connections with the Lord.
When Cynthia isn't writing, she finds joy in cooking, crocheting, immersing herself in music, and delving into the works of her favorite authors, Catherine Hyde Ryan, Lucinda Berry, and Wiley Cash. Above all, she treasures the time spent with her extensive family, particularly her grandchildren. Cynthia and her husband continue to call North Carolina home.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 22, 2014
What can I say about Trudy, the fourth book of the Cedar Cove Chronicles? In one word: WOW. I was hooked on the author’s books from the get-go, but she has really outdone herself with this one. By far my absolute favorite of the series, it is also longer than the previous 3, but in spite of that fact, I found myself not wanting the book to end! Sometimes with books that impress this much it can be hard to find the words to describe them, but I’ll try.
We begin with being introduced to Trudy, who we had seen briefly in the first book as a close friend of Todd Jansan’s older sister, Libby. She and her young son, Toby, are fleeing an abusive home in the opening pages, one that has been fraught with terrible domestic violence. We see her after she has plucked up the courage to come back to the home she had run away from. I’m glad that the author starts us out at this point, we do get plenty of flashbacks to the abuse she and her son have endured over the years, but I’m thankful that we don’t have to go through the heartache of seeing her treated that way over the course of an entire book before she makes the decision to leave. She’s shown to be a fierce mother, who will do anything for her son, although she is deeply afraid of returning home, she knows she has to get them away from her abusive husband, as his treatment of them is only worsening.
She comes home, scared of rejection from her family due to the fact that she ran away six years prior to us coming in, and has not been in touch with them since. To make it worse, it was her own sister’s boyfriend that she ran off with, (her sister actually dodged a bullet there, both girls would have been far better off if Mark Gideon had never entered their lives, but then we wouldn’t have a story, of course).
As Trudy returns home and is picking up the fragments of her life, her husband comes after her. Mark Gideon is an interesting villain to say the least. One thing that Mrs. Ulmer has always been good at is writing intriguing villains who are never simply one dimensional. We learn there is a reason behind Mark’s behavior and actions. He’s a very calculating individual, definitely one of the most psychologically interesting villains I’ve read in a while. His background is highly original and engaging, he is all at once intimidating and fascinating.
As the story progresses, Trudy and her son start to have a somewhat normal life in Cedar Cove, becoming less fractured as they go. The healing process has begun and Trudy reconnects with those she had long ago left behind. However, once she learns that Mark Gideon is after her and their son, the bit of happiness they had begun to build is threatened. I can’t say too much without giving everything away, but this is truly a gem to read.
My favorite of the series yet, I almost find it hard to review because I want to say so much about the various events that take place in the book but I also don’t want to give any spoilers away! This is a story of epic proportions, drama, thriller, mystery, and redemption at its best. The book does leave on a cliffhanger, but not to worry! There’s a follow up book to Trudy, the fifth book in the series picks up exactly where this one leaves off. You’ll want to immediately have it on hand to jump right into as soon as you finish up Trudy. Accurately titled Mark, we get to delve even deeper into his character’s psyche than we even do in this one. Which I am finishing up now and will promptly review as soon as I am finished with it, just do yourself a favor and pick this up! You will not regret it.
We begin with being introduced to Trudy, who we had seen briefly in the first book as a close friend of Todd Jansan’s older sister, Libby. She and her young son, Toby, are fleeing an abusive home in the opening pages, one that has been fraught with terrible domestic violence. We see her after she has plucked up the courage to come back to the home she had run away from. I’m glad that the author starts us out at this point, we do get plenty of flashbacks to the abuse she and her son have endured over the years, but I’m thankful that we don’t have to go through the heartache of seeing her treated that way over the course of an entire book before she makes the decision to leave. She’s shown to be a fierce mother, who will do anything for her son, although she is deeply afraid of returning home, she knows she has to get them away from her abusive husband, as his treatment of them is only worsening.
She comes home, scared of rejection from her family due to the fact that she ran away six years prior to us coming in, and has not been in touch with them since. To make it worse, it was her own sister’s boyfriend that she ran off with, (her sister actually dodged a bullet there, both girls would have been far better off if Mark Gideon had never entered their lives, but then we wouldn’t have a story, of course).
As Trudy returns home and is picking up the fragments of her life, her husband comes after her. Mark Gideon is an interesting villain to say the least. One thing that Mrs. Ulmer has always been good at is writing intriguing villains who are never simply one dimensional. We learn there is a reason behind Mark’s behavior and actions. He’s a very calculating individual, definitely one of the most psychologically interesting villains I’ve read in a while. His background is highly original and engaging, he is all at once intimidating and fascinating.
As the story progresses, Trudy and her son start to have a somewhat normal life in Cedar Cove, becoming less fractured as they go. The healing process has begun and Trudy reconnects with those she had long ago left behind. However, once she learns that Mark Gideon is after her and their son, the bit of happiness they had begun to build is threatened. I can’t say too much without giving everything away, but this is truly a gem to read.
My favorite of the series yet, I almost find it hard to review because I want to say so much about the various events that take place in the book but I also don’t want to give any spoilers away! This is a story of epic proportions, drama, thriller, mystery, and redemption at its best. The book does leave on a cliffhanger, but not to worry! There’s a follow up book to Trudy, the fifth book in the series picks up exactly where this one leaves off. You’ll want to immediately have it on hand to jump right into as soon as you finish up Trudy. Accurately titled Mark, we get to delve even deeper into his character’s psyche than we even do in this one. Which I am finishing up now and will promptly review as soon as I am finished with it, just do yourself a favor and pick this up! You will not regret it.
August 1, 2017
The fourth book in Cynthia Ulmer’s, The Cedar Cove Chronicles is a good one! The tile character Trudy is one that you find in the first book for a brief moment, her story begins with a brutal domestic violence ridden marriage to Mark Gideon. Trudy has finally found the courage to escape a loveless violent marriage once the violence escalates and now includes her son.
The story brings you back to Cedar Cove and all of your favorite characters. As Trudy reunites with her family and begins to heal from the emotional and physical wounds inflicted on her she begins to find herself attracted to the first book’s main character, Todd. The feeling is mutual but they both understand that the relationship cannot proceed until Trudy is able to divorce Mark, and he cannot be found.
Once her husband Mark realizes that he has been left, he begins to search for her and as he realizes he has no control over the situation any more, he begins to slip mentally into paranoia and delusions. It’s always “fun” to see a character start to lose connection with reality and in this case, it could not happen to a nicer guy.
Through a series of events, Mark finds himself working with Bob who has recently moved from Cedar Cove after he and Nancy broke up. As they become friends Mark finds out that Trudy is now in Cedar Cove and makes his way there, so he can give her a good beating and collect the money he feels his father-in-law owes him, because he married his daughter.
Violence follows with Mark and he ends up trying to rob her father and this ends with Mark shooting him in the process. Now the race is on to find Mark before he can find Trudy. There are several twists that you won’t see coming and this especially includes the ending (no spoilers here!)
The novel does a great job of furthering the characters and I like the plot line. My only complaint is I thought there was a little too much attention given to Bob and Nancy, several times I wanted to reach in and shake Bob, I also felt Mark’s mental disintegration could have been a few pages shorter.
This book was given to me by the author Cynthia Ulmer for my honest review. You can find all of my reviews at Blessings N Bloggings
The story brings you back to Cedar Cove and all of your favorite characters. As Trudy reunites with her family and begins to heal from the emotional and physical wounds inflicted on her she begins to find herself attracted to the first book’s main character, Todd. The feeling is mutual but they both understand that the relationship cannot proceed until Trudy is able to divorce Mark, and he cannot be found.
Once her husband Mark realizes that he has been left, he begins to search for her and as he realizes he has no control over the situation any more, he begins to slip mentally into paranoia and delusions. It’s always “fun” to see a character start to lose connection with reality and in this case, it could not happen to a nicer guy.
Through a series of events, Mark finds himself working with Bob who has recently moved from Cedar Cove after he and Nancy broke up. As they become friends Mark finds out that Trudy is now in Cedar Cove and makes his way there, so he can give her a good beating and collect the money he feels his father-in-law owes him, because he married his daughter.
Violence follows with Mark and he ends up trying to rob her father and this ends with Mark shooting him in the process. Now the race is on to find Mark before he can find Trudy. There are several twists that you won’t see coming and this especially includes the ending (no spoilers here!)
The novel does a great job of furthering the characters and I like the plot line. My only complaint is I thought there was a little too much attention given to Bob and Nancy, several times I wanted to reach in and shake Bob, I also felt Mark’s mental disintegration could have been a few pages shorter.
This book was given to me by the author Cynthia Ulmer for my honest review. You can find all of my reviews at Blessings N Bloggings
January 13, 2024
Twists and turns
If you love a good down home Southern story with added mystery, the books in the 'The Cedar Cove Chronicles Series' will be what you are looking for. 'Trudy' is the fourth book in the series and has as many twists and turns as a youngster twirling in a hula hoop. Cynthia Ulmer is a master storyteller focusing on the characters you will love to hate yet hate to love.
If you love a good down home Southern story with added mystery, the books in the 'The Cedar Cove Chronicles Series' will be what you are looking for. 'Trudy' is the fourth book in the series and has as many twists and turns as a youngster twirling in a hula hoop. Cynthia Ulmer is a master storyteller focusing on the characters you will love to hate yet hate to love.
June 30, 2021
Heartwarming and Satisfying
I enjoyed this story very much. It kept me interested throughout and I found the ending very satisfying indeed and not a cliffhanger as one reviewer mentioned. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. The characters are for the main part delightful!
I enjoyed this story very much. It kept me interested throughout and I found the ending very satisfying indeed and not a cliffhanger as one reviewer mentioned. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. The characters are for the main part delightful!
July 17, 2015
The Cedar Cove Chronicles were recently entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title The Cedar Cove Chronicles Book 1 through 5
Author: Cynthia Ulmer
Star Rating: 4 stars
Number of Readers: 41
Readers’ Comments
‘What a lovely set of books. I enjoyed them very much. Book One was the best for me. It set up the story well and introduced many interesting characters. In a world dominated with vampire books, it was lovely to enjoy the story based on family life.’ Female reader, aged 43
‘The author is excellent at balancing setting and plot development. Set in the 1940s, Book One is very well written. There is an element of mystery but mostly the story is focusing on the life of a family and what it must face. Pacing needs a little work here and there but, apart from that, totally enjoyable.’ Male reader, aged 54
‘I enjoyed Book Two the most. Life in Cedar Cove is never dull particularly with the Jansen family. There’s a lot of up and downs, twists and turns. It sort of reminded me of Little House on the Prairie just with a different setting and time. The author is particularly good at working with character; they are very well developed by the end of Book One and, in each novel, they develop a little more. New characters are introduced, old characters vanish. I guess it reflects the way life is. A very enjoyable set of book.’ Female reader, age 56
‘I loved all of them but Book Four was the best. I think, if I was to suggest anything to the author, it would be to work on pace.’ Male reader, aged 49
Stats
Editing 8/10
Plot 8/10
Writing Style 9/10
Covers 7/10
Of the 41 readers:
27 thought the covers were good or excellent.
38 would read another book by this author.
3 felt the pacing was a little slow in parts.
25 thought Book 1, 2 and 4 were the strongest.
‘A well-crafted story of a family growing up. Very enjoyable and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Awards
Title The Cedar Cove Chronicles Book 1 through 5
Author: Cynthia Ulmer
Star Rating: 4 stars
Number of Readers: 41
Readers’ Comments
‘What a lovely set of books. I enjoyed them very much. Book One was the best for me. It set up the story well and introduced many interesting characters. In a world dominated with vampire books, it was lovely to enjoy the story based on family life.’ Female reader, aged 43
‘The author is excellent at balancing setting and plot development. Set in the 1940s, Book One is very well written. There is an element of mystery but mostly the story is focusing on the life of a family and what it must face. Pacing needs a little work here and there but, apart from that, totally enjoyable.’ Male reader, aged 54
‘I enjoyed Book Two the most. Life in Cedar Cove is never dull particularly with the Jansen family. There’s a lot of up and downs, twists and turns. It sort of reminded me of Little House on the Prairie just with a different setting and time. The author is particularly good at working with character; they are very well developed by the end of Book One and, in each novel, they develop a little more. New characters are introduced, old characters vanish. I guess it reflects the way life is. A very enjoyable set of book.’ Female reader, age 56
‘I loved all of them but Book Four was the best. I think, if I was to suggest anything to the author, it would be to work on pace.’ Male reader, aged 49
Stats
Editing 8/10
Plot 8/10
Writing Style 9/10
Covers 7/10
Of the 41 readers:
27 thought the covers were good or excellent.
38 would read another book by this author.
3 felt the pacing was a little slow in parts.
25 thought Book 1, 2 and 4 were the strongest.
‘A well-crafted story of a family growing up. Very enjoyable and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Awards
December 8, 2015
For people who did not grow up in N.C. Mrs. Ulmer took you there even if you have never seen our wonderful state. She did a good job in explaining different places, mileage, views, roads etc. I really enjoyed reading Trudy.
June 25, 2016
Exceptional book 5 STARS. Fear, Longing, Redemptions. Family issues are always the most complicated- and are handled superbly by the author. Cynthia Ulmer continues to master her craft.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews