A Sister's Secret by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Sisters of Holmes County

Grace is the oldest sister in the Hostettler family. Having put her rumschpringe (running around years) behind her, she has returned to Holmes County, joined the Amish church, and begun a new life.

For the past four years, everything has been going fairly well, until the day she sees an English man who knows enough of her past to jeopardize her future. Will Gary Walker's passion for Grace destroy more than one life? Amish man Cleon Schrock is planning to marry Grace, but ignorant of her past.

Will love and faith triumph over shame and deception in Holmes County?

My Review:
As I read this Amish novel, I thought that of the four I've read by this author, it was the best. However, by the time I came to the final page, I had changed my mind. The author does the unforgivable; she leaves the reader hanging.

Secrets are dangerous things to keep. Grace, the protagonist, is haunted by the secrets in her past life. She desperately wants to tell Cleon, her fiance, but the time never seems appropriate. One day, the truth is revealed, and Grace's world turns upside down. It is interesting to see the Amish way of forgiveness at work. But does it always apply? Will Cleon be able to forgive and accept Grace? Fortunately, for the reader's satisfaction, that question is answered.

Attacks against the Hostettler property cause unexplained damage and increase in intensity. Who is responsible? Throughout the novel, the question is asked over and over and discussed at length. Yet the final page is turned without revealing the answer. Talk about a cliff hanger! This ends so abruptly, this reader is left totally frustrated.

If you're a fan of this author, you'll enjoy this one. But when you buy this book, be certain to buy the sequel A Sister's Test. It's the only way you can find out how it ends.

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A Cousin's Promise (Indiana Cousins) by Wanda Brunstetter

Willkumm to the lush and lavish Amish country where this new romantic series, Indiana Cousins, begins. Loraine Miller finds herself torn between the love of two good men.

When a horrific accident cripples Wayne Lambright, he finds it difficult enough to take care of himself, much less Loraine Miller, his future bride. Will he sacrifice his happiness to give her a better life? Having already been jilted once, Loraine is terrified of yet another rejection.

But does she love Wayne enough to marry him, for better or worse? When her old boyfriend Jake Beechy returns from exploring the English world, he hopes Loraine will give him another chance. How will God work to give Loraine the desires of her heart? To which man will she pledge her love and loyalty--for better or worse, until death they do part?

My Review:
The title of this Amish romance should be Accidents as it's loaded with one tragic accident after another. I do not remember ever having read a book so crammed full of mishaps.

The plot is slow moving and repetitive, almost to the point of stopping--only to speed up at the satisfying end. The large cast of characters are rather flat, but since this is the first in the Indiana Cousins series, I expect them to be fleshed out in books to come. Several of the characters have problems that will drastically influence the course of their lives. Tripod is one unique character that's worth watching. I like the author's interweaving of the Plain People's jargon.

Fans of Amish specialist Brunstetter, will enjoy this one, and be interested in some starter for Friendship Bread. Discussion questions are included at the end as well as a recipe for Loraine's Favorite Chicken.

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White Christmas Pie by Wanda Brunstetter

Abandoned by his father, Will Henderson was raised by an Amish couple. Now he's about to marry Karen Yoder but is having second thoughts. Can Will overcome the bitterness of his past in order to secure his future? Karen can't break through the barrier her fiance has suddenly constructed around his heart. When she seeks the advice of an old boyfriend, Will begins to see green. Has he already lost his chance for happiness? When an accident threatens Will's life, the strength of blood ties is tested. Will a recipe for White Christmas pie contain the ingredients for a happily-ever-after?

My Review:
Although my grandparents lived in Pennsylvania, and I have often visited there and seen the Amish riding in their horse and buggy, I never have read an Amish Christian Fiction book before this one. I knew that Wanda E. Brunstetter has a reputation of being an expert on Amish literature, and so I looked forward to this new experience. I'm glad I had the opportunity. This is a lovely Christmas time story.

In this romance novel, I learned a good bit about the Plain People. Will Henderson, the protagonist, is a well-developed character who is engaged to marry Karen Yoder. He was abandoned as a young six-year-old and wrestles with repressed hostility and jealous rages which he controls by shutting down and walking away. But can this be good for an engagement? I found the plot slowing down in the middle, but the end was satisfying.

A dessert, White Christmas Pie, is an important ingredient in the story and is referred to often. There is a copy of the recipe that I can't wait to try. White Christmas Pie might become a Christmas tradition at my house! For fans of Wanda E. Brunstetter's writing, this will be an enjoyable one for you.

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If you would like to read the first chapter of White Christmas Pie, click here.

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