Review: The Walnut Creek Wish by Wanda E. Brunstetter

The Walnut Creek Wish by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

Book 1 in the Creektown Discoveries Series from NYT Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter

An Antique Store Becomes a Place of Healing for Broken Hearts
 
Welcome to Walnut Creek, Ohio, where Orley and Lois Troyer own an antique store they call “Memory Keepers.” Though knowledgeable in antiques and their repair, their real talent is in mentoring folks who are hurting and don’t even know it. Enter Jeff, a restaurateur, and Rhonda, a hotel manager, who recently moved to Amish country for the slow pace, but the change of scenery puts even more stress on their already strained marriage. Will an antique sled be the last straw, or will it lead to unexpected revelations and the fulfillment of dreams?

My Review:

The Walnut Creek Wish begins Wanda E Brunstetter’s Creektown Discoveries series. It is exactly what I would expect from her work books. This story is full of faith, forgiveness, hope, and healing. I adored the couple Orley and Lois Troyer. I love how they showed support and comfort for those around them, especially for Jeff and Rhonda. I found the whole tale to be beautiful and inspiring.

The Walnut Creek Wish is getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean Amish fiction. I can not wait for the release of book two from Creektown Discoveries series, Sugarcreek Surprise.

I received a paperback copy of The Walnut Creek Wish from Wanda E Brunstetter, but was not required to write a review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

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Review: The Return to the Big Valley by Wanda E. Brunstetter / Jean Brunstetter / Richelle Brunstetter

The Return to the Big Valley 

by 

Wanda E. Brunstetter 

Jean Brunstetter 

Richelle Brunstetter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

The Brunstetters Return to a Unique Amish Setting for Three New Stories of Love
 
Journey back to an area of Pennsylvania that is home to three distinct Amish communities and meet three young women who face heartfelt disappointments in romance.
 
Wilma’s Wish by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Wilma Hostetler has been courted by Israel Zook for the last year, and he’s recently proposed marriage. But when his sister dies, leaving him to care for five young nephews who openly dislike Wilma, she has second thoughts of starting with a ready-made family and decides to call off the wedding. Can anything be done to restore the relationship, or will Israel seek another wife?
 
Martha’s Miracle by Jean Brunstetter
Martha Yoder is different from other Amish women in her love of hunting and the outdoors. Meeting Glen Swarey, who is working with the local fire department, seems to be a good match. But can Martha accept Glen’s thoughts of leaving the Amish faith, or will she walk away from a chance at love?
 
Alma’s Acceptance by Richelle Brunstetter
Alma Wengerd is a young widow who leaves her home in Kentucky to stay with friends in Pennsylvania. Soon she is speeding into a renewed romance with Elias Kurtz and raising the brows of the older church members. When Alma is waylaid by some unexpected news, could putting her happiness with Elias on hold be her only option?

My Review: 

The Return to the Big Valley is a collection of three Amish stories. These stories include:
Wilma’s Wish by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Martha’s Miracle by Jean Brunstetter
Alma’s Acceptance by Richelle Brunstetter
I enjoyed every one of these short stories. All of them are heartwarming with clean romance. I was entertained with all three. Readers will be able to connect with one or more of the characters. Though, I liked them all, my favorite of the three would have to be Wanda E Brunstetter’s Wilma’s Wish.

The Return to the Big Valley is getting four stars from me. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading sweet Amish fiction. It is definitely worth a read. I liked it.

I received a paperback copy of The Return to the Big Valley from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

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Review: The Crow's Call by Wanda E. Brunstetter

The Crow's Call by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

Mysterious Events Plague a Greenhouse in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country
 
When Vernon King, his son, and son-in-law are involved in a terrible accident, three women are left to cope with their deaths, as they become the sole providers of the family they have left. The women’s only income must come from the family greenhouse, but someone seems to be trying to force them out of business.
 Amy King has just lost her father and brother, and her mother needs her to help run the family’s greenhouse. It doesn’t seem fair to ask her to leave a job she loves, when there is still a sister and brother to help. But Sylvia is also grieving for her husband while left to raise three children, and Henry, just out of school, is saddled with all the jobs his father and older brother used to do. As Amy assumes her new role, she also asks Jared Riehl to put their courtship on hold. When things become even more stressful at the greenhouse, will Amy crumble under the pressure?



My Review: 

The Crow's Call is the first installment from Wanda E Brunstetter’s newest series, Amish Greenhouse Mystery. I thought it was a great read. I thought was a little bit different from the author’s previous work. It may be up there with one of my favorites I have read by her to date. I had it read in one sitting.

The Crow’s Call gets five plus stars from me. I cannot wait to read the next addition to the Amish Greenhouse Mystery series.

I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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Review: Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Christmas Cookbook by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Wanda E. Brunstetter's 

Amish Friends Christmas Cookbook

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb:

The must-have cookbook of the season is Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Christmas Cookbook—a brand new collection of holiday recipes and insights into Christmas celebrations direct from Amish homes. You’ll also enjoy the addition of scriptures and common Amish sayings. Surrounded by a beautiful lay-flat binding, this cookbook is the perfect holiday gift for yourself and friends



My Review: 

Wanda E Brunstetter's Amish Friends Christmas Cookbook is a handy cookbook to have in the kitchen, not just a Christmas but any time. When I think of Amish cooking, I think of many many steps that I know I wouldn't want to even try to cook like them. But the recipes in the cookbook are short and quick. I found myself constantly marking pages so I can go back and try those recipes at another time. My mouth just waters reading them. All sound so yummy. I'm quite impressed!
In addition to the recipes, their other sections that tell about the Amish during the Christmas time. They include: A Brief History of the Amish and Mennonites, An Amish Christmas, Christmas Program, Christmas Traditions, Christmas Meals, Christmas Gifts, Christmas Music, Christmas Decorations and Cards, Second Christmas, Old Christmas, and Entertaining and Games. I found these sections interesting and fun to read.
I highly recommend this cookbook for any kitchen. I love it! It is among my favorite go to cookbooks all year long.
5 stars

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Review: The Healing Jar by Wanda E Brunstetter

The Healing Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

What if you have waited to find love only to be rejected when it finally comes?
 
Lenore Lapp is an Amish schoolteacher in her late twenties still living at home with her parents and grandparents. She thought love had passed her by until she meets Jesse Smucker, a widower with a baby daughter. She quickly falls in love with them both and accepts Jesse’s proposal of marriage, but Jesse breaks off their engagement when he realizes he can’t marry only for convenience.
 Resigned to living single, Lenore throws herself into caring for her elders. While working in her grandmother’s garden, she digs up an old jar. Will Lenore find healing for her broken heart and solve long-buried family secrets by reading the note contained inside?



My Review: 

The Healing Jar is the third installment from Wanda Brunstetter's The Prayer Jar series. I have loved the other books in this series and this one does not disappoint. I believe this one is my favorite of the series. It is fun to catch up with the primary characters from the previous books. I enjoyed Lenore and Jesse's story and getting to know them.

I give The Healing Jar five plus stars. I am so sad to see the end of this series. I highly recommend this book and recommend readers to read the prior installments of the series before reading this one.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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Review: The Brides of the Big Valley by Wanda E Brunstetter / Jean Brustetter / Richelle Brunstetter

The Brides of the Big Valley: 

3 Romances from a Unique
Pennsylvania Amish Community

by Wanda E. Brunstetter,
Jean Brunstetter,
and
Richelle Brunstetter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

3 Short Stories of Love in a Unique Amish Community
 In an area of Pennsylvania called The Big Valley, a uniquely blended Amish community thrives in which 3 distinct groups of Amish identify themselves by the colors of their buggy’s top—white, black, or yellow. Join New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter in experiencing the stories of three young women who search for faith and love within this special place. Deanna is a widow who sees her second chance of love slipping away. Rose Mary is at a point in life where she must choose the path of her faith and the right man to walk with her on it. Leila is burdened with family responsibilities and wonders when she will ever start a family of her own.



My Review: 

The Brides of the Big Valley is a collection of three romances from a unique Pennsylvania Amish Community. These romances include:

Deanna’s Determination by Wanda E Brunstetter – story of a widow, Deanna, having a second chance at love.
Rose Mary’s Resolve by Jean Brunstetter – Rose Mary has to choose between staying Amish or follow her love.
Leila’s Longing by Richelle Brunstetter – Leila struggles which community she should be with.

I enjoyed every one of these stories. I give the whole collection five plus stars.

I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.



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Review: Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Gatherings Cookbook

Wanda E. Brunstetter's
Amish Friends Gatherings Cookbook: 

Over 200 Recipes for Carry-In Favorites with
Tips for Making the Most of the Occasion

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

New Compilation of the Recipes that Bring the Amish Together 
Brand new, from New York Times bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter, is a collection of over 200 recipes that are great for taking along and sharing where people meet to worship, work, and play. Included are tips for traveling with and serving food as well as personal stories of how gatherings are at the heart of the Amish community. The well-organized book boasts contributions from Amish and Mennonites from across the United States. Categories include Beverages, Snacks, Breads and Rolls, Salads, Side Dishes, Main Dishes, Desserts, and Feeding a Crowd. Encased in a lay-flat binding and presented in full color, home cooks from all backgrounds will want to add this cookbook to their collection. Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Gatherings Cookbook is sure to become a treasured resource.



My Review: 

I can not wait to try one of the recipes from Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Gatherings Cookbook: Over 200 Recipes for Carry-In Favorites with Tips for Making the Most of the Occasion. This cookbook has easy to follow instructions with vibrant colored pictures. There are eight sections of recipes, which include:
Recipes for Beverages
Recipes for Snacks
Recipes for Breads and Rolls
Recipes for Salads
Recipes for Side Dishes
Recipes for Main Dishes
Recipes for Desserts
Recipes for Feeding a Crowd
In addition to the recipes, there are Amish tips to make a gathering a success. There are even some gluten free recipes.
I highly recommend Wanda E Brunstetter's Amish Friends Gatherings Cookbook and give it five plus stars.
I received this cookbook from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Five Stars.

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Review: The Forgiving Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter

The Forgiving Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

Sara Murray had never met her mother’s parents and was surprised to learn after her death that they were Amish living in Pennsylvania. When she is finally able to make the trip to meet them, she is shocked to learn someone else has been living with them and pretending to be Sara. Sara can’t understand how quickly her grandparents are willing to forgive the imposter.
 
Secrets and deceit seem to follow Sara, and she is so tired of it. Though soon she meets Brad Fuller who is visiting her grandparents for during Christmas. She likes him a lot, but even he seems to pull away from her, not being totally honest.
 
Struggling, Sara finds an old canning jar hidden in the barn that is full of encouraging prayers. Can Sara find a way to forgive the past and move on to building new relationships?



My Review: 

The Forgiving Jar is the fabulous addition from Wanda Brunstetter’s The Prayer Jars series. I just loved this book and enjoyed catching up with the characters from the first book of the series. I highly recommend for readers to read The Hope Jar before starting this one. The is a perfect story for anyone struggling to forgive themselves or others. Mrs Brunstetter has the best books for faith and inspiration and this one is no exception.
The Forgiving Jar would be getting one hundred stars if it was possible. I loved it and highly recommend it. It is among my favorites of Amish Fiction.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.


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Review: Woman of Courage: Collector's Edition Continues the Story of Little Fawn by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Blurb (from Amazon):

A Woman of Courage Makes an Epic Journey

Take a three-thousand mile journey with Amanda Pearson as she leaves the disgrace of a broken engagement and joins the work at a Quaker mission in the western wilds. The trip is fraught with danger, and Amanda is near death before reaching her destination. Among those she meets are an Indian woman who becomes her first convert and a half-Indian trapper who seems to be her biggest critic. But love follows her into the wilderness and will determine the course of her future. You are sure to enjoy this historical romance adventure from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter.
 
Included is the newly-written sequel, Woman of Hope, with Little Fawn’s story.

Raised as an orphan by a loving white couple, Little Fawn always felt something was missing from her life. She longs to take the news of Jesus to the Nez Perce Indians, but despite being a missionary herself, Little Fawn’s mother forbids it. Will White Wolf, her intended, support Little Fawn’s decision when she abruptly follows the tribe’s migration onto the Plains?

My Review: 

Woman of Courage really shows how talented Wanda Brunstetter is and why she is so popular. I think this novel is probably one of her better works and among my favorite of hers. I loved the main character of Amanda. She is such a strong, admirable, influential and fascinating woman! 

I highly recommend Woman of Courage. I am giving it a well deserved five plus stars. It is most definitely not one to be missed. 

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion. 

Review: The Christmas Prayer by Wanda Brunstetter

Blurb (from Amazon):

Beloved, bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter takes readers on a journey in 1850 along the California Trail.
 
Only the brave—or foolhardy—would attempt a cross-country journey late in the season. Three wagons meet up in Independence, Missouri, in April 1850, and their owners decide to keep forging ahead despite many setbacks and delays. December finds them in the Sierra Nevada Mountains when a sudden snowstorm traps them, obscuring the trail.
 
Cynthia Cooper is traveling with her mother and the man she has promised to marry. But as Christmas is upon them and they are hunkered down in a small cabin, she is forced to reevaluate her reasons for planning to marry fellow-traveler Walter Prentice. When a widowed father heading to a California ranch and a gold prospector both show an interest in Cynthia, she weighs her dreams for marriage alongside her responsibility to care for her mother. Can love win over her timid heart?

My Review: 

The Christmas Prayer is a quick, clean and sweet historical read. I loved main character Cynthia Cooper from the start. I loved seeing through her eyes what life was like in 1850 going on the California Trail at Christmas time. I could not imagine what they would have endured during those times. 

I give The Christmas Prayer 5 plus stars. I would highly recommend it to readers who love a great, inspiring faith filled Christmas stories.

I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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Review: The Hope Jar (The Prayer Jars #1) by Wanda Brunstetter

Blurb (from Amazon): 

What happens when making an elderly Amish couple very happy means going along with a lie that gets bigger by the day?

Michelle Taylor is not who her new family in Lancaster County believes her to be. The Lapps were looking for their long-lost granddaughter when they met Michelle and she assumed the identity of Sara Murray. Once homeless and hopeless, Michelle has come to love her new Amish friends and even considers the idea of romance among them.

Finding an old blue jar in the barn that is filled with slips of paper containing thoughts, quotes, and prayers by an unknown author becomes a boost to Michelle s budding faith but also convicting. How can she tell the truth without hurting the ones she has truly come to love?

My Review:

 

The Hope Jar is the first book from The Prayer Jars series. I thought this book was great. I was not sure about Michelle at first but she grew on me. I started wanting to root for her too see the love of God. There are a few twists I did not see coming towards the end. Which I like a story that is not predictable. 

I give The Hope Jar five plus stars. It is a beautiful story of hope, faith, inspiration, and the power of forgiveness. 

Highly recommended.

I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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Review: The Hawaiian Discovery by Wanda Brustetter / Jean Brunstetter

Blurb (from Amazon):

An Amish Woman Finds Love in Hawaii

Ellen Lambright mourned when her best friend, Mandy, moved from Indiana to Hawaii. But now Ellen has received the Amish church’s permission to go to Hawaii and help Mandy through challenging times. Rob Smith works on the Williams family’s organic farm, far from his past mistakes and burning regrets. When Ellen befriends Rob, the attraction is mutual, but her commitment to the Amish faith stands between them. Could a heartfelt discovery lead to forgiveness, reunion, and love? Or is Ellen’s destiny waiting for her in Indiana?

My Review: 

The Hawaiian Discovery is the second installment from Wanda Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter’s Hawaiian series. I love this unique story of beautiful Hawaii and Amish love. Ellen is a likable character and I enjoyed the adventure she goes on. There are a few plot twists and surprises that I know I did not see coming.

Overall, The Hawaiian Discovery is a good book that I recommend. It would be helpful for a reader to first read book one, The Hawaiian Quilt. I give this one four stars.

I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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Review: The Celebration (Amish Cooking Class #3) by Wanda Brunstetter

Blurb (from Amazon):

Return to Holmes County, Ohio, for Amish style cooking class.
Lyle and Heidi Troyer have taken in a brother and sister, who were orphaned when their parents were killed in a car accident. Hoping to help the children adapt and make friends, Heidi decides to hold a series of cooking classes for kids. But kids are always accompanied by an adult—and that is where the trouble arises.
 
Miranda Cooper is living the life of a single mom to her two kids while separated from her husband, but Trent is trying to worm his way back into her heart.
 
Denise McGuire’s life as a wife, mom, and real estate broker is full and spilling over.
 
Darren Keller, single dad and firefighter, and Ellen Blackburn, single mom and nurse, find a few things in common.
 
Will hearts be healed over plates of Amish food?

My Review: 

The Celebration is a fabulous addition to Wanda Brunstetter’s The Amish Cooking Class series. This third installment of the series involves Heidi Troyer teaching yet another cooking class. Only this time she is teaching children. To her surprise, the children’s parents stay during the classes and their lives intertwine with one another. I enjoyed catching up with Heidi and her husband, Lyle, and excited that they are now foster parents to two beautiful children.

Like the other books in the series, The Celebration is heartwarming, full of faith, and inspiration. I highly recommend it!
5+ stars
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100 percent my own honest opinion.

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Review: The Blessing (The Amish Cooking Class #2) by Wanda Brunstetter

Amazon

The Blessing is book two from Wanda Brunstetter's The Amish Cooking Class series. In this installment, we meet 6 new students in Heidi's class. These students include:
Nicole - a young teen girl, who is trying to learn to cook for her divorced dad and family. She's, also, dealing with her mother's abandonment.
Lisa - a caterer, who is trying to find new ways to improve her business.
Todd - a food critic, who wants to write an article about the class but does not tell anyone of his intentions.
Bill - a hunter, who wants to impress his hunting buddies by cooking something new (and good) at their cabin during the season.
Allie - a lonely housewife and mother, who is taking the class because it was a gift by her husband.
Lance - a widowed mailman, who wants to find a new way to spend his time.
Though not a student of the class, unwed and pregnant Kendra plays a part of the story right from the start.

I cannot tell how much I love this series and The Blessing is a wonderful addition to it. There is so much a reader can learn from reading this book. Forgiveness, redemption, faith, compassion, and trust. There are scenes of heartache and tears, while others with laughter and smiles, and even some romance when least expected. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series and see what happens next for Heidi and her students.

Highly highly recommended.

100 stars.

I received this book from the publisher but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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Review: The Farmer's Market Mishap (Lopsided Christmas Cake #2) by Wanda Brunstetter / Jean Brunstetter

Amazon

The Farmer's Market Mishap is the second book from Wanda Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter's Lopsided Christmas Cake series. The reader is taken back to Topeka, Indiana with twins Elma and Thelma. Thelma is now married with a little one on the way, while Elma lives alone and staying busy running the family's store. Elma wonders if she would ever find herself married. She tries to find a connection with Delbert and then something happens at the store that could change everything.

I thought The Farmer's Market Mishap was a pretty good and short read. The scenes with Elma and Ben were so sweet and loved had a little dog brought them together. I knew the two were from two different worlds but was rooting for them. There were a few moments I found myself laughing out loud and others I wanted to cry. I think this was a good lighthearted and easy to read story and I recommend it for those who love Amish fiction.

Four stars.

I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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