Kelly's Chance by Wanda E Brunstetter ~ Tracy's Take

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Life for Kelly McGregor is a daily drudge of driving her overbearing father’s mules along Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Canal. She dreams of one day owning an art gallery where her own drawings and paintings are on display. But these dreams don’t include marriage. . .not after seeing what her father has done to her mother. How then can Mike Cooper, a general store owner, make her realize he is different than her father and wants to support her artistic talent? Will Kelly learn that dreams can walk hand in hand with a love created by God?

What I thought:

Wanda E Brunstetter steps away from Amish fiction briefly with the first of her ‘Bridges of LeHigh Canal’ series, ‘Kelly’s Chance’. Wanda’s obvious appreciation for history springs forth as she weaves a tale from the LeHigh Canal, set in the mid 1800’s.

Kelly’s character drew me immediately, with sympathy and compassion. Wanda’s deft skill had me imagining myself in Kelly’s shoes. Hard work and a tyrannical father are pitted against Kelly’s soft nature and personal dreams. Despite the hardship Kelly is forced to endure, she proves to be a loyal and responsible young woman who desires to make good choices for the right reasons, rather that to merely escape the difficulties she faces. Despite a lack of support, she demonstrates and an enormous amount of trust in a God she barely knows, as she chooses to rely on Him for the desires of her heart. Desires she barely dares to acknowledge for herself, lest she be crushed by disappointment.

‘Kelly’s Chance’ illuminates the promise that God will bring all things together for the good of those who love Him in a way that is meaningful and tangible. I was inspired and encouraged to see challenges in life as opportunities to grow faith, rather than to be overcome by impossibilities.

With thanks to Barbour for Tracy's review copy

Guest reviewer:~ my friend and lover of all things Amish, Tracy from Beyond My Picket Fence

Relz Reviewz Extras

Reviews of A Sister's Hope, A Sister's Test & White Christmas Pie

Visit Wanda's website

Buy Wanda's books at Amazon or Koorong

White Christma Pie by Wanda E Brunstetter ~ Tracy's Take

What is it about?

Will Henderson remains a young man in turmoil sixteen years after his father left him with Amish couple Mark and Regina Stoltzfus at just six years old. While Mark and Regina have cared for and loved Will with great commitment, Will is unable to let go of the bitterness he feels towards his father, Frank.

Will holds his fiancé, Karen Yoder, at arm’s length as their upcoming wedding has him doubting his ability to be a good husband and father. He wonders if he will destroy his family the way he feels his father destroyed his life, by abandoning him. Karen longs to comfort Will and seeks to help him through the issues that arise before him. She is the epitome of the perfect wife-to-be, yet he seems intent on building a wall around his heart and keeping her out.

What I thought:

Wanda E Brunstetter has again delivered an engaging and beautiful story based on the lives of the Amish. ‘White Christmas Pie’ will snatch your attention and propel you toward the very last sentence, desperate to know if Will can set aside his bitterness and forgive his father.

I ached with Will as he was reminded of his abandonment by a newspaper article about another child, left without the love and care of her parents. His heartache is altogether tangible, his bitterness and unforgiveness entirely understandable. Wanda has done an outstanding job of taking the reader on Will’s heart-journey.

As Will faces the full force of his feelings and all their ugly ramifications in his life, he is surrounded by people who love him and would see him through his trials with victory. I felt myself willing him to stop and listen, to heed wise advice and to humble himself before the God who loves him.

In ‘White Christmas Pie’ Wanda shows how one can overcome deeply wounding experiences in our lives and seek forgiveness and healing rather than clinging to unforgiveness and bitterness as our companions through life. With God even the impossible is possible, giving us people who love us to be the gentle zephyr that blows our hearts towards Truth.

Guest reviewer:~ my friend and lover of all things Amish, Tracy from Beyond My Picket Fence

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Wanda's website

Buy Wanda's book at Amazon or Koorong

A Sister's Hope by Wanda E Brunstetter ~ Tracy's Take

What is it about?

Martha is the youngest of Roman and Judith Hostettler’s three daughters. Her dog breeding business is struggling to get off the ground, despite her passion and soft heart for her animals. As the attacks of vandalism on her family’s property continue to escalate and the Sherriff seems unconcerned and disinterested Martha decides to do a little detective work of her own.

Luke Friesen is determined to clear his name with Roman Hostettler and win the respect of the man whose daughter he wishes to court. Roman suspects Luke of the attacks on his family. Luke has a muddy history with Roman, having been fired by the surly woodworker for his youthful irresponsible attitude towards his work. Martha and Luke soon discover they are on the same mission and decide to team up and work together, keeping their growing friendship quiet so as not to arouse Roman’s ire and wrath.

What I thought:

Wanda E Brunstetter brings this trilogy to a very satisfying conclusion. I found it difficult to put the book down until the surprising revelation of the vandal in the very last pages. Martha is an engaging character full of spunk and determination. Wanda ably gives the reader an insight into the fact that Amish women are not a stereotype of quiet submission, but have their own mind and do indeed have influence in their own way. I was impressed with how Roman cares for his family, and is willing to listen to wise advice, despite his own initial leanings.

‘A Sister’s Hope’ reminds the reader that whilst God wants us to trust him unreservedly, He also expects us to be involved in our lives, rather than sitting idly by waiting for something to happen. As I have heard it said, ‘you can’t steer a stationary ship’. I was thrilled when different family members finally decided to take action and find out once and for all who was causing them so much harm and distress.


Guest reviewer: Tracy of Beyond My Picket Fence

A Sister's Test by Wanda E Brunstetter ~ Tracy's Take

What is it about?

Ruth is the middle daughter of the Hostettler family. Her heart’s desire is to marry and fill her home with children. After a bit of a false start Ruth and Martin Gingerich begin courting. Ruth has much to look forward to as she and Martin begin planning their future together.

Amid the joy of planning a wedding and looking ahead to a life that fulfils and satisfies, the Hostettler home is vandalised on more than one occasion, marring their otherwise peaceful life. Who is responsible for the attacks, and what is their motivation? As the attacks continue and tragedy strikes, the family is left feeling insecure and vulnerable, their peace threatened and their Amish faith tested.

What I thought

I love novels about the Amish. Their way of life is so simple and unhurried. ‘A Sister’s Test’ takes the reader into the lives of the Hostettler family and reminds you of the things that are truly important in life. When Ruth faces tragedy, the faith of her family around her sustains her until she is able to see the light at the end of the tunnel for herself. The way she responds to her devastating loss is completely realistic. I loved how her plucky determined nature comes through as she seeks to rise above her pain and find a way forward in life. I was often frustrated at the way Ruth’s father, Roman, was so passive about the vandalism and attacks on his property and wished he might become a little more proactive. I also found the about face in his response to his sister’s sudden return to Holmes County a little unrealistic, considering his stubborn refusal to speak with her until forced into a position where he is essentially a captive audience.

Wanda E Brustetter weaves a tale that immerses the reader in the Amish lifestyle and reveals that which is otherwise hidden away from the modern world. I was reminded how busy we become chasing things that seem important at the time, and yet when trials come, it is faith and family that hold us together and those seemingly important things become insignificant. I did struggle a little with the way Wanda infused Amish words into conversations and felt it left things a little stilted and unnatural. However, this did not detract from the story so much that I did not enjoy the book.

I loved the way the book ended with the promise of good things to come for Ruth, but with the unresolved attacks left to be dealt with in the final book of the Sister of Holmes County series. I am looking forward to the final instalment of this series and finally discovering “who done it”.

Guest reviewer: Tracy from Beyond My Picket Fence