A Simply Enchanted Life

The Healing by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Healing is part two in the Kentucky Brothers series by Wanda E. Brunstetter. It picks up where The Journey leaves off--in the midst of a family tragedy. In this story we follow Samuel through his grief and through the pain of losing his wife, Elsie and their unborn child in a terrible accident.

Samuel is heartbroken at the loss of his wife and child. The pain of living in their home without her is more than he can bear. He decides to move to Kentucky to be near his brother Titus who was the first of the brothers to relocate from Pennsylvania to Christian County. Samuel decides that the move is for the best and hopes for a new start so that he can work through his depression and move on with his life. For his sake and for the sake of his four living children.

When he arrives in Kentucky he meets Titus' new friends, including Esther, who offers to watch his children so that he can start a new job. When Esther's folks move out of town, she remains behind to work at a local bed and breakfast which frees up her old home for Samuel to rent if he so desires.

As Esther continues to watch his children, she begins to have feelings for Samuel but he is so caught up in his grief that he pushes all thoughts of her aside. He also worries that falling for Esther will betray the memory of his loving wife.

As time goes on, Samuel has to make some hard decisions. Does he continue wallowing in depression and self pity? Or does he turn his grief and despair over to God and allow God to heal his wounds?

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. -Psalm 147:3"

A touching journey of faith and healing that is sure to touch any heart that has experienced loss. The author shows exceptional care and understanding about God's word and the comforts that He gives to us in our times of trouble. I loved this series. I'm sad that I've now read all three parts and I have had to say goodbye to such a lovely group of characters.

Read Chapter 1 of The Healing (PDF)



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The Journey by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Journey is part one in the Kentucky Brothers series by Wanda E. Brunstetter and follows the story of Titus Fisher as he is the first of the brothers to relocate from Pennsylvania to Christian County, Kentucky.



When our story begins, Titus is a heartbroken young man who is trying to get over his long time love who has decided to leave their Amish community and live among the English. He is so heartbroken that he decides to leave his home and Pennsylvania so that he may distance himself from anything that reminds him of Phoebe. He is also determined to prove to himself and to his parents that he can be a responsible and upstanding member of the family and in the faith.

Once he arrives in Christian County he meets an interesting young lady by the name of Suzanne Yoder. Unfortunately, Suzanne reminds him of Phoebe, the girl who broke his heart and he refuses to get to know Suzanne or give her a chance. To be honest, he is downright rude to the poor girl. Instead he focuses attention on work and on Suzanne's best friend, Esther.

As time passes, Titus begins to realize that perhaps Esther isn't the girl for him and he starts to notice that even though Suzanne bears a resemblance to his old flame, that is where the similarities end. Where Phoebe was self-centered and focused on her desires and wants--Suzanne lives for others and focuses on what God wants for her life.

Just as the couple began to get close, Phoebe shows up and threatens to destroy everything. Titus must learn to seek God and then how to follow His will.

"...the hardships we experience and the trials we face here on earth will teach us to trust more in God. For the weaker we feel, the harder we'll lean on Him." -p.141

When tragedy strikes this message resounds even louder and becomes all the more clear to us. We can't know why bad things happen. We just have to trust that God has it all in his hands and if we turn things over to Him--He will guide our paths.

I loved this book and I am loving this series. The characters are so easy to relate to and they feel very real and fleshed out. These are characters you can connect with and leave you wanting to read more!



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Read Chapter 1 of The Journey (PDF)

The Struggle by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Struggle is part three in the Kentucky Brothers series by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Though I have not yet read the others, this book was easily read as a standalone as well with only minimal confusion. The author did a great job of clearing things up for those of us that picked this up without reading the others.


In this story we meet Timothy and his wife Hannah as they make a move from Paradise, Pennsylvania to Christian, Kentucky. Timothy feels the move will provide some much needed space between Hannah and her mother. Hannah has never fully accepted that her place is with her husband and she would rather spend time with her parents than with her new family.

Hannah is determined to make the move as difficult for Timothy as she can. She refuses to makes friends and she oversteps her bounds whenever she can. She is hard to get along with and very controlling, even when it comes to the couple's only child, Mindy. Hannah hovers over Mindy and doesn't allow the child the freedom to learn on her own or enjoy life's simple pleasures. She is condescending and critical of everything and everyone--especially her husband.

When tragedy unfolds around them, Hannah retreats even further away. In one last ditch effort to hold on to hate and the unforgiving spirit that consumes her, Hannah decides to leave her life in Kentucky. From the depths of her depression and despair she is forced to realize that God always has a plan, even when we can't see what that plan is. Our struggle to control our lives instead of letting God have a hand, it often results in being miserable.

"If there is one thing I've learned over the years, it's that we don't get to choose our fate. We can only learn how to live through it."

This book is fantastic. I cried along with the characters when they were sad and hurting and I gained strength for my own pain that I'm going through. I connected with these characters. I see so many of Hannah's flaws in my own self and those are flaws I need pray about myself.

I suggest this book for any fan of the Amish/Christian genres. Especially those that are struggling with trusting God and with bitterness. In this book you'll learn the lesson of enjoying the simple joys of life with the ones you love.



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I received this book free from Barbour Publishing through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own