A Simply Enchanted Life

A Sister's Secret by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This book has a very slow start which is why I'm giving it the 3 star rating. If you can force yourself to continue reading, the story DOES get better. After finally picking up the pace, the story abruptly ended without any resolve whatsoever. I felt as if the author ran out of time after dragging on chapters worth of unforgiving attitudes from one of the characters. Suddenly, at the end that particular character pulls a 180 and decides to show forgiveness which felt completely forced and sudden.The continual need to describe the Amish words is redundant and elementary. A glossary of words at the beginning or end would have been sufficient. Perhaps for a first time reader of Amish fiction it would have been okay but as an avid reader of the genre, it threw off the feel of the characters. There were a lot of inconsistencies with characters using "mama" one second and "mamm" the next which also threw authenticity of the characters for me. All in all, it was a decent read. Not the worst but not the best either. I will probably pick up the second installment in the series just to satisfy the want to know how things turn out.



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"The Wonder of Your Love" is the latest book published in the Land of Canaan series by Beth Wiseman.  The story follows the life of Katie Ann, an older Amish mother to a four month old, Jonas.  Ivan, her husband,had left her for an Englisher woman before he even realized that Katie Ann had become pregnant. He died in a car accident shortly after.  Katie Ann struggles with feelings of betrayal, loss, grief and trusting God's path for her life.  Then she meets Eli, a widower of 17 years.  They're in two very different places in their life.  Eli is done with children and raising a family, while Katie Ann is just starting out.

  This book offers a resounding message of trusting God's wisdom as well as trusting His time-line rather than our own.  A wonderful read for for any christian who struggles with trust.  I did feel as if the book rushed some of the story line between Martha and Danielle (Katie Ann's Englisher friend and a troubled teen) in a way that didn't entirely tie up.  I am assuming we may see more from these characters in a future book, however.  All in all, I give the book 5 stars.  I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with my old friends from the series and can't wait to read the next installment.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>

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