Wanda Brunstetter Reviews

Added July 1, 2007

A Sister's Secret

Sisters of Holmes County

Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter
Publisher: Barbour Books
Available At: Bookstores everywhere
Publishing Date: July 2007
Genre: Fiction: Christian
Format: Trade paper
Price: $9.97
ISBN-10: 1597892262
ISBN-13: 978-1-59789-226-1
Author Email/Website: http://www.wandabrunstetter.com/
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo
Rating: 9 Gargoyles

A Sister's Secret beautifully blends the love of family with a faith-filled community. These pages are a sensitive and inspiring walk among the Amish people, sharing their hopes, fears and above all, their steadfast belief in a just and merciful God.

This first book in the Sisters of Holmes County series focuses on Grace, the oldest sister in the Hostettler family. During her 'rumschpringe' (running around years), her life strayed far away from the confines of her Amish upbringing. After she returned home, all was well until an English man showed up in town with a camera and some memories that Grace would never be able to forget.

The author's classic skill as a storyteller shines through the pages of this novel, as readers emotionally enter the Hostettler household. The simple, unadorned life of this family is shown with a variety of details, accenting their commitment to purity and humility. Grace's upcoming marriage to a neighbor offers an intriguing contrast with the mystery in her past. As the pages turn, a clearer perspective of her situation develops, allowing the characters to act out their religious convictions. This part of the plot was well developed, giving a glimpse into the motivations of this Amish family as they cope with a serious issue.

The story flows with a serenity that persists in the face of calamity. The atmosphere of this community is drawn with dignity and a genuine desire for readers to understand and experience this lifestyle. It's clear that considerable research went into the development of the setting, providing realistic details that both educate and explain.

Readers will enjoy the gently tumultuous tension of this novel, while opening their hearts to the Sisters of Holmes County.

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