Sunday, September 3, 2017

The Beloved Christmas Quilt by Wanda, Jean and Richelle Brunstetter

It's never too early in the year to start reading Christmas stories.  I pretty much read them year round.

What happens when three generations get together and write a story of a quilt handed down to three generations.  Pure magic.  From the back: One Quilt Binds Three Generations of Amish Women
Enjoy the gift of a brand new romance from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, along with stories by her daughter-in-law, Jean and granddaughter, Richelle.

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Psalm 31:3
The scripture embroidered on the back of a beloved quilt brings hope to three generations of Pennsylvania Amish women at Christmastime.

Luella’s Promise
By Wanda E. Brunstetter
Luella Ebersol has been caregiver for a dying woman and her young son. When Dena Lapp gives Luella her favorite quilt, she makes Luella promise to pass it down to her daughter. But Luella isn’t sure she will ever marry if she can’t find someone with maturity and faith like Dena’s husband Atlee Zook.

Karen’s Gift
By Jean Brunstetter
Karen Allgyer and her husband moved to a slow-paced village to raise their children, but Karen longs for the closeness of family to help her through the challenges of managing three girls with one on the way. When life’s pressures rise, will Karen cave to her fears?

Roseanna’s Groom
By Richelle Lynn Brunstetter
When the unexpected happens on the day of her wedding, Roseanna Allgyer can’t help blaming herself, despite not understanding why. Then an old friend returns to town, and she battles feeling for him—afraid of being hurt again.

Wow.  Just wow.  This book was a pleasure to read.  When you put three very talented women together and weave a story about a family, a special quilt, and Christmas you have magic.

In Luella's Promise we start our journey.  Luella is so sweet and wonderful.  Her family made me batty at times meddling in life and choices she was making but her nature and faith in God working things out for the good shone through.  It was a real tearjerker and you will need kleenex by your side.  Daryl stole the show in the scenes he was in.  Wanda has a special gift for portraying little ones. Atlee's loss early in the book was hard and a reminder that just because you are Amish doesn't mean that everything is a happy buggy ride. This was a good story to kick off the book.

In Karen's Gift Jean takes up the tale and we meet the next generation.  This is the story that resonated most with me.  Karen's story echoes the rhythm of my life.  A place far away from the family and a child with special needs is born.  Karen and Mike struggled, as does any couple, as they try to adjust to something they didn't plan.  Both feel like they are right and they have to make some hard choices.  I loved watching them grow closer together and their faith deepen as their world was shaken.

Then we finish up with Roseanna's Groom.  Richelle finishes up the beautiful book with another lovely story.  Roseanna and her groom to be both have a bad case of the wedding jitters.  But then her groom to be hightails it and leaves her.  What's a girl to do?  I loved the close bond that Roseanna shares with her sisters and how her mother really watched over her through everything.  The story had some unexpected surprises and I was really happy with how it turned out.

This book was a delight to read and a must have for Amish fiction and Brunstetter fans.  So pick up your copy today!  Happy reading!


Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*