A Sister's Hope by Wanda Brunstetter

A Sister's Hope brings the conclusion to several issues that were introduced earlier in this series. In the first two books, I didn't even suspect the guilty party that this book reveals to be the one who carried the grudge against the Hostettler family. I did begin to have doubts regarding the perpetrator in this novel. This book tied everything up nicely.

Sisters of Holmes County

Book 1 – A Sister’s Secret
Book 2 – A Sister’s Test
Book 3 – A Sister’s Hope

Back of book says:

A woman’s search for truth and love…
A man’s quest to prove his innocence…
A father’s determination to protect his family…

Martha is the youngest of the Hostettler sisters and the most daring. While her main focus has been on her dog breeding business, Martha has also been troubled about the continuing attacks against her family and home in an Ohio Amish community.

When the prime suspect turns out to be Luke Friesen – the man she loves – Martha decides to play detective. But what will the search for truth cost?

Luke seems to have taken the wrong road in life. With a definite motive and a myriad of methods, he looks guilty as sin. Will Martha’s hope in his innocence be enough to bring the real criminal to justice?

Roman Hostettler disapproves of the love blossoming between his daughter and Luke. In his determination to drive the couple apart, discord and dissension grow within the family.

Will Luke and Martha’s love for each other and their hope in God waver? Or will they find the courage to seek justice and bring their love to light?

Travel with Wanda into a quieter place where people learn to make do with less and love both their fellow man and their God deeply. This book (whole series) should be available online, at local libraries and bookstores.

A Sister's Test by Wanda Brunstetter

Sisters of Homes County

Book 1 – A Sister’s Secret
Book 2 – A Sister’s Test
Book 3 – A Sister’s Hope

I enjoyed reading this book and going back to a quieter time/place. It saddened me to think of criminals doing things to hurt these peaceful people and its hard for me to comprehend not reporting to the police the wrongdoings that had been happening to this family and community. The Hostettler's trust God for HIS vengeance something the typical American would find challenging. For some reason pain feels more raw when reading it from an Amish perspective, but at the same time the peace that follows feels more real too. Start with A Sister's Secret and begin your journey into Holmes County, Ohio's Amish country.

Back of Book Says:

One woman’s shattered dream…
One man’s second chance…
And the faith that can heal broken hearts.

Ruth is the second oldest sister in the Hostettler family, and she has one burning desire – to marry and fill her Amish household with children. Life seems to be falling into place when Martin Gingerich starts to court her and she befriends a motherless child.

But her dreams are suddenly shattered in one horrific moment, putting Ruth’s faith to the test. Finding herself spiritually adrift, Ruth’s only real prayer becomes a desperate “God, why?”

Will Ruth find the faith and strength to rise about the ashes?

Discussion questions (spoiler alert)

Chapter 1 Excerpt

A Sister’s Secret by Wanda Brunstetter

Sisters of Homes County

Book 1 – A Sister’s Secret
Book 2 – A Sister’s Test
Book 3 – A Sister’s Hope

Back of Book Says:

Putting her rumschpringe (running-around years) behind her, Grace Hostettler returns to Homes County, Ohio; joins the Amish church; and begins a new life with a new romance. The next four years are nearly idyllic for the oldest Hostettler child – except for the hidden pain she bears from a carefully harbored secret.

Her peaceful world is shattered the day she runs into Gary Walker – an Englisher who knows enough about her past to destroy her future. Gary’s arrival in Holmes County coincides with a series of startling attacks against the Amish community – and the Hostettler’s in particular. Is Gary at the root of this evil?

Amishman Clean Schrock plans to marry Grace but is unaware of her past. When evidence o f Grace’s deception arrives on her family’s doorstep, will Cleon feel compelled to desert the woman he loves?

Will one woman’s secrets destroy an entire Amish community? Can love and faith triumph over shame and deception?

This book like the other Amish books Wanda Brunstetter has written take the reader back to a simpler place where problems are solved eventually because of both a communities love for each other and their individual relationships with God.

For discussion questions (spoiler alert) go here.