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Liked It “This series of books by Wanda is soooo suspenseful and soooo good! I could hardly put them down.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“This series of books by Wanda is soooo suspenseful and soooo good! I could hardly put them down. ”
Joan W wrote this review Friday, September 11 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“It was good, however the ending left several important things up in the air, probably setting it up for a sequel. I didn't like not knowing how certain issues turned out it left me with a feeling of disappointment and incompleteness (if that's a word!) It is touted as an Amish mystery and they never solve the mystery.”
Sue K wrote this review Thursday, September 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is an awesome book and I can't wait to read the next two books.”
Kristin D wrote this review Wednesday, July 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I love Holmes County...a wonderful place to visit and read about!”
Karen R wrote this review Wednesday, April 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“As I read this Amish novel, I thought that of the four I've read by this author, it was the best. However, by the time I came to the final page, I had changed my mind. The author does the unforgivable; she leaves the reader hanging.
SmilingSally wrote this review Tuesday, April 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Secrets are dangerous things to keep. Grace, the protagonist, is haunted by the secrets in her past life. She desperately wants to tell Cleon, her fiance, but the time never seems appropriate. One day, the truth is revealed, and Grace's world turns upside down. It is interesting to see the Amish way of forgiveness at work. But does it always apply? Will Cleon be able to forgive and accept Grace? Fortunately, for the reader's satisfaction, that question is answered.
Attacks against the Hostettler property cause unexplained damage and increase in intensity. Who is responsible? Throughout the novel, the question is asked over and over and discussed at length. Yet the final page is turned without revealing the answer. Talk about a cliff hanger! This ends so abruptly, this reader is left totally frustrated.
If you're a fan of this author, you'll enjoy this one. But when you buy this book, be certain to buy the sequel A Sister's Test. It's the only way you can find out how it ends.
”“Plot driven. Keeps me reading, but I don't like the way the terror lurking in the background isn't resolved by the end of the book.”
sarah s wrote this review Friday, October 31 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Great book about the amish! I loved it!”
Angie wrote this review Friday, September 19 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is my first Wanda Brunstetter, although, I have been reading Amish Christian Fiction for a while and enjoying it from Beverly Lewis and Cindy Woodsmall. I couldn't sleep last night, so I decided to start this book, I guess that was around ten or eleven o'clock. Well, that was a mistake, because then I could not stop or go to sleep until I was finished at after five in the morni...more This is my first Wanda Brunstetter, although, I have been reading Amish Christian Fiction for a while and enjoying it from Beverly Lewis and Cindy Woodsmall. I couldn't sleep last night, so I decided to start this book, I guess that was around ten or eleven o'clock. Well, that was a mistake, because then I could not stop or go to sleep until I was finished at after five in the morning!
cherryblossommj wrote this review Wednesday, May 21 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This is not a book to pick up and have a short quaint read of enjoyment. It states on the inside back flap that Wand a E. Brunstetter writes about the Amish life, because she likes the simple, plain life. Well, if you are using the general description of their lives, sure. But not the lives of these characters. One thing after another happens in this story to the family Hosteller, and you never expect what is next. There is a main secret, which from the first chapter, I was able to guess, but for many many chapters after that she throws things in that make you wonder. Nothing ends up being what you thought, and after tons of page turning trying to find out what happens, the book ends, with only minimal things resolved, and you're left scrambling to get the next book in the series.
Luckily, I checked out both from the library at the same time...”“I really enjoy reading these books by Wanda. ”
Judy H wrote this review Monday, February 11 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The Sister's Secret by Wanda Brunstetter is the first book in the Holmes County series about the Amish Hostettler family. Grace Hostettler is ready to marry Cleon Schrock after returning from her running around years (rumschpringe). But Grace has a secret that may be exposed by a reporter she knew during that time who is digging up stories on the Amish of Holmes County. Is he connected to the attacks on the Hostettler home and will Cleon be able to forgive Grace for the sins she committed before they met? I was completely surprised by this book. I was expecting a quiet family drama along the lines of Beverly Lewis' Amish books, and the slow start to this book led me further in that belief. But as pieces of Grace's life started to crash around her, the suspense ratcheted up very quickly. As the drama heightens, the pages flew by, until with only twenty or so pages to go, I was thinking No, it can't be over yet, but what about? and what about? The dialogue is a bit clunky in spots which makes for slower reading, but midway through the book I stopped noticing it and paid attention instead to the powerful plot. Grace's father and Cleon struggle so deeply with Grace's past, it's painful to read. Although Grace is more of a passive character in the story rather that a strong female lead taking action, that is to be expected of a young Amish woman, especially one who feels the deep shame she does. Grace took action once in her life and spent the next four years regretting it. And Amish passiveness is almost a character itself in the story: Grace's father's refusal to retaliate for the attacks, Cleon's response to Grace, etc. Ruth and Martha, Grace's sisters, each have their own story to tell (as I'm sure Brunstetter will in the sequels), and they are different, interesting characters. This story has many themes: forgiveness, how our actions impact others, turning the other cheek, temptation of the English world. This is the first book by Brunstetter I've read, but I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next in the series.”
clockstein wrote this review Tuesday, August 21 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
