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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
The Brides of the Big Valley by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Richelle Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter contains three Amish romance stories set in an area called The Big Valley in Pennsylvania. Three different Amish communities live here, and they are distinguished by the color of their buggy tops: yellow, white and black. Deanna’s Determination by Wanda E. Brunstetter has widow Deanna Speicher getting engaged to Elmer Yoder. Her son, Abner has Down’s syndrome and he adores Elmer. But then a tragic accident threatens to take away their future. Rose Mary’s Resolve by Jean Brunstetter features Rose Mary Renno who has just begun working at her father’s furniture shop, Renno’s Furniture Shop. Rose Mary has been dating Tom Yoder who is encouraging her to jump the fence, which is not in Rose Mary’s future, so she breaks up with him. But then someone unexpected enters her life and Rose Mary is torn. What path will Rose Mary take? Leila’s Longing by Richelle Brunstetter has the artistic, Leila Fisher managing the card shop and the house as her mother’s pregnancy advances in the yellow top community. Leila is an introvert who has difficulty communicating with people and making friends. She meets Aden Troyer at a singing in the black top community and they begin courting. Then a tragedy occurs that could derail their plans for their future.
The Brides of the Big Valley contains three charming Amish stories. I thought the stories were well-written with steady pacing. I like that there is a common thread throughout the three books. All three feature the same community and the Renno family. We also get updates on Elmer and Deanna in Rose Mary’s Resolve and Leila’s Longing. Wanda has an engaging writing style. I immediately became absorbed in Deanna’s Determination. Jean and Richelle are accomplished writers who provided enriching novellas. I thought the various characters in The Brides of the Big Valley were realistic and it was interesting to learn about the three diverse Amish communities. They are all Amish and in the same valley, but they have various differences (not just the color of their buggy tops). My favorite was Deanna’s Determination. It is a story that touched my heart and I found myself rooting for Deanna and Elmer. I really liked the cardmaking in Leila’s Determination and the fact they had a shop selling the handmade cards plus cardmaking supplies. The phrase I wanted to share with you comes from Leila’s Longing and is “His presence provides us with contentment” (that makes me feel loved and peaceful). All three authors provided inspiring and enticing tales. There is a recipe included from each story. The Brides of the Big Valley are heartwarming stories about love, family, and faith.
The Brides of the Big Valley contains three charming Amish stories. I thought the stories were well-written with steady pacing. I like that there is a common thread throughout the three books. All three feature the same community and the Renno family. We also get updates on Elmer and Deanna in Rose Mary’s Resolve and Leila’s Longing. Wanda has an engaging writing style. I immediately became absorbed in Deanna’s Determination. Jean and Richelle are accomplished writers who provided enriching novellas. I thought the various characters in The Brides of the Big Valley were realistic and it was interesting to learn about the three diverse Amish communities. They are all Amish and in the same valley, but they have various differences (not just the color of their buggy tops). My favorite was Deanna’s Determination. It is a story that touched my heart and I found myself rooting for Deanna and Elmer. I really liked the cardmaking in Leila’s Determination and the fact they had a shop selling the handmade cards plus cardmaking supplies. The phrase I wanted to share with you comes from Leila’s Longing and is “His presence provides us with contentment” (that makes me feel loved and peaceful). All three authors provided inspiring and enticing tales. There is a recipe included from each story. The Brides of the Big Valley are heartwarming stories about love, family, and faith.
tiggeruo's review
3.0
Deanna Determination:
In this story Deanna is raising her son and just trying to make life work after her husband passed. I found this story started off with a lot of detail some a little to much. As it went further on it did draw you in. Elmer, Abner and Deanna each had trials they faced some better the others, but it seem a little surfaced based instead of faith based over all. I would rate this story a 2 I just over all had a hard time getting into and staying in it.
Rosemary’s Resolve
As I started reading the further I got I found the characters to be a bit immature, when I went back and verified the ages, it all seem to make more sense that they were young. The actions and choices they were making were those that we all make when we are young and still learning. I was not a fan at all of Tom at all I found him a complete jerk throughout the book. Kevin’s mom was super kind and had a way of trying to keep the peace in the family, I thought for sure the author was going to have her reveal she use to be Amish (don’t worry I didn’t give anything away). This story seem to flow a little better the the first one, slow at some parts but over all a really cute story.
Leila’s Longing
I really liked this story a lot. Out of the three this was one my favorite. I think on a way we can all relate some way or another with Leila and the insecurity that she felt. The trials she faced also where heart breaking but with Mollie reminding her gently that relying on God first and foremost was just as important as breathing. I felt like Aden faced his own struggles and they just felt well together. All three story are good clean reads and suitable for all ages
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion
In this story Deanna is raising her son and just trying to make life work after her husband passed. I found this story started off with a lot of detail some a little to much. As it went further on it did draw you in. Elmer, Abner and Deanna each had trials they faced some better the others, but it seem a little surfaced based instead of faith based over all. I would rate this story a 2 I just over all had a hard time getting into and staying in it.
Rosemary’s Resolve
As I started reading the further I got I found the characters to be a bit immature, when I went back and verified the ages, it all seem to make more sense that they were young. The actions and choices they were making were those that we all make when we are young and still learning. I was not a fan at all of Tom at all I found him a complete jerk throughout the book. Kevin’s mom was super kind and had a way of trying to keep the peace in the family, I thought for sure the author was going to have her reveal she use to be Amish (don’t worry I didn’t give anything away). This story seem to flow a little better the the first one, slow at some parts but over all a really cute story.
Leila’s Longing
I really liked this story a lot. Out of the three this was one my favorite. I think on a way we can all relate some way or another with Leila and the insecurity that she felt. The trials she faced also where heart breaking but with Mollie reminding her gently that relying on God first and foremost was just as important as breathing. I felt like Aden faced his own struggles and they just felt well together. All three story are good clean reads and suitable for all ages
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion
booklvr10's review
4.0
A great collection of 3 stories! I enjoyed reading this book and had a hard time putting it down. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
travelerswife4life's review
5.0
Three unique perspectives into Amish life.
The first story is about a widow and her son with Down Syndrome and how she finds love again with a man she least expects. I loved the perseverance in this story! No matter what obstacles many come your way we can't give up but need to figure out ways to over come those obstacles.
Second we have a women at a crossroad in her life, she has to trust fully that God will lead her in the right direction even when it seems everyone around her is against what she believes God is telling her to do. I think this one was a great story on listening to God and not giving in to what the world wants you to do.
Last we have a story about a young women who is very shy who learns to overcome her fears to find love, loss, and a family of her own. This one was probably my favorite. It really is true that you have to stop thinking about what people might think of you and just be yourself or you will never grow into the person you are supposed to be.
I loved this book and would highly recommend adding it to your TBR pile.
I volunteered to read this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
The first story is about a widow and her son with Down Syndrome and how she finds love again with a man she least expects. I loved the perseverance in this story! No matter what obstacles many come your way we can't give up but need to figure out ways to over come those obstacles.
Second we have a women at a crossroad in her life, she has to trust fully that God will lead her in the right direction even when it seems everyone around her is against what she believes God is telling her to do. I think this one was a great story on listening to God and not giving in to what the world wants you to do.
Last we have a story about a young women who is very shy who learns to overcome her fears to find love, loss, and a family of her own. This one was probably my favorite. It really is true that you have to stop thinking about what people might think of you and just be yourself or you will never grow into the person you are supposed to be.
I loved this book and would highly recommend adding it to your TBR pile.
I volunteered to read this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
xakyr's review against another edition
3.0
FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH ONE OF A VARIETY OF SOURCES. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
When I first started out going back to reading Inspirational Romance, Wanda Brunstetter's books were always a go to for me, because I knew they were well written and easy to connect with. Over time, though, I've veered away from her books, and this book really brought that into sharp focus for me. It just wasn't that enjoyable over all!
I liked seeing a special needs child in the first story, but the story was ultimately forgettable. I had a hard time connecting to Deanna, despite her being a special needs mother, and found that Elmer wasn't that likeable of a hero. Rose Mary's story is by far my favorite of the three! It was engaging, and somewhat angsty. I loved the hero that was written for her as well, as he seemed to be a perfect compliment to her. Leila's story was another good story, but felt a bit awkward at points. I liked how relevant that story was to my own life!
All things considered, this was a decent book to read once, but ultimately was forgettable.
When I first started out going back to reading Inspirational Romance, Wanda Brunstetter's books were always a go to for me, because I knew they were well written and easy to connect with. Over time, though, I've veered away from her books, and this book really brought that into sharp focus for me. It just wasn't that enjoyable over all!
I liked seeing a special needs child in the first story, but the story was ultimately forgettable. I had a hard time connecting to Deanna, despite her being a special needs mother, and found that Elmer wasn't that likeable of a hero. Rose Mary's story is by far my favorite of the three! It was engaging, and somewhat angsty. I loved the hero that was written for her as well, as he seemed to be a perfect compliment to her. Leila's story was another good story, but felt a bit awkward at points. I liked how relevant that story was to my own life!
All things considered, this was a decent book to read once, but ultimately was forgettable.
elisegmusic's review
2.0
This book is a collection of three stories by three different authors about three young women in an Amish society trying to find love.
While the concept of this book intrigued me, I found this book to be slow-paced and predictable. The conflicts in these stories were either minimal, had predictable outcomes, or took so long to appear that I was bored with the mundanity of ordinary lives.
Despite having different authors, these stories all had bland language and awkward dialogue that was not very believable.
My favorite of the three stories was "Leila’s Longing," because it told the story of a misfit girl. Instead of being plot driven, this story focused on character development, and how Leila found her place in the world despite being weird and awkward. Even though this story was lacking in beautiful language and good dialogue, I found the character development to be sturdy, and that made up for what the story lacked.
While the concept of this book intrigued me, I found this book to be slow-paced and predictable. The conflicts in these stories were either minimal, had predictable outcomes, or took so long to appear that I was bored with the mundanity of ordinary lives.
Despite having different authors, these stories all had bland language and awkward dialogue that was not very believable.
My favorite of the three stories was "Leila’s Longing," because it told the story of a misfit girl. Instead of being plot driven, this story focused on character development, and how Leila found her place in the world despite being weird and awkward. Even though this story was lacking in beautiful language and good dialogue, I found the character development to be sturdy, and that made up for what the story lacked.
kristi518's review
4.0
If you follow my reviews you know I'm not a big fan of novellas or collections. I prefer to have a full-length novel in which I can really get to know the characters and their stories. Having to read several novellas/collections as a reviewer I am slowly becoming more of a fan of them...when they are done right. This set of stories from the Brunstetter women is done right. The stories captured my attention and were all quick and easy reads.
The three stories focus on different groups of Amish in a community. I found the stories focused more on the characters and not so much on the differences of the communities. At times it was easy to forget I was reading about different Amish groups. I did like that the authors all took the time to develop the characters and stories so that nothing really felt rushed or hurried. I feel like I got a full story from each one. I also liked the fact that the writing styles are similar enough that these could have all been penned by the same author and not three individuals. I feel like this made the collection seem more complete and it held my attention from the beginning of the first story to the very last page of the last story.
Fans of Wanda E. Brunstetter are sure to enjoy this collection. Jean and Richelle are proving themselves to be accomplished authors as well and their stories are writing are soon to be just as polished as Wanda's. This book would be a great addition to a collection or a fantastic way to begin a collection. Happy reading!!!
The three stories focus on different groups of Amish in a community. I found the stories focused more on the characters and not so much on the differences of the communities. At times it was easy to forget I was reading about different Amish groups. I did like that the authors all took the time to develop the characters and stories so that nothing really felt rushed or hurried. I feel like I got a full story from each one. I also liked the fact that the writing styles are similar enough that these could have all been penned by the same author and not three individuals. I feel like this made the collection seem more complete and it held my attention from the beginning of the first story to the very last page of the last story.
Fans of Wanda E. Brunstetter are sure to enjoy this collection. Jean and Richelle are proving themselves to be accomplished authors as well and their stories are writing are soon to be just as polished as Wanda's. This book would be a great addition to a collection or a fantastic way to begin a collection. Happy reading!!!