"The Journey" by Wanda E. Brunstetter

About the Book

 

Discover along with Titus Fisher how life can begin anew in Christian County, Kentucky. Moving from Pennsylvania, finding rewarding work, and leaving a broken romance behind is the best decision Titus ever made. But is he ready to consider love again when he meets two women: one who seems perfectly suited for any Amish man and one who challenges long held ideas of the woman’s role. Who will Titus choose, and will it be the right choice?

Please visit Wanda E. Brunstetter's website

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This book was released in April 2011

This book is from my own personal collection.

My Review

“The Journey” by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the first book of her 'Kentucky Brothers' series. This is a companion series to her 'Daughters of Lancaster County' series for we meet Titus who was born during the 'Daughters of Lancaster County' series. Actually the entire 'Kentucky Brother Trilogy' series deals with Fisher family once again. If one had not read the 'Daughters of Lancaster County' series then there is no worries for any events from that series that is mentioned is explained in the book, so it can be read without worries about the other books.

While reading this book, I have to say that locations jumped around to make the story much more interesting so please read those italicized letters for they state the location of where the scene is taking place. Though most times, just by the characters one can tell where the scene is taking place, but there were times I got a little lost especially when the characters were Timothy and Titus, who are twins.

I have read Ms. Brunstetter's series 'Daughters of Lancaster County' and loved seeing the characters again and how their lives have changed in the years between the series. It was almost as if I was visiting old friends again. This is not the first time I have read “The Journey” but I enjoyed as much if not more than the first time around that is for sure.

So much is going on for we see the points of view from Suzanne, Titus, and numerous other characters but they all have major parts in the story. The length of the story takes place over 8 to 9 months time, which adds a great deal of creditability to the story for things don't just happen just for the sake of a story. And normally I would give my thoughts on each of the main characters, but so much changes about them throughout the story that I just can't do that without giving things away for those who have not read this enjoyable book and series.

There is plenty of growth that happens for several of the characters throughout the entire story. Pain has been healed. Decisions reached after a great deal of thought and prayer. Lessons learned. Yet with all of that, I have to say that I couldn't help but have my heart break at the end of the story even with the ending being as it was. Though my heart broke there at the end, I know that it is was just setting up for the next book “The Healing”.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoy romance and Amish books.

Other "Kentucky Brothers" books

The Journey

The Healing

The Struggle

"The Survivor" by Shelley Shepard Gray

About the Book

 

MATTIE'S BODY HAS HEALED FROM THE CANCER THAT NEARLY TOOK HER LIFE...BUT CAN SHE FIND THE MAN WHO CAN MEND HER LONELY HEART?

    

Mattie has faced more in her twenty-three years than she ever imagined possible.  Having successfully battled cancer, she's ready to reenter the world with hopes for her future.  But while she was in and out of hospitals, other Amish girls girls her age were courting and finding the men they would marry. he only man who's ever made her heart beat faster in Graham Weaver, her best friend, who has always been there to comfort her, in good time and bad.  Is it finally time for their friendship to become something more?

     

But cruel gossip is spreading, claiming that Graham's the father of the baby Jenna Yoder's carrying.  Will Mattie's dreams of a happily-ever-after be crushed before they've left the ground?

Please visit Shelley Shepard Gray's website

Buy "The Survivor" from Amazon

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This book was released in August 2011

This book is from my own personal collection.

 

My Review

 

“The Survivor” by Shelley Shepard Gray is the third and final book in her 'Families of Honor' series and wow what an ending. This story wraps up the two story lines that started in “The Caregiver” then continued in “The Protector” with John and his romance along with Mattie and Graham.

I have to say that I truly enjoyed how these story lines were not something that was just thrown together for the stories have been twisting and turning from the first book and continued up to about the middle of the story when things started to finally smooth out some. Granted things were not always easy but at least things for the reader started getting clearer until things became crystal clear.

I must say that this might be the third book in a series that concludes story lines that have been in the other books, this I would have to say would be good stand alone book. Oh there are references to some things that happened in the prior books but really I felt as if things were explained so well that no one would be lost.

I have to say that we really get to see a lot more of what really makes John, Mattie, and Graham the way they way. Decisions need to be made, patience needs to be learned, communication needs to be opened up, choices need to be stood up for, and lessons are learned. These three plus a couple of other characters change so much through the story that really I couldn't even begin to describe them, for I would ruin so much about the story.

I have to say that like the other two books in this series, this book shows that Amish life is got its own problems. I have to say that there is one story that comes out is something that is faced by numerous other women almost everyday, and the way this character dealt with it, is something I see regularly with young women who are so uncertain about the future. I have to say that this story line was told with class and reality.

I strongly recommend this entire series to those who enjoy romance and/or Amish books for this is something different.

Other "Families of Honor" books

The Caregiver

The Protector

The Survivor

"The Protector" by Shelley Shepard Gray

About the Book

EVERYONE NEEDS A SAFE PLACE TO CALL HOME

     

When her mother passes away, Ella's forced to auction off her family's farm.  Her father died years ago, and she could never manage the fifty acres on her own.  But after she moves to town, she can't deny the pain she feels watching the new owner, Loyal Weaver, repairing her family's old farmhouse - everything Ella has once dreamed of doing.

          

What Ella doesn't know is the Loyal secretly hopes she will occupy this house again...as his wife.  HE begins inviting her over, to ask her opinion on chonges he wants to make.  As their friendship blooms, Ella starts to wonder about Loyal's intentions, especially when her best friend, Dorothy, hints that Loyal is not who he seems.  There's no way the golden boy of their close-knit Amish community cold be interested in Ella, long the wallflower, hidden away caring for her ailing parents. 

        

Should she trust the man she's always yearned for, or the friend who's always been by her side?  When one of them threatens to disrupt the independence she's finally achieved, Ella is face with a choice.  She can protect her heart and keep things the way they've always been.  Or she can come out of her shell, risk everything for the love she's always wanted, and finally have a place to call home.

Please visit Shelley Shepard Gray's website

Buy "The Protector" from Amazon

Buy "The Protector" from Barnes&Noble

This book was released in June 2011

This book is from my own personal collection.

 

My Review

 

“The Protector” by Shelley Shepard Gray is the second book of her 'Families of Honor' series. Again this is the second time around that I have read this book. I have to be honest there were times, all because I knew what was happening, when it seemed as if I was watching this train wreck in slow motion. I mean that in the highest complement for I couldn't skip any part of the story even though I knew what was going to happen for there were too many details that were important to the story and couldn't be skipped. It was those little details that make the story so wonderful and interesting even after a second read.

Again this story shows that the Amish lives are not always idyllic but yet there is still something so very special in this story. There is nothing so dark that it shatters the Amish preconceive notions that most Englischers might have about them, but yet shows that they are not perfect for there are troubled people in all lifestyles. There is also a story line that continues from “The Caregiver”, though honestly there were two story lines continued from the first book, to go along with the book's story line. Though there are three different story lines, it really isn't all that confusing to follow along.

Ella is a young woman who has done all that she needed to do in order to take care of things that needed to be taken care of. Through the story it seems as if her eyes start to clear up and she sees things clearer as she examines things from her past in a different light. Ella also learns to trust things about herself more, and to open up to those around her when things don't quite seem right.

Loyal is a man who is just trying to spread his wings with the completion of his dreams, but things don't exactly go exactly as he planned. He was so sure he knew exactly what he wanted but in the end things ended up far better for him. There were things he discovered along the way in the story as well, showing some growth in his character.

Truly this is a story that I took away that one needs to trust their own instincts. When someone feels as if something is off a little then they need to pay attention. Things could have been so different in the book if a certain character did things differently that is for sure.

I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy romance and Amish for though this is a little like watching a train wreck, it is one of those train wrecks you just can't take your eyes off of, and are so interested in everything that happens to those who are involved. I thoroughly enjoyed the story.

Other "Families of Honor" books

The Caregiver

The Protector

The Survivor