Book Review & Giveaway

How timely is this?! The first CFBA blog tour of the week features a book by an author I was able to meet at the Expo - and I have an autographed giveaway!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Cousin's Promise
Barbour Books (March 1, 2009)
by
Wanda Brunstetter

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Wanda enjoys writing about the Amish because they live a peaceful, simple life─something she says we all need in this day and age.

Using the knowledge her Amish friends have shared with her, Wanda has also produced several children’s titles in the Rachel Yoder─Always Trouble Somewhere series, an Amish cookbook, and a devotional collection entitled The Simpler Life, which was released in July 2008 and celebrates the virtues of the Amish lifestyle. Wanda and her husband are members of the fellowship of Christian Magicians.

Wanda is also a member of the North American Association of ventriloquists, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Northwest Christian Writers Association. She lives in Washington State, where her husband pastors, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish settlements across the country.

Other books by Wanda are A Sister's Test, A Sister's Hope, and A Sister's Secret.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Willkumm to the lush and lavish Amish country where Wanda Brunstetter's new romantic series, Indiana Cousins, begins with A Cousin's Promise. Loraine Miller finds herself torn between the love of two good men.

Wayne Lambright who, crippled after a tragic accident, feels himself unworthy of her love; and Jake Beechy who, after having abandoned her to explore the English world, returns to renew their courtship.

When a horrific accident cripples Wayne Lambright, he finds it difficult enough to take care of himself, much less Loraine Miller, his future bride. Will he sacrifice his happiness to give her a better life?

Having already been jilted once, Loraine is terrified of yet another rejection. But does she love Wayne enough to marry him, for better or worse? When her old boyfriend Jake Beechy returns from exploring the English world, he hopes Loraine will give him another chance.

How will God work to give Loraine the desires of her heart? To which man will she pledge her love and loyalty - for better or worse, until death they do part?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Cousin's Promise, go HERE

Wanda Brunstetter at the Christian Book Expo

MY THOUGHTS:
Regardless of whether one is a modern Englischer with cell phones and computers or an Amish individual who lives a simple life, emotions and struggles are universal. This book follows the tragic accident that left Wayne unable to walk and feeling like less of a man because of it. How can he provide for a wife if he can't work a farm? Loraine loves Wayne, but when he breaks their engagement and pushes her away and her old boyfriend Jake reappears, she wonders if she should marry him. Sometimes the simple life isn't so simple after all.

I had the pleasure of visiting with Wanda Brunstetter for a few minutes on Saturday afternoon. She and her husband have long-standing close friends who are Amish, and she loves to write of their way of life. She said the Amish are often misunderstood and seen as "freaks" or "a cult", and her books are an effort to portray them realistically. Wanda also is concerned about our modern society's propensity to be so heavily dependent on technological gadgets and feels that the family has suffered as a result. She related the story of a time when she and her husband took their grandchildren out to eat and did not allow them to bring their handheld games or cell phones into the restaurant, much to the children's dismay. "What will we do while we wait for our food?" However, after only a few moments of awkwardness, the kids opened up and eagerly began talking and sharing, and they had a marvelous evening hearing about what was going on in their lives.

GIVEAWAY!! I have a brand-new, freshly autographed copy of A Cousin's Promise for one of you. To enter, leave a comment on this post by 6:00 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, 3/24) and I will draw a name. Continental US Residents only.

I'll have more autographed Wanda Brunstetter books - for both adults and children - to give away in the days to come!

Happy Reading!