A Cousin's Promise (Indiana Cousins, Book 1) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Review:
From Publishers Weekly
Amish specialist Brunstetter kicks off a new series set in Indiana Amish country. Loraine Miller's fiancé, Wayne Lambright, is crippled in the car accident that opens the novel. That initiates a tale of complications in their relationship. Wayne wants Loraine to be happy and doesn't believe a disabled man can meet her needs; Loraine doesn't understand the psychological complexities of Wayne's recovery. Into the tension between the two lovers comes Loraine's old boyfriend Jake, sorry for what he's lost and hoping to pick up the pieces. There's cooking, visiting and lots of neighborly support that fans of Brunstetter will appreciate as staples of Amish fiction. Since Loraine Miller also has a number of cousins introduced who face difficulties in the novel, the series setup is clear. Brunstetter could develop a better ear for dialogue, but she has a good ear for the distinctive Dietsch language of the Amish, sprinkling phrases of it into her characters' speech. Fans might enjoy reading this while the friendship bread is baking in the oven. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
The strong spiritual element is perfectly evidenced in the characters'' consistent, loving Christian attitudes, even when it is met with hostility. Brunstetter kicks off the Indiana Cousisn series and demonstrates how God can help flawed Christians deal with devasting situations.
(LESLIE MCKEE ROMANTIC TIMES 20090112)

A Cousin''s Promise Wanda E. Brunstetter. Barbour, $10.97 paper ISBN 978-1-60260-060-7. Amish specialist Brunstetter kicks off a new series set in Indiana Amish country. Loraine Miller''s fiancé, Wayne Lambright, is crippled in the car accident that opens the novel. That initiates a tale of complications in their relationship. Wayne wants Loraine to be happy and doesn''t believe a disabled man can meet her needs; Loraine doesn''t understand the psychological complexities of Wayne''s recovery. Into the tension between the two lovers comes Loraine''s old boyfriend Jake, sorry for what he''s lost and hoping to pick up the pieces. There''s cooking, visiting and lots of neighborly support that fans of Brunstetter will appreciate as staples of Amish fiction. Since Loraine Miller also has a number of cousins introduced who face difficulties in the novel, the series setup is clear. Brunstetter could develop a better ear for dialogue, but she has a good ear for the distinctive Dietsch language of the Amish, sprinkling phrases of it into her characters'' speech. Fans might enjoy reading this while the friendship bread is baking in the oven. (Mar.)



(PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 20090301)

Set amid a quaint Indiana Amish community, A Cousin''s Promise, the first book in Wanda Brunstetter''s new "Indiana Cousins" series (Barbour, p, $10.97, ISBN 9781602600607), captures the simple, traditional Amish way of life beautifully. With hearfelt love for and understanding of these people, Brunstetter teaches life lessons by intertwining the Amish lifestyle with a light romance story, while delineating the plot with a wide range of emotions and behavior generated from grief and loss--and the adverse effects it can have on even the closest relationships. A special section contains questions on the grieving process, relationship, and life lessons learned. Recommend A Cousin''s Promise to teens and adults who enjoy a good love story with a message.
(NANCY KANAFANI CBA RETAILERS & RESOURCES 20090109)


My REVIEW:

Great book! I really enjoy Mrs. Brunstetter's novels and this one did not change my opinion at all! Character's were easy to empathize with. Story was not expected. FANTASTIC READ!

***** stars!