Customer Reviews

A Cousin's Challenge (Indiana Cousins, Book 3)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read the first two books of this series and was so excited about this one I stayed up late and read the whole book. I agree with a previous reviewer it should have been two books! There was not enough time spent developing the relationships between the couples nor the relationship between the individuals and God. Which is sad because in the previous books the authoress took such care to establish emotions, situations and relationships that you couldn't help but feel what the characters where feeling. Not so much in the book.

My other problem was the tragedy! There was so much it really became ridiculous. It really felt like a soap opera. I liked that in the previous books it was about overcoming the main tragedy at the beginning of the first book.

Well I wish the series had ended with a better (two) book(s), but this how it goes sometimes. Authors in general should stick with the same successful formula that they are have already established for the series. Readers like that! Loved the first two books!

I have read everything that Wanda has written but was disappointed in this book. The characters were not developed, I felt no attachment to them or their lives, all the drama and tragedy was unrealistic, it just wasn't a Wanda Brunstetter type book.
Do read it if you started the series, otherwise skip this one. It's very confusing with the two couples and all the accidents, illnesses, deaths, and especially the robbery. It's like she can't decide where she wants to go so she is all over the place.
I know that authors can't hit a home run everytime so I will be waiting for the next Brunstetter book to be a good one, which is the norm. God bless, BJ

Two years ago, Jolene Yoder and her friends planned a visit to Hershey Park. In a blink of an eye, their plans changed when the vehicle they were riding in left the road and crashed. Jolene lost her hearing and was unable to keep her teaching position; she left to go live with her Aunt and Uncle to come to terms with her new silent world.


A message from her mother asks her to come back to her Amish hometown of Topeka, Indiana. She learns that two deaf children have moved to her hometown and are in need of her help in order to attend the local school. Jolene is reluctant to accept because it would mean she would go back home and see her friends, knowing that she would not be able to hear their voices. In Jolene's heart she has always known teaching was her true calling.

Lonnie Hershberger and his family moved from Illinois to Indiana. He is heartbroken that he had to leave behind his girlfriend Carolyn. When he invites her to visit him in Indiana and she doesn't come, he realizes that he must put his love for her behind him and move on with his new life in Indiana.

When Lonnie meets Jolene he feels an immediately immediate attraction to her. He wonders if God has put him in Indiana in order to see the woman that was meant to be with him. Will Jolene return Lonnie's feelings? Or is there someone else who has an interest in claiming Jolene's heart?

A COUSIN'S CHALLENGE is the third and final installment of Wanda E. Brunstetter's Indiana Cousins series. It has been a long time since I have been so impressed by a series. Wanda E. Brunstetter's talented pen has created memorable characters that are truly unforgettable. I have high hopes that one day the Hallmark channel turns the Indiana Cousins series into a Hallmark movie; I would love to sitback and actually be able to see this series on a live screen.

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This is the first book I have read by Wanda Brunstetter, and based off this novel I would not read another book by her. The novel starts off with so much dialogue, I felt as if my head were going to explode. I spend my days around my children who talk non-stop and then spend my nights at work where I have co-workers and employees whom I must pay attention and attend too. For me, reading is about getting away. I like to get lost in a story and be part of it. Use my own thought to wrap myself in how I feel about the book. This book left no room for interpretation. I didn't even feel as if I were there. The diagloue and converstation told you exactly what every character thought, felt or did. The book was very easy to read. I felt it was better suited for a younger audiance, maybe pre-teen readers.

The author also constantly switched her dialogue. She would talk "English" and then speak in "Amish" language. I felt more that she threw the words in there just because it was an amished based book or setting, rather than it actually flowing or being part of the book. I have read many other books that deal with the Amish way of live and enjoyed them immensely. I felt this one had every typical thought or stereotype of the Amish. I am unsure of how the author would have finished this book if she did not have tradedy at her disposal. As soon as something bad would happen, a few pages later you were reading more bad situations or some tradegy that has taken place. It was exhausting. I couldn't wait to just finish the book and be done with it.

As much as I disliked this book, the author did keep me interested enough to find out what happens and how it all would end. Even though I predicted it pretty much exactly. I think this book could have been much better. It felt rushed and put together. Like people expected a third book, but maybe there should not have been. If you enjoy this authors work, please give the book a try. If you have never read a book by her, please try a different book first. I don't think this is the one to start with.

This was the third book in the Indiana Cousin's series by Wanda Brunstetter, and it was such a great conclusion to the story :) Just when we think all hope is lost, God shows us that He has never stepped away, but has always been there to help us with whatever we need. Jolene and Lonnie share the same issue - they both have lost their hearing and both struggle with communicating for a time, until they realize their stubbornness is hurting them rather than helping them. Jolene was a school teacher before her hearing loss and goes back to that so she can offer lip-reading classes and sign language to not only her students who are deaf, but to adults and the other school children so that they can all communicate. And in the end, Lonnie realizes that he has much to offer if he only accepts her help and trusts God in all things. The stories on the Amish are always well-researched and beautifully written, giving us a glimpse into their simple and God-devoted lives. I recommend them very much!

I have loved evey book Wanda Brunstetter has blessed us with. This series in my opinion is far the best. The Amish way of life is more to life, and I feel their struggles and tragedy as much as they did. This series of book made me laugh and cry. A cousin's Challenge was the perfect end to the series. I read this book in one day I just could not put it down. Wanda Brunstetter great work! I think people of all ages can enjoy these books.

I have read all of Wanda's books and enjoyed them but this one series has a lot of unecessary hardship in and it would
appear that the amish people are really prone to getting hit on the head - falling off a ladder - getting in wrecks and -- well --- somethig all the time. The Amish people are not like that - they are alert and prepared and have forsight .I like the way Wanda threads her writing with scripture and yet I do think it is a sort of after the fact scripture. I would like to see God"s will be done by the avoidance of so much hardship and believe me it is - but not in some of her books - medical issues and falls and hospital visits arMisto Gourmet Brushed Aluminum Olive Oil Sprayere a major point. I would like to read a series in which the uncomplicated life of the Amish refreshes me and restores my peace - in this troubled world we all need that.

Book three of the "Indiana Cousins" series by Wanda Brunstetter.

I have read the first two books and this one just flowed right into the family of cousins. This boo features Jolene who had lost her hearing in a car accident and she was living with her aunt in Pennsylvania where she lad learned how to sign and read lips. She was teacher in her hometown of Topeka, Indiana, now they were wanting her to come home and teach some deaf children and this is where she goes back to her hometown.

After she arrives home and greets her cousins, some had married and some had not. Ella had always liked Jake but he was a young man that just could not settle down.

In this book there is a lot going on, while accidents happen, more that I think I have ever read in one of Wanda's books. As another young man lost his hearing when their propane tank exploded, so he could not do what he loved anymore and that was to help his dad in the family business of making and tuning wind chimes. He love to hear them and to tune them. Now this part of his life is over.

When Jake came back home "again" when his dad fell and broke both of his legs, so he had to work on the pig farm, which he hated.

In this book there are two love stories and they all are very good. As I read this book I realize that the Amish people have their problems as we do in the English community.

Thanks to Barbour Publishing for sending this book to me to review.

Surprisingly I liked this book more than the last in the series. The leading lady, Jolene, is deaf and it is intriguing and exciting to watch her story unfold. I've never read a book with a deaf character before, but I can't imagine how it could be done better. The romances in this book were sweet and I loved the recipe at the end of the book!

Another wonderful book written by Wanda Brunstetter! This is a book that you have to read in one sitting! I just loved it!