Customer Reviews

A Cousin's Prayer (Center Point Christian Romance (Large Print))

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just finished book #2 last night--it was hard to put down! I really enjoyed the book, and can't wait till book #3 comes out--what a great series!

This is another one of Wanda's terrific books. Each of her books are christian, wholesome reading for the entire family! This is a must read!

Love Wanda Brunstetter books. I have all of her books and have never been disappointed by any of them. If you like good Amish fiction books that hold your interest you definetly want to read her books.

A Cousin's Prayer is a thought provoking story of a young Amish girl, Kate who cannot seem to get her life back together after a terrible automobile accident that killed her beloved. I did have a problem with Kate who at first refused to allow anyone to share her pain and wouldn't let anyone help her out of her grief and guilt. But did everything come out happy in the end? You have to read the book yourself to see. Colleen B.

I sat down to read this book last night, and ended up reading it all at once to see what would happen. Like any engaging book, the characters stuck in my mind today. So, I want to share the good, the bad and some recommendations! First of all: this book is not going to be a classic. The subject is rather cliche and predictable and some of the dialog is unrealistic. For style, it is just an average book. Not bad, not exceptional. However, the content of the book is the important part. I commend the author for painting an excellent picture of how people should treat each other. Yes, there is an antagonist, as with most novels; however, there are portrayals of great communication and healthy relationships that make great examples. Many of the main characters have secrets, hidden fears, shames, etc., but they learn to communicate with each other with respect and I think its admirable. If only people in "real life" treated each so well! The characters are Amish and there is a strong sense of community and family life that really strikes me as wholesome and more meaningful than a whole stack of flashier romance novels. The romantic lead isn't a Fabio, but he is a good man, and these characters choose their mates for their character qualities rather than superficial aspects. Wouldn't we all be a lot wiser to do the same? So yes, this book is goody two shoes, it is wholesome, it is corny, it is cheesy and old fashioned... BUT there is a sense of goodness and integrity throughout, and those are two things that are sometimes sadly lacking in our "real" lives. The characters aren't perfect, but they are very rich in emotional intelligence and honest compassion and caring.

There is also an educational aspect that I appreciated. The main character, Katie, is suffering from severe panic attacks. Actually, it sounds like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but that diagnosis is never mentioned. The text emphasizes the importance of caring for one's mental health without shame, and gives some truths about panic disorder that may help to educate others. It also stresses the importance of getting help, maybe even taking medicines, and, (something I appreciate as a natural health lover,) the potential of homeopathic and natural remedies. As someone who has suffered from both panic attacks and PTSD, I appreciated the thoughtful and realistic portrayal.

Another feature I liked was the author's inclusion of Amish terms. It added a nice sense of authenticity. Though there was not a glossary, each term was incredibly well defined by the text. Whenever a character used a foreign term, the other character in the conversation would repeat it in English. I don't know the author's career background, but that is actually the preferred technique for teaching speakers of other languages--using words in context and repeating so the meaning is obvious. The author's technique was very natural yet educational.

So, who should read this book? Christians or people who are open minded to faith for sure. There are strong religious tones throughout and a passage that involves a character accepting Christ. If that annoys you, this isn't the book for you! It would also work for people who appreciate a wholesome family life or "plain" living or people looking for G rated romance. I think the book shows, as I noted before, excellent examples of real love in action with all the meaning and none of the flash.

Katie Miller left her Indiana Amish community to live with her grandparents in Florida after blaming herself for panicking over a bee in their vehicle heading to Hershey Park. They were in an accident as her boyfriend Timothy's van crashed; he, Paul and Raymond died in the crash while Wayne lost the use of his legs and Jolene her hearing. Grieving her loss, she returns to her Hoosier State roots to attend the wedding of Loraine to Wayne. Afterward, Katie knows she cannot go back to Florida as the sunshine died with her boyfriend.

Still grieving Katie also suffers from anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Freeman Bontrager, who has been half in love with Katie for years, offers her solace. Katie finds him comforting, but he also seems interested in Eunice. When rumors spread about Katie, she feels Freeman betrayed her after she trusted him with her fears and secrets.

The second Indiana Cousins relationship drama (see A COUSIN'S PROMISE) is a terrific character driven tale as Kate and others struggle with survivor guilt that even engulfs loved ones who were not in the accident. For instance Kate's mom feels remorse for sending her to Florida last year, but was unsure then and remains uncertain as to what to do. Fans will enjoy this deep saga as everyone tries to move pass the tragedy through the help of God and loved ones.

Harriet Klausner

I purchased this book through Amazon.com and the quality is excellent. I highly recommend the purchase of this book to anyone.

This is the second book in the Indiana Cousins series and it's even better than the first. Katie Miller's struggle to overcome panic attacks and her search for faith come together in a compelling story. As usual, Wanda Brunstetter weaves in a cast of characters full of flaws and strengths who are so very... human. Suitable for any age, this book is an easy one to recommend.

This is he second books of the series "Indiana Cousin's" and as the first one it features one person more that the others. In this on Katie Miller is still very depressed from losing her fiancée Timothy. She is really having a hard time with something she has no knowledge of what it is but if she leaves home she gets really sick and has an attack that feels as she is going to die. "I know how this is because I go through the same thing, I do not like to leave my house".

Everyone is really worried about her and she finds a friend that she went to school with and she can talk to him more that she can anyone else. Freeman Bontranger has his own bicycle shop and loves his work. The Amish are like the rest of the country they are having a hard time with jobs and making a living.

Freeman befriend Katie and tell her things about himself he has never told anyone else. The family encourages her to go to a counselor but at first her Mom went with her and answered all the questions, so the counselor told the Mom for her not to come in with Katie anymore. Katie told her mom that she didn't even want her to go with her in the car that they hire. Freeman started going with her, but another young woman has set her mind to have Freeman and she stats telling tells about Katie.

This is a very good book and I want to think Barbour Publishing for sending me this copy to review.

Katie Miller's boyfriend, Timothy, was killed in an accident a year earlier. Long before she's ready, Katie is invited to return to her home in Indiana to stand up for her cousin at the wedding. At first, Katie wants to refuse to go, but she reluctantly agrees when her granny suggests that she goes with her.

Freeman Bontrager has been interested in Katie since their schooldays. Now that she is home from Florida, Freeman worries that something is wrong with Katie. She doesn't look well at all.

When Katie's grandmother informs Katie that she is going to move away from Florida to Wisconsin, Katie is devastated. Now she is being forced to stay in Indiana in the community that has far too many memories. Will Katie be willing to let go of the past, and find a new love?

A COUSIN'S PRAYER is book two in the Indiana Cousins series. I enjoyed getting to know Freeman and Katie. Katie is definitely a wounded character and has a lot of issues to work through.

The conversation in A COUSIN'S PRAYER is a bit stilted, but the romance is sweet, if a bit predictable. I did grow to care for Freeman. Katie never completely won my sympathy, though I tried. A recipe and discussion questions are included at the end of the book.