A Cousin's Promise (Indiana Cousins) [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Wanda E Brunstetter (Author), Jill Shellabarger (Narrator)

Book Description

Series: Indiana Cousins | Publication Date: March 5, 2009

Love is a promise - for better or worse.  When a group of eight cousins and friends leaves their Indiana Amish community for a weekend getaway, a horrific accident brings them home forever changed. Permanently disabled by the accident, Wayne Lambright struggles to take care of himself. He can’t imagine being able to be the kind of husband his fiancée, Loraine Miller, needs. Determined to sacrifice his happiness to give her a better life, he breaks their engagement. When Loraine’s old boyfriend Jake Beechy returns from exploring the English world, Wayne does everything in his power to help Jake regain Loraine’s love. Loraine refuses to believe Wayne doesn’t love her anymore. For better or worse, Loraine wants to be Wayne’s wife, but if he won’t agree, should she promise her love to Jake? How will God work to bring Loraine the true desires of her heart?

Editorial Reviews

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. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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 Cousins series and demonstrates how God can help flawed Christians deal with devastating 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 heartfelt 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)

An excellent rendering of life taken out of our control and the dynamic results not only for individuals, but for a whole community.

(KATHY JOHNSON ARMCHAIR INTERVIEWS 20101025)

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!

(JENNIFER CASLER BOOK-A-HOLIC: CONFESSIONS OF A BOOK ADICT 20110313)

The first in the series "Indiana Cousins" and a great book as always when Wanda Brunstetter writes about the Amish...As you read this book, you hurt and even cry with these young people. 

(Edna Tollison My Favorite Things ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Oasis Audio; Unabridged edition (March 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598595512
• ISBN-13: 978-1598595512
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,374,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of almost 50 books with more than 5 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, Publisher's Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.

Wanda's fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda's desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.

All of Wanda's novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

Wanda's primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern "Englishers." Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too. For more information, visit: www.WandaBrunstetter.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amish youth, June 11, 2009

By 

Sunny (Montana, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Cousin's Promise (Indiana Cousins, Book 1) (Paperback)

A Cousin's Promise is the first book in the Indiana Cousins series. Early in the book a group of teenagers are in a car wreck and the rest of the book is about the aftermath of the accident and how it changed their lives. Before the accident Loraine and Wayne are engaged to be married, but when Wayne gets crippled he tries to figure out what is the best thing to do for himself and for Loraine since he can't provide for her now.

When Jake, Loraine's previous boyfriend, hears about the accident he comes home for the first time since he left the community to make more money. He has broken her heart once already, but Loraine is surprised at her feelings toward Jake when he returns.

Loraine is caught between these two guys. Wayne is pushing her away and difficult to be around, but she still loves him. Jake is fun to be with and obviously still has feelings for her. She gets all kinds of unwanted advice from her mom, Wayne's mom, and her best friend and cousin, Ella. I was shocked at how the moms were acting toward Loraine and the things they said to her. I guess I never thought of the Amish as having that kind of bickering, but it's human nature especially when mama's little chicks are involved.

A Cousin's Promise was a very interesting read and I felt connected to the characters right away. By the end of the book I was in the story with all of them and rooting for Loraine. The story showed a lot about forgiveness and persevering with finding what God wants, not necessarily what other people want. You might not want to read this when you're down in the dumps, though, since it deals with issues after a tragic accident. Throughout much of the book I kept wondering when something good was going to happen and was ready for things to get better. But I do recommend it and am looking forward to the rest of the series. Oh, and the ending will blow you away! But you'll have to read it for yourself.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Keeps you guessing", March 11, 2009

By 

Debra Gaynor "ReviewYourBook.com" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Cousin's Promise (Indiana Cousins, Book 1) (Paperback)

A Cousin's Promise
Written by: Wanda Brunstetter
Published by: Barbour
Reviewed by: Stephanie Rollins for ReviewYourBook.com 3/2009
ISBN: 978-1-60260-060-7
"Keeps you guessing" 4 stars
Wanda Brunstetter is the leader in Amish fiction. Her latest, A Cousin's Promise, does not disappoint. When a tragic accident occurs, a few are injured, and a few die. Those dealing with the grief have to learn to not push the ones who love them away.
Wayne, who lost a leg, is having a hard time. He thinks that he cannot marry because of his handicap. He encourages his fiancé, Loraine, to seek a relationship with Jake. Will Wayne come to his senses before Jake and Loraine plan their future? I really did not know how this one was going to end. Brunstetter is known for happy endings, but she kept hinting at a twist.
Put this on your summer reading list.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Cousin's Promise, May 1, 2009

By 

D. Moore (New Port Richey, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Cousin's Promise (Indiana Cousins, Book 1) (Paperback)

I have read almost all of Wanda Brunstetter's Amish novels, and in each one I find a new set of friends. This genre gives me a respite from an ever-increasingly chaotic world, and plunges me into a simpler life, albeit a more physically demanding, rigorous life. The author crafts characters I would like to meet. In A Cousin's Promise, there seems to be a wider range of personalities and character traits present. Not all of the characters are good at heart; some have selfish and ugly motivations. The protagonists are tested by circumstances, and discover strengths they didn't know they possessed. And, like another critic mentioned, this particular book begs to become the first in a series because it leaves the reader wondering about what happened to a number of characters.