Customer Reviews

A Sister's Secret (Sisters of Holmes County, Book 1)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Let me say - I hated this book. I have probably read most of Brunstetters books, and I've usually enjoyed them. I think her writing is a little juvenile at times, and she doesn't really get too "in depth", but I read her anyway, because I like the Amish settings. (In my opinion, her writing cannot compare to Beverly Lewis' Amish stories - which are very, very professionally written). However, this book just made me mad by the time I was finished. The violence in the book is really out of character, and doesn't seem to fit the Amish settings at all. The story line is hard to believe. Also, the thread throughout the book of the mystery of the break-ins, destruction, animal abuse, etc., is not even addressed by the end of the book, and loose ends are left hanging! So frustrating after reading the entire book! I'm pretty sure I won't be getting the future books. It left me not caring what happens to these characters!

The Sister's Secret by Wanda Brunstetter is the first book in the Holmes County series about the Amish Hostettler family. Grace Hostettler is ready to marry Cleon Schrock after returning from her running around years (rumschpringe). But Grace has a secret that may be exposed by a reporter she knew during that time who is digging up stories on the Amish of Holmes County. Is he connected to the attacks on the Hostettler home and will Cleon be able to forgive Grace for the sins she committed before they met? I was completely surprised by this book. I was expecting a quiet family drama along the lines of Beverly Lewis' Amish books, and the slow start to this book led me further in that belief. But as pieces of Grace's life started to crash around her, the suspense ratcheted up very quickly. As the drama heightens, the pages flew by, until with only twenty or so pages to go, I was thinking No, it can't be over yet, but what about? and what about? The dialogue is a bit clunky in spots which makes for slower reading, but midway through the book I stopped noticing it and paid attention instead to the powerful plot. Grace's father and Cleon struggle so deeply with Grace's past, it's painful to read. Although Grace is more of a passive character in the story rather that a strong female lead taking action, that is to be expected of a young Amish woman, especially one who feels the deep shame she does. Grace took action once in her life and spent the next four years regretting it. And Amish passiveness is almost a character itself in the story: Grace's father's refusal to retaliate for the attacks, Cleon's response to Grace, etc. Ruth and Martha, Grace's sisters, each have their own story to tell (as I'm sure Brunstetter will in the sequels), and they are different, interesting characters. This story has many themes: forgiveness, how our actions impact others, turning the other cheek, temptation of the English world. This is the first book by Brunstetter I've read, but I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next in the series.

Grace Hostetter learned the hard way that sowing wild oats will sometimes result in a bountiful harvest. During rumschpringe, she did a few things her family doesn't know about, and she has no intention of telling them the truth. Grace is back home now, baptized into the church, and getting ready for her wedding to Cleon Schrock. Then trouble in the form of a red-headed freelance photographer named Gary Walker comes to Holmes County. Grace dated Gary while she was away from home. When they broke up he vowed to get even. Now strange things happen around the Hostetter farm. Grace blames Gary, although there is no proof he is involved.

Secrets from Grace's past surface, and she learns the consequences of not trusting enough to tell the truth. Trapped by the lies and half-truths she has told, Grace is in danger of losing all she holds dear. There was one unanswered question in the book, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. Fans of Wanda Brunstetter will enjoy A Sister's Secret, book one of the Sister's of Holmes County series.

As I read this Amish novel, I thought that of the four I've read, it was the best. However, when I came to the final page, I had changed my mind.

Secrets are dangerous things to keep. Grace, the protagonist, is haunted by the secrets in her past life. She desperately wants to tell Cleon, her fiance, but the time never seems appropriate. One day, the truth is revealed, and Grace's world turns upside down. It is interesting to see the Amish way of forgiveness at work. But does it always apply? Will Cleon be able to forgive and accept Grace? Fortunately, for the reader's satisfaction, that question is answered.

Attacks against the Hostettler property cause unexplained damage and increase in intensity. Who is responsible? Throughout the novel, the question is asked over and over and discussed at length. Yet the final page is turned without revealing the answer. Talk about a cliff hanger! This ends so abruptly, this reader is left totally frustrated.

If you're a fan of this author, you'll enjoy this one. But when you buy this book, be certain to buy the sequel A Sister's Test. It's the only way you can find out how it ends.

I have read with anticipation the other series by Wanda Brunstetter and have thoroughly enjoyed the stories.

In the Sister's Secret, the main character, Grace has deceived her family and future husband. There is great compassion of forgiveness on the part of the family and new husband.

I was very disappointed in the way the book dragged along with all of the incidents of stealing and distruction. There had to be 20-25 incidents along these lines and it made the book drag and I truthly lost my interest; especially when the mystery wasn't solved at the end of the story. The content of the book consisted of the mystery taking place and 3-4 pages relaying the recent incident to family members. Is this mystery going to continue for 3 more books? I really don't think this mystery would keep young readers interested either. Very disappointing and I don't plan on continuing with this series.

I thoroughly enjoy all of Wanda's books. She offers a look into the life of the Amish way of life. The main character in the story(Grace)has a past she doesnt even share with her beloved family, not even her best friends. She thinks they would reject her when it came out. When she is engaged to be married she doesnt share it with her husband to be. BUT after the marriage, the secret comes out when a man from the past arrives at her door with a deliteful surprise she never thought imaginable. But I wont give away the secret you will have to read it for your self, after all ITS A SECRET...:) get this today, join the Amazon Prime and get free shipping too.

I have read over 12 of this authors books. I will say that this one was my very least favorite. She repeated herself over and over and over. The story line was unbelievable. She just never quite got there. To me, it seemed that she may have had a deadline to keep and just wrote "something" and repeated herself many times to make more pages. She is an excellent author -- just not on this book.

Grace Hostettler has everything she's ever wanted: the love of a good family, a wonderful fiancé and a good job as a waitress.

She also has a secret past that no one knows about.

When a face from the past shows up and dangerous pranks start happening around the Hostettlers, Grace begins to wonder if the two are related.

Can she trust her family and her fiancé with the secret she carries? Or will her past come back to haunt her?

Brunstetter has portrayed a beautiful story of trust and forgiveness set in the heart of an authentic Amish community. Her characters are human and don't always make the right choices, but a strong sense of family permeates this novel and will warm your heart.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it.

or things not revealed sometimes can be devasting. Grace left the Amish faith, married a man, had a child. Her husband died, her in-laws took her daughter, so Grace went back to her family, settled into the Amish faith and life.

Grace finds the love of her life, just gets married. Things are looking so bright. Then one day a man with a child shows up on her parents' doorstep, with her daughter, Anna. It is her ex father-in-law. His wife has died and he is sick so he thinks it is time for Anna to live with her mother. However, Grace never told anyone she was married to an English man and had a child. Her husband, Cleon, has a hard time with this deception.

Meanwhile, it seems her family is having attacks on them. Her father's shop destroyed, her husband's beehives burned. Who is doing it? What do they want?

Read this book, you won't be sorry.

If you enjoy reading this kind of a book you will like the twist in this one. It made me cry through out the book showing that true love will find it's way back.