A Sister's Test (Sisters of Holmes County, Book 2) [Large Print] [Paperback]

Wanda E. Brunstetter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008

Sit back with a warm cup of herbal tea and sink into the relaxing pleasures of a story from an Amish community, virtually insulated from the fast pace of modern life. Meet Ruth Hostettler and discover how even a cocoon of tradition cannot protect the Hostettler family from unjust evil in the world. Watch as generations of faith struggle to stand firm and one woman's dreams are put to the test.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

One woman’s shattered dream. . .

One man’s second chance. . .

And the faith that can heal broken hearts. 

 

Ruth is the second oldest sister in the Hostettler family and has one burning desire—to marry and fill her Amish household with children. Life seems to be falling into place when Martin Gingerich starts to court her and when she becomes a friend to a motherless child.

 

But her dreams are suddenly shattered in one horrific moment, putting Ruth’s faith to the test. Finding herself spiritually adrift, Ruth’s only real prayer becomes a desperate “Why, God?”

 

Will Ruth find the faith and strength to rise above the ashes?

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Fascinated by the Amish people during the years of visiting her husband's family in Pennsylvania, WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER combined her interest with her writing and now has eleven novels about the Amish in print, along with numerous other stories and ministry booklets. She lives in Washington State, where her husband is a pastor, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish settlements throughout the states. www.wandabrunstetter.com [e-mail]

Product Details

• Paperback: 540 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc. (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597899801
• ISBN-13: 978-1597899802
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,109,610 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

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2nd entry in series another nail biter, March 4, 2008

By 

Christina Lockstein "Christy's Book Blog" (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: A Sister's Test (Sisters of Holmes County, Book 2) (Paperback)

A Sister's Test by Wanda Brunstetter is the second book in the Sisters of Holmes County series. Ruth Hostettler, the younger sister of Grace from A Sister's Secret, the first book, has recently broken up with troubled Luke and seeks the kind of loving marriage that Grace has found with Cleon. When Martin Gingerich starts courting her, they both feel the need to marry immediately, as though something is warning them. The attacks on the Hostettler family farm have continued and ratcheted up in intensity. Someone has it out for this Amish family, and they aren't afraid to take extreme measures. Is it Grace's English ex-boyfriend or Luke, Ruth's ex-boyfriend who is still going through rumspringa? I don't normally read the many Amish Christian fiction books on the market, but this series truly stands out from the rest. There is suspense and mystery along with deep faith and family. It's a real page turner that's impossible to put down. Each member of the family has their own way of dealing with the siege of terror, from the father's quiet acceptance, to youngest sister Martha's detective work. Every character pops off of the page and breathes life into the story. I don't know how I'm going to hold out until July to read the final book in the series, A Sister's Hope, to find out who the attacker is!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I don't understand the rave reviews, July 22, 2008

By 

Linda Lauzon "Karamelle25" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Sister's Test (Sisters of Holmes County, Book 2) (Paperback)

I don't get it. I read the first and second book and was again left with no ending. The whole book focussus on the vandalisms and threats, as did the first book and still, no conclusion to that. Also, reading this book is like watching a soap opera. You can skip a page and read a page and not miss a beat. If you were to delete all of the repeating the same things over and over again, you'd probably be left with 100 pages rather than the nearly 300 that there is. I have many books by W. Brunstetter and other Amish others but must say that this series is a terrible bore.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Always a surprise!, February 1, 2008

By 

B. Russo (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Sister's Test (Sisters of Holmes County, Book 2) (Paperback)

I love how the book is a continuation of the first book, but still has its own plotline. Just when I think I can figure out who is doing all the bad things to the Hostetlers, I'm turned another way and think it's someone else. The ONLY thing I recommend is that you don't read the front cover to see what it's about. I could figure out what was going to happen to Ruth by reading that, and yet it still took me in different turns once it got there. I love the simplicity, the wholesomeness, the suspense, and the emotions involved throughout the book. Can't wait for number 3!!