The Hawaiian Quilt

Wanda E. Brunstetter · Jean Brunstetter

Sept 2016 · Barbour Publishing

About this eBook

When an Amish girl visits Hawaii, she discovers her calling. . .

Mandy Frey has always longed to see Hawaii, so before joining the Amish church and considering marriage with her boyfriend Gideon, she convinces three friends to join her on a cruise of the Hawaiian Islands.

But when Mandy and one of her friends miss the cruise ship after a port of call on Kauai, how will they adjust and get back home? Captured by the enchanting scenery and culture in Hawaii, their vacation turns into an extended stay. Special friendships are soon made, but home, family, and Gideon await Mandy back in Indiana.

Will time away from the Amish community change Mandy's view of the world, her faith, and true love? Does a Hawaiian quilt have the power to bring two hearts together?

Find out in this brand new romance from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, writing with her daughter-in-law Jean Brunstetter.

Ratings and reviews

The Hawaiian Quilt is the latest novel by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter. Mandy Frey is almost twenty-one years old and lives in Middlebury, Indiana. Mandy has been courting with Gideon Eash, but Mandy is not sure he is the right man for her. Mandy has been wanting to go on a trip to Hawaii for two years since hearing about it from her cousin, Ruth. Mandy and her three friends (Ellen Lambright, Barbara Hilty, and Sadie Kuhns) are going on a cruise to Hawaii (they are not supposed to fly). They take the train to Los Angeles, California to board the ship. Everything goes along swimmingly until the island of Kauai. Ellen and Mandy went off on their own instead of sticking with a group. They easily lose track of time (neither of them are wearing a watch), and Mandy lost her cell phone somewhere while sightseeing. When they arrive back at the dock, the ship has already departed. They are stuck on the island until the next boat comes through (personally, I would find a way to the ship’s next stop, but that was not part of the book). The girls are taken in by Luana and Makaio Palu at The Palm B&B. Mandy is glad for a little extra time on the island. Mandy feels at peace on Kauai. Luana gets the girls some island clothes for them to wear while on Kauai (which Mandy adores). When Makaio in injured leaving Luana without assistance, Mandy and Ellen offer to stay until April. Luana can use their help, and they work out a deal (work in exchange for room and board). Mandy meets Ken, who lives nearby with his parents on their chicken farm. Ken takes Mandy and Ellen around the island to see the various sights (though he only has eyes for one of the girls). Barbara and Sadie head for home and continue on with their lives. Barbara is lucky enough to get a job at Peggy Eash’s quilt store (Gideon’s mother). Slowly, while Mandy is away, Gideon and Barbara spend time together and get to know each other (a friends). Gideon misses Mandy and hopes that she will return home soon. But what happens when Mandy returns home? Can she be content back in her old life? Will Mandy be ready to be baptized and settle down after her time away? You will have to read The Hawaiian Quilt to see what choices Mandy makes. The Hawaiian Quilt is a lovely story. There are beautiful descriptions of Hawaii, the gorgeous quilts at the B&B, the vegetation, the ocean, animals, and etc. I enjoyed reading about Mandy and her friends on their adventure. It might be their only opportunity to ever go on such a trip. The Hawaiian Quilt is an engaging, well-written story. It captured and held my attention throughout the novel. It is an easy novel to read that can be finished in a few hours (a great way to spend an afternoon). I thought The Hawaiian Quilt was such a sweet novel. It was different from other Amish novels and I liked that about it. I give The Hawaiian Quilt 4.5 out of 5 stars (I really liked it). It is a little predictable, but it does not detract from the storyline. Another hit from Wanda and Jean Brunstetter. There are recipes at the end of the book along with discussion questions and the history of Hawaiian quilts. I will definitely be reading the next book by this writing duo. I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Good

lliketohavebook

About the author

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written more than 100 books translated in four languages. With over 11 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nation's most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards. Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs. When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.

Jean Brunstetter became fascinated with the Amish when she first went to Pennsylvania to visit her father-in-law’s family. Since that time, Jean has become friends with several Amish families and enjoys writing about their way of life. She also likes to put some of the simple practices followed by the Amish into her daily routine. Jean lives in Washington State with her husband, Richard Jr. and their three children, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish communities in several states. In addition to writing, Jean enjoys boating, gardening, and spending time on the beach. Visit Jean's website at www.jeanbrunstetter.com.