Return to the Big Valley

Wanda E. Brunstetter · Jean Brunstetter · Richelle Brunstetter

Jun 2021 · Barbour Publishing

About this ebook

The Brunstetters Return to a Unique Amish Setting for Three New Stories of Love
 
Journey back to an area of Pennsylvania that is home to three distinct Amish communities and meet three young women who face heartfelt disappointments in romance.
 
Wilma’s Wish by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Wilma Hostetler has been courted by Israel Zook for the last year, and he’s recently proposed marriage. But when his sister dies, leaving him to care for five young nephews who openly dislike Wilma, she has second thoughts of starting with a ready-made family and decides to call off the wedding. Can anything be done to restore the relationship, or will Israel seek another wife?
 
Martha’s Miracle by Jean Brunstetter
Martha Yoder is different from other Amish women in her love of hunting and the outdoors. Meeting Glen Swarey, who is working with the local fire department, seems to be a good match. But can Martha accept Glen’s thoughts of leaving the Amish faith, or will she walk away from a chance at love?
 
Alma’s Acceptance by Richelle Brunstetter
Alma Wengerd is a young widow who leaves her home in Kentucky to stay with friends in Pennsylvania. Soon she is speeding into a renewed romance with Elias Kurtz and raising the brows of the older church members. When Alma is waylaid by some unexpected news, could putting her happiness with Elias on hold be her only option?

Ratings and reviews

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary digital copy of The Return to the Big Valley by Wanda Brunstetter, Jean Brunstetter, Richelle Brunstetter. I voluntarily agreed to read and review prior to publication. My opinions are my own and nothing has influenced my rating. The Return to the Big Valley has three well written Amish novellas with endearing characters and heartwarming plots. The pacing is good and kept me engaged from the first page to the last. Wilma’s Wish is about a young Amish woman who is engaged and looking forward to her upcoming wedding. Then her intended’s sister dies, and he must raise her four boys. The boys are not well behaved and appear to dislike Wilma, but her loving nature eventually wins the boys over. I enjoyed the story and wanted Wilma and Israel to find their happy ending. Martha’s Miracle is a unique story because Martha is nothing like the typical Amish women. She loves the outdoors and favors fishing and hunting. Fortunately for her, Glen Swarey finds her enchanting and loves her just as she is and doesn’t expect her to change into a meek, subservient female only interested in cooking, sewing and raising children. I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful duo. Alma’s Acceptance is my least favorite tale in this anthology. The pacing is a bit slower than in the other two stories. Alma is a young widow and she’s returned to Big Valley where she attended school. While working in her friend’s card shop, she becomes reacquainted with Elais Kurtz. Feelings ignite between them, but the elders in their community frown upon their friendship. After all, her late husband hasn’t been gone long. I enjoyed their romance and wanted them to find a way to be with each other. If you enjoy Amish fiction with engaging characters and heartwarming tales, then you will enjoy The Return to the Big Valley as much as I did. There is no doubt Wanda Brunstetter is an amazing storyteller, and the other two women show promise. Happy reading!

RETURN TO THE BIG VALLEY: Wilma's Wish by Wanda Brunstetter Martha's Miracle by Jean Brunstetter Alma's Acceptance by Richelle Brunstetter One thing that all readers of Amish fiction know is that any book that is written by a Brunstetter is going to be wonderful! This is a delightful collaboration by Wanda, her daughter-in-law Jean, and Wanda's granddaughter Richelle. Each of these three women has a unique take on living the wholesome Amish life. You won't be disappointed with this book. Highly recommend. Wilma wishes to be Israel Zook's wife more than anything, but when events beyond either of their's control occur, Wilma feels forced to make a difficult decision. Martha knows deep in her heart and soul that she is meant to remain in the Amish faith and community. She is considered a "tomboy" type of girl, which is unusual in the Amish community. She can cook and clean, she'd just rather be off in the great outdoors, appreciating what God has designed for us to enjoy. Alma is a newly widowed young woman who is suffering greatly after her beloved Michael was taken unexpectedly from her. A friend offers a place for her to come and visit to try to get her mind off of her loss. Deeply faith-oriented, things that don't seem to have much focus in today's world, but loved, all the same. #BarbourPublishing #barbourbooks #barbour was so kind to provide the complimentary copy of #returntothebigvalley I was under no obligation to post a review.

Return to the Big Valley contains three Amish tales by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Jean Brunstetter, and Richelle Brunstetter. The stories are Wilma’s Wish, Martha’s Miracle, and Alma’s Acceptance. We are taken back to Big Valley, Pennsylvania which we visited in The Brides of Big Valley. Each story can be read as a standalone. I thought the stories were well-written with good life lessons. There is good dialogue and pacing as well. Each story gives us a different look at Amish life. They are heartwarming and realistic stories. I could understand Wilma’s hesitancy at suddenly becoming a mother to five mischievous boys who were making life difficult. It was definitely a situation where a person needed to step back and re-evaluate the situation. Martha Yoder is a unique Amish woman. She prefers to be outdoors, and Martha enjoys hunting and fishing. It is hard to find an Amish man who will accept her (who does not want her to change). I liked that we get to see an Amish woman in a non-traditional role. Alma becomes a widow after a year of marriage. Her friend suggests she visit her in Big Valley where she reunites with an old friend and someone she had developed feelings for as a teen. She wonders if it is too soon to find love again. I enjoyed all three tales that deal with grief, caring parents, romantic tension, relationship obstacles, love, and humor. We get to enjoy everyday life in the community. I appreciated the epilogues that nicely wrapped up each novella. Return to the Big Valley has three sweet Amish tales that are a relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

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.

Richelle Brunstetter lives in the Pacific Northwest and developed a desire to write when she took creative writing in high school. After enrolling in college classes, her overall experience enticed her to become a writer, and she wants to implement what she’s learned into her stories. Just starting her writing career, her first published story appears in The Beloved Christmas Quilt beside her grandmother, Wanda E. Brunstetter, and her mother, Jean. Richelle enjoys traveling to different places, her favorite being Kauai, Hawaii.