The Hawaiian Quilt by Jean Brunstetter, Wanda E. Brunstetter Series: Hawaiian #1
Published by Thorndike Press Large Print on January 4th 2017
Genres: Amish & Mennonite, Amish Fiction, Christian, Clean & Wholesome, Friendship, Inspirational, Romance
Pages: 468
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Join Mandy Frey as she and three friends leave their Amish community in Indiana for the trip of a lifetime to Hawaii. 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? Find out in this brand new romance from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, writing with her daughter-in-law Jean Brunstetter.
I’ve mentioned a hundred or so times how I’m an emotional reviewer. I do my best rambling about a book when it’s fresh in my mind. The more time I put between the rambling and the book the less panache I have to put into a review. All that to say I’m struggling here people. I finished this book a couple of days about but there’s a whole real life and day job thing that too precedence over writing. And here I sit not sure I can pull all those immediate thoughts to the front of my brain and out my fingers.
Wanda consistently gives me vibrant, simple characters. She gives me amazing stories that soothe my heart. I mean this in the most glowing way possible. Simple characters with little to no drama just living their life and figuring out the next best thing for them. Wanda lets me slow down and just enjoy life. I love that about her books. With ‘The Hawaiian Quilt’ Wanda stepped out a bit, all in good ways. First, this story reads like her older books, greater depth of content.  We tag along as Mandy and Ellen find themselves in a situation that you don’t plan for. We watch as they find a way to make it work for them and their new friends. I mean I spent the last half of the book talking myself out of flipping to the end to see what Mandy chose. For me those decisions were pretty important. It was a need to know situation. Secondly, can we just say Hawaii. I mean you don’t really think about the Amish in Hawaii. I didn’t even know your could take a cruise from the mainland to Hawaii.
To be honest, the only thing that I didn’t love in this book was Ellen. Unexpectedly set in a tropical paradise with amazing new friends and she can’t embrace any part of it.  I feel like Ellen threw away an amazing opportunity to explore her world in a way she may never have again. No one asked her to forget her faith or even her devotion but I feel like she used her legalistic view of her faith as an excuse to not enjoy the paradise she unexpectedly found herself in. Her I was disappointed in. Wanda, along with her daughter-in-law Jean, have created engaging characters while weaving a story that is different than their norm. And I loved it! I’m waiting impatiently for the next book to release in just a couple of weeks. This book though? Came out nearly two years ago. That’s a long time to wait impatiently for a sequel.
About Jean Brunstetter
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.
About Wanda E. Brunstetter
Wanda E. Brunstetter is an award-winning, New York Times best-selling author of Amish and historical fiction. She’s also written Amish cookbooks, Amish-themed devotionals, and several children’s books with Amish characters.
Wanda E. Brunstetter writes about the Amish because they live a simple life, which she feels we all need in this day and age.
Wanda and her husband Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, have Amish friends in several Amish communities.
Besides writing books, Wanda’s a professional ventriloquist. In her spare time she photography, gardening, knitting, looking for shells and agates on the beach, and spending time with her family.
Great review! 🙂