Letters of Comfort by best-selling author Wanda E. Brunstetter is Book Two in her series The Friendship Letters. This is a Christian, contemporary Amish fiction. It may be read as a stand alone, but since the book shares characters with Book 1, readers might benefit from reading it first. The author does a stellar job keeping readers appraised on the activities that happened previously.
This is the story of Doretta. The book opens with Doretta and finance William joyfully counting down the days until their wedding. Then tragedy strikes in the form of a buggy accident and things swiftly change. Doretta is critically injured and in a coma. William is killed without her even knowing it.
From page I was invested in the story and its characters. My heart hurt for Doretta for the deep loss she had incurred. Her story was written in an open and honest way. This book shows ways that help those who are hurting. There is a strong message of faith woven throughout the entire fabric of this novel.
With themes of grief, depression, struggles, friendship, faith, and second chances, this is an emotionally charged story. Depression is handled in a realistic way. The characters are expertly crafted and believable. The dialog is authentic. For the most part the story is predictable, but the message of hope and restoration is genuine. This is a deeper, realistic subject series than most Amish ones that I have read. These issues are things that happen to everyone.
I highly recommend this book. It will stay with you and make you ponder over its finely crafted tale for a long time. This would make a great reading group choice. After the conclusion of the story, is a recipe from it. Following that are a note from the author, discussion question guide, and a listing of all of the books written by the author. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by the publisher but these are my honest words.
PRODUCT DETAILS
ASIN : B0BZR27CJ4
Publisher : Barbour Fiction (August 1, 2023)
Publication date : August 1, 2023
Language : English
File size : 3860 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
Print length : 322 pages
Page numbers source ISBN : 1636094872
About Book Two
Doretta Schwartz used to be so happy and passed her positive attitude along to friends in several letters she wrote each month. But that all changed the day she learned of her fiance’s death and a heavy weight of depression fell upon her. Feeling empty, she puts away her letter writing and won’t even respond to calls from friends. William’s twin brother, Warren, is also grieving his loss, while at the same time, trying to be supportive to his parents and Doretta. Doretta responds to Warren’s friendship, but is he just becoming a replacement for the once-in-a-lifetime love she lost?
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 over 100 books with more than 12 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD.
Shielding the Witness by USA Today Bestselling Author, Mary Alford is a Christian Amish Romance Suspense that will have you turning page after page to see what will happen next. It is one of the Love Inspired Suspense line of books.
I was immediately invested in the story and characters. This book starts off with a lot of action and keeps up the pace. There are twist and turns to keep readers interested.
This is the story of Faith Cooper. Her husband was murdered by his brother. She doesn’t know where to turn. There is a lot of heartache, action, mystery, and suspense involved with the brothers and those that are associated with them.
Faith finds herself in danger and leaves to find shelter with another family member. She runs into an old friend. He wants to keep her safe, but will he be able?
Author Alford has a wonderful writing style. With well rounded, believable characters and a knowledge of the Amish lifestyle, she wove an action filled story that had me captivated. The surprises kept me on my toes and guessing. The spiritual and life lessons were timeless.
Spend some time with this riveting tale. It is entertaining and will keep you trying to solve what might happen next. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.
About the Book
Book: Shielding the Amish Witness
Author: Mary Alford
Genre: Amish Romantic Suspense
Release date: April 1, 2021
Seeking refuge in Amish country puts everyone she loves in danger.
On the run after discovering her brother-in-law was behind her husband’s murder, Faith Cooper can think of only one safe place—her Amish grandmother’s home. But when danger follows Faith to the quiet Amish community, her childhood friend Eli Shetler is her only protection. And their survival depends on outlasting a relentless killer…one who has nothing left to lose.
USA Today Bestselling Author, Mary Alford, loves giving her readers the un-expected, whether it be in a rugged mountain setting or a peaceful Amish community.
Her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestselling List, Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling List, and have been finalists in the Daphne Du Maurier award of excellence, The Beverly, The Maggie, and The Selah Awards.
Mary lives in Texas with her husband, two very spoiled cats, and a sweet rescue dog name Cody. Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Face-book and Twitter or any social platforms listed at www.maryalford.net.
More from Mary
As a reader, I love books that are part of a series. There’s something comforting about being able to revisit characters that are special to me and meet new ones along the way. You get to go back to your favorite place and hang out with the people who make you smile.
It’s like coming home.
When I set out to write a series about five Amish brothers, I knew exactly where I wanted to set the series. The West Kootenai Amish community in Montana. West Kootenai is a remote community with sweeping mountain views surrounded by vast wilderness spaces. The perfect setting for suspense, along with a chance at redemption and a second chance for the hero and heroine. I love that.
In November, I introduced Covert Amish Christmas, the first book in the series that featured Aaron Shetler, the oldest of the five brothers.
In Shielding the Amish Witness, we meet Eli Shetler, a widower who has returned to West Kootenai to try to start over after his wife’s death two years earlier.
Eli is reunited with his childhood friend, Faith Cooper, who is running from a relentless killer who was once part of her family.
The book takes the reader through the breathtaking countryside of West Kootenai and into the homes of the Shelter family. We get to catch up on what Aaron and Victoria have been up since last we met and are introduced to some new family members. That’s the wonderful thing about series.
So, come with me on a trip to the beautiful community of West Kootenai, Montana where I hope my characters will make you feel right at home.
In writing about the Amish, I’ve come to love preparing their dishes. I’ve tried many recipes, from Amish Pizza to Friendship soup. But one of my all-time favorites is Amish Fry Pies. They are SO good!
Today, I thought I’d share the recipe for Amish Apple Fry Pies. I love this delicious desert and I hope you will as well.
To make the filling, combine the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a small saucepan. Cook on medium heat until juices start to form, about 3 minutes. Make a slurry by whisking together the cider and cornstarch. Stir this into the pan, turn the heat up to high, and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened, about 3 minutes longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
For the dough, cut the butter into cubes then use a pastry cutter to work it into the flour. Continue to cut in the butter until it’s in small pea-sized lumps. In a small mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks and salt together. Slowly pour in hot milk, stirring constantly. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture. Stir together until a dough begins to form. Turn the dough out onto parchment or wax paper, and knead it until it smooths out, about 1 minute.
Divide the dough into 6 equal sized pieces and roll them each into a ball. Use a rolling pin to roll them out to about 6-inch circles. Fill each circle with 2 Tablespoons of apple mixture. Fold the dough in half over the filling and pinch the edges together to seal. You can flute the edges or use a fork to crimp them. If the edges aren’t sealing properly, wet them with a little water.
Heat the oil in a deep saucepan to 350 degrees. You can test to see if the oil is ready by sticking a wooden spoon into the center of the pot. If small bubbles form around the handle, you’re ready to go.
Place the pies in the hot oil one at a time and fry until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to dry.
Repeat with remaining pies.
While the pies fry, make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. It’s best to glaze the pies while they’re still warm. I use a pastry brush to brush the glaze on one side then let it dry, flip them over, and glaze the other side. You can put two coats of glaze on for extra sweetness if you like but wait for the glaze to harden in between coats.
Pies can be stored uncovered for 2-3 days. If you want the glaze to remain hard, do not place the pies in a plastic bag or sealed container. Just leave them on a wire rack or pan.
One of the most popular resolutions for the New Year is to cook and eat healthier. Anyone trying to do that? Me, too! There are many recipes, cookbooks, blogs, and sites out to offer us help. Honestly, if I used more common sense and less sugar I believe I could figure this thing out myself. Well, with prayer, too. Couldn’t you?
First off, pray for guidance. Secondly, I know I need to eat more vegetables. I love them so that should not be a problem. Right? Well, it can be. Creativity is the issue with me. Do you get bored with the same old way of fixing veggies? It is time to experiment.
Do you like cucumbers? Have you tried them in a salad with tomatoes, green peppers, and feta? Delicious! With a light dressing this fresh salad comes alive with flavor and has very few calories. Winner!
This Fresh Cucumber, Tomato, Feta salad comes from Pampered Chef. Yes, I’m a Pampered Chef Lady. My daughter-in-law brings a praise-worthy version of this to family gatherings. This would make a nice lunch choice. Even adding a lean protein and doubling the portion of the salad the calories would total less than 500.
The three lowest calorie cheeses are feta, Swiss, and mozzarella. Bummer about cheddar, I know. My cheese of choice is Swiss which I substitute in this recipe. I am an onion fan so occasionally I will toss in a few.
If I would just eat what God has given us, I know my body would be healthier. Just look at the historical account of Daniel in the Bible. God has provided so many fruits, vegetables, and proteins for us. Absolutely I love desserts, but I do not need them as often as I indulge. They will be reserved for a special occasion or treat. (I may need you to remind me of that later.)
My body is a temple for the Holy Spirit so I need to make 2020 a year of repairs on it. What about you? What shape is your temple in now?
Enjoy the salad recipe!
Salad
2 seedless cucumbers, cut into 3″ (7.5 cm) pieces and in half lengthwise
4 plum tomatoes, tops removed and cut in half lengthwise
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and quartered
4 oz (125 g) chunk feta cheese, cut in half lengthwise
Black pepper
Dressing
1/4 cup (50 mL) white balsamic or white wine vinegar
1/2 cup (125 mL) olive oil or vegetable oil
1/2 tbsp (7 mL) sugar
1 tsp (5 mL) Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
garlic clove, pressed
DIRECTIONS
For salad, cut cucumbers with the Quick Slice, place in a large serving bowl; repeat with remaining ingredients, except pepper.
For dressing, combine all ingredients in Measure, Mix & Pour®. Mix until blended.
Drizzle 1/3 cup (75 mL) dressing over vegetables; toss. Refrigerate remaining dressing for another use. Top with black pepper, if desired.
Yield:
12 servings of about 3/4 cup /175 mL
Nutrients per serving:
Calories 45, Total Fat 2.5 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Sodium 170 mg, Carbohydrate 4 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 3 g
Christmas and cookies just seem to go together. Kids of all ages love cookies. Don’t you? From the simple chocolate chip and peanut butter to fancier bonbons and cookie press spritz, a tray of cookies is always a welcomed delight at any home.
I remember making Christmas candy with both of my grandmothers but not cookies. My mother and I made those along with treasured memories. Mother is a wonderful cook and baker. She is also a true Proverbs 31 woman even to this day. I am blessed to have a Christian mother to teach me many things, especially about Jesus.
One of our family’s favorite cookies is Spritz or Cookie Press Butter Cookies. A hint of almond mixed with pure buttery goodness in small shapes of wreaths, Christmas trees, stars, and hearts give the kitchen a heavenly aroma when baking. These are scrumptious any time of the year. The best thing about them is the fun I have when making them with a loved one.
Christmas memories don’t need to be about a gift you received. Make sweet memories this year by making cookies for family and friends with your mother, daughter, sister, or friend. Actually, that will be a gift in itself. I still smile when I travel back in time to a little red brick house and am making cookies with my mother and little sister. The smiles on faces of friends and family when we gave them a tin of homemade cookies warmed our souls. Yes, the gift we gave became a gift returned to us.
Need a cookbook for some great recipes? Amish author Wanda Brunstetter has a Christmas cookbook that even has a recipe for these cookies:
I love the Amish cookbooks. If you are not familiar with Amish, they love to cook, bake, and eat! Now that is a recipe for a great cookbook. Get it at Amazon or wherever you normally buy books.
Well, top of the mornin’ to ya and Happy St. Patty’s Day! ‘‘Tis the day everyone claims to be at least a wee bit Irish, What about you? Are you really of Irish decent or just Irish today?
A sea of green will be flowing everywhere today because most everyone wears green clothes, Irish or not, on this day. It is the day many foods turn green on purpose. Even the river in Chicago turns green. This is also the one day of the year that we all put a “Mc” or “O” in front of our surname and become Irish. Yes, it’s St. Patrick’s Day!
St. Patrick was a soul saver. A soldier for the Lord. That is what we are really celebrating. He used a three leaf clover to teach people about the trinity. St. Patrick turned thousands of hearts, minds, and souls to the one true God. Now, doesn’t that sound like cause to celebrate! I think so, too.
It isn’t about having things green and being Irish. No fictional little leprechauns with rainbows and pots of gold were there. This is about celebrating the vast number of Druids, pagans that were saved and became Christians.
Irish are supposed to be lucky among a lot of other things. You’ve heard of the “luck of the Irish,” right? Hmm, I am not sure about that. Well, I guess you could say the ones that met St. Patrick were lucky, or could you? Was it luck that drew them to St. Patrick or something else? Perhaps the Holy Spirit.
Do you believe in luck? Do you think there is gold at the end of the rainbow? Personally, I don’t really believe much in luck or leprechauns. Maybe if I keep losing when playing a game I say I have bad luck, but outside of that I don’t put belief in luck. My faith and trust are in Jesus. He is the one that guides and directs me just like He did St. Patrick.
When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, He was the Way or rainbow to my riches. I followed Him. My gold happens to be where Jesus prepared a place for me at the end of my earthly life – in Heaven. That is where my heart is, too. In Heaven the Bible says there will be beautiful streets of gold.
My saved loved ones will be there. There will be no more sickness, no more death, no more tears. My Savior, Jesus, is there. Our Almighty God, my Maker, is there. Talk about hitting the jackpot or pot of gold! That is everything I could ever want. Wow, no riches can compare to that. None. So what about you? Where is your pot of gold?
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt. 6:19-21.
Traditional Irish St. Patrick’s Day Dish
Irish Colcannon, an Irish Treasured Dish
1 lb. potatoes peeled white or unpeeled red potatoes
½ lb. bacon (cut into small 1-inch squares)
1 T. Kosher salt
6 cups thinly sliced cabbage (approximately a head)
6 T. butter (four for the cabbage and two for the potatoes)
½ cup whipping cream (or milk)
Fresh parsley chopped finely-a few sprigs will do
A large onion, chopped
5 or 6 scallions or a clump (handful) of chives
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Wash potatoes and peel if you’re using thick skinned.
Cut the potatoes in quarters and place in a large pot of boiling water.
Add the Kosher salt. Boil for approximately 25 minutes.
Stick one of the potatoes with a fork to see if they’re cooked. They should be tender and easy to penetrate with the prongs.
Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat.
When they’re finished cooking, add 4 T. butter.
Add the cabbage and onions.
Sauté the cabbage mixture until almost done, with the onions translucent and cabbage a bit crispy. Some people prefer to cook the mixture until everything is soft. It just depends on whether you like a bit of crunch or not. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
Drain the potatoes and add the butter and cream or milk, mashing it to silky smoothness—unless you left the skins on, then almost silky smoothness.
Add the onion, cabbage mixture and salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot. Enjoy this Irish classic dish.
God has provided so many fruits, vegetables, and proteins for us. Absolutely I love desserts, but I do not need them as often as I indulge. They will be reserved for a special occasion or treat. (I may need you to remind me of that later.)
A soldier for the Lord. That is what we are really celebrating. He used a three leaf clover to teach people about the trinity. St. Patrick turned thousands of hearts, minds, and souls to the one true God. Now, doesn’t that sound like cause to celebrate! I think so, too.
That is where my heart is, too. In Heaven the Bible says there will be beautiful streets of gold.
Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess 