LYDIA’S CHARM
WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER
ISBN #: 9781602600638
September 2010
Barbour Publishing
www.barbourbooks.com
Paperback
$14.99
384 Pages
Fiction/ Christian/ Romance
Rating: 4 Cups
Lydia King lost her job a year after her husband died, leaving her with no option but to move from Arthur, Illinois, to Charm, Ohio, to live with her mother and grandfather. Lydia gets a job in order to help with the family’s dwindling finances. She tries to begin a new life by settling into her new home and job and making new friends.
Mae Weaver has moved back to her childhood home in order to care for her stern and critical, ailing father. She feels under-appreciated and resentful, leading her to become short tempered with her grandson and daughter, Lydia. When an old suitor renews their friendship, will this be just what Mae needs to soften her ever-hardening heart?
Just when Lydia starts to settle a new life, tragedy once again puts her faith to the test. Anonymous gifts left in their mailbox or on their front porch are puzzling. Can they be from a secret admirer for Lydia or her mother? Perhaps one of the two new men of Lydia’s acquaintance might bring her hope for the future. Menno Troyer’s wife died six months ago and he is having a difficult time raising his four boys all on his own. Can Lydia be a mother to his boys and the answer to his prayers? All of Levi Stutzman’s family are little people and he vowed years ago to never marry, to stay and help his family. Is Lydia the woman who will convince him he can have a life of his own? Will her new friends and her trust in the Lord help Lydia start a new life in Charm?
Wanda E. Brunstetter portrays a wonderful detail of life in an Amish community. This story is about loss and love, strength and weakness, and sadness and hope. At times, I found it so heartbreaking that it bought me to tears but in the end, it is balanced with hope and love. The characters are so realistic I felt as if I stepped out onto my front porch one or more of them would ride up in their horse and buggy. I enjoyed the fact that the author did not shy away from the not so nice aspects of some people’s personalities. It was with depth and insight that we were able to see why Mae behaved as she did. The way Ms. Brustetter handled the introduction of the Stutzman family and the way they dealt with their special circumstances was a testament of how we all deal with prejudices and carry on with our lives. This is a well-written tale of faith and hope and if you are looking for a solid story about starting over when faced with tragedy and despair, this is one to read.
Venus
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
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