Letters of Wisdom by Wanda E. Brunstetter

 Letters of  Wisdom

Book Summary

Friendship Letters Series — Doretta Schwartz has always enjoyed writing letters and feels her letters can be a bit of a ministry to her friends. In this series, exchanging letters that contain open and honest feelings and struggles helps Doretta and two of her best friends through the darkest challenges of their lives.

 

Letters and Prayers Between Friends Become a Balm for Healing

 

Irma Miller thought having a family of her own would bring her joy and a sense of accomplishment, but she struggles with memories of the abuse she suffered as a child at the hand of her stepfather. When she becomes physically and emotionally abusive to her own children, she reaches out to her friend Doretta for prayer and wisdom. But Irma may find herself at an even darker emotional place before she will admit she needs professional help to heal the past traumas. Will Doretta’s letters of wisdom help Irma and her family, or will too much be broken to ever be repaired?

 

Find out in the third book of The Friendship Letters series by New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter.

My Thoughts

Letters of Wisdom by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the third book in The Friendship Letters series.  It can be read as a standalone, but I believe it is best to read the series in order.  This will allow you to know the characters and their backgrounds.  I thought the story was well-written with realistic, developed characters.  Irma Miller struggles to take care of her children while her husband is away auctioneering.  She has three children, and the two boys are active.  She looks forward to receiving letters from her dear friends, Doretta and Eleanor.  They send words of encouragement along with helpful books.  Irma had a pleasant childhood until her father passed away and her mother remarried.  Her stepfather was abusive, and Irma never understood why her mother did not intervene. 

We get to see how a victim of abuse can become an abuser.  Those who have suffered mental and/or physical abuse may find the story hard to read.  There were portions that I was unable to read.  Irma’s husband, LaVern, is a gem. It is obvious that he loves his wife and kids (and wants what is best for them).  I like how the abuse was addressed.  I was not aware that there were Christian counselors.   Abuse, guilt, self-worth, bitterness, resentment, and forgiveness are themes addressed in the story.  Letters of Wisdom is a character driven story.  I liked how the characters told the story.  I enjoyed catching up with the characters from the first two books.  Letters of Wisdom is an emotional tale with an overwhelmed mother, helpful letters, a hardworking husband, energetic tykes, finding forgiveness, and a gracious God.  

Letters of Wisdom will be out March 1 and can be preordered from Amazon*.  The first two books in The Friendship Letters series are Letters of Trust and Letters of Comfort.  Wanda has The Protector coming out August 1.  It is the first A Mifflin County Mysteries. You can find Wanda Brunstetter's other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I am a stop on the Celebrate Lit Tour tomorrow for The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker.  It is the third book in The Heart of the Amish series.  I hope you will stop by to learn more about the Amish story and to enter the giveaway.  I am off to sort another closet.  I am slowly getting each closet organized.  I found a travel bag of  new Halloween t-shirts in the back of my closet along with two pair of sandals still in their boxes.  I hope that you have an uplifting day. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Letters of Comfort by Wanda E. Brunstetter

 Letters of Comfort

Book Summary

Friendship Letters Series — Doretta Schwartz has always enjoyed writing letters and feels her letters can be a bit of a ministry to her friends. In this series, exchanging letters that contain open and honest feelings and struggles helps Doretta and two of her best friends through the darkest challenges of their lives.
 
A Ministry of Letter Writing Restores Hope to the Writer
 
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 fiancé’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?
 
Find out in the second book of The Friendship Letters series by New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter.

My Thoughts

Letters of Comfort by Wanda E. Brunstetter has Doretta Schwartz in a buggy accident days before her wedding.  When Doretta wakes up in the hospital, she learns her fiancé, William is dead, and she has suffered terrible injuries. Doretta finds herself despondent and grieving.  Doretta’s letters helped her best friend Eleanor through a challenging time the previous year, and Eleanor is hoping she can do the same for Doretta.  I thought Letters of Comfort was well-written with realistic characters and situations.  I could feel the characters’ emotions.  Doretta was struggling not only with her grief but with the limitations from the injuries she suffered.  I could understand why she was in a dark place.  It is good that Doretta has family and friends who love and support her.   It will take time for Doretta to shed her depression and work through her grief.  Understanding, love, faith, and encouragement are what Doretta needs during this challenging time. 

Warren, William’s twin brother, is grieving as well.  He feels the loss of his twin deeply as do his parents.  Warren and William were opening a health food store after William and Doretta’s wedding.  Warren decides to proceed on his own, but he needs help in the store.  He hires his girlfriend, but it is not a match made in heaven.  Warren prays another solution will present itself to him.  I like that we get to see how each character manages their grief.  No two people handle the same way and I like that the author showed this in the story. The character’s relationship with God can help them with their journey through the stages of grief if they allow Him.  I like how faith was interwoven into the story.  Letters of Comfort is an emotional story (make sure to have a box of tissues nearby).  I appreciated the humor sprinkled throughout the story.  It gave some lightness to the story that was needed.  Letters of Comfort is the second book in The Friendship Letters series.  While Letters of Comfort can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading Letters of Trust first.  It will allow you to get to know the characters and their back story.  Letters of Comfort is a touching tale with an appalling accident, grappling with grief, a horse whisperer, workplace woes, helpful letters, a profound promise, and a gentle God.

Letters of Comfort is available from Amazon*.  The first book in The Friendship Letters series is Letters of Trust.  The third book in The Friendship Letters series is Letters of Wisdom which  will be out on March 1, 2023.  You can find Wanda E. Brunstetter's other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  The Heart's Bidding by Kelly Irvin, A Deadly Dedication by Margaret Loudon, and A Troubling Tail by Laurie Cass are three other books that came out today. I will return tomorrow with my thoughts on A Deadly Dedication by Margaret Loudon.  It is the fourth book in The Open Book Mysteries.  I hope that you have a peaceful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Letters of Trust by Wanda E. Brunstetter

 Letters of Trust

Book Summary

Friendship Letters Series — Doretta Schwartz has always enjoyed writing letters and feels her letters can be a bit of a ministry to her friends. In this series, exchanging letters that contain open and honest feeling and struggles helps Doretta and two of her best friends through the darkest challenges of their lives.

A Simple Letter Carries Inspiration for Healing

Life is good on their Pennsylvania Amish farm for newlyweds Vic and Eleanor Lapp—until the day Vic’s youngest brother drowns in their pond and Vic turns to alcohol to numb the pain. Things get so bad that Vic loses his job, and their marriage is coming apart. Eleanor is desperate to help her husband and writes letters to her friend, Doretta, living in Indiana for advice. The trust Eleanor places in her friend and the gentle words she receives in return are a balm for even darker days to come in this first book of The Friendship Letters series by New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter. 

My Thoughts

Letters of Trust by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the beginning of The Friendship Letters.  Letters of Trust is different from other Amish books that I have read.  It delves into the topic of alcolhism and how it affects a person’s life as well as those close to him.  I thought the story was well-written with realistic, developed characters.  I enjoyed getting to know Eleanor and Vic Lapp as well as their family and friends.  I admired Eleanor’s fortitude and her deep faith.  She prayed often for assistance in dealing with her troubled, grief-stricken husband.  The story is one that will tug at your heartstrings.  It is wonderful to see how family and friends come together during the good times and the bad.  Eleanor may have been reluctant to air her dirty laundry, but she had people to turn to when she needed guidance.  

I enjoyed the correspondence between Eleanor and her friend, Doretta.  I like how Eleanor created cards. She went out of her way to make them special.  It is a shame that letter writing is becoming a thing of the past.  Faith is beautifully woven into the story.  Eleanor will need her family, friends, and faith to get through this dark time.  We get to see that God is always with us.  We may not understand His ways nor what He is trying to teach us, but the challenging situations will make us stronger and wiser.  I found Letters of Trust to be a compelling, emotional tale.  I am looking forward to reading the next book in The Friendship Letters.  Letters of Trust is a poignant tale with contented newlyweds, a dynamic dog, a deleterious driver, a devastating death, destructive deeds, and profound prayers.  

Letters of Trust is available from Amazon*.  The next book in The Friendship Letters if Letters of Comfort which will be out on August 1.  Wanda E. Brunstetter has One Pan Wonders coming out May 1.  You can find Wanda E. Brunstetter's other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with my thoughts on Primer and Punishment by Diane Kelly.  It is the fifth A House-Flipper Mystery.   I hope that you have a joyful day.  I am off to organize our storage area.  I want to get it neat before the hot weather moves in permanently (the scorching hot weather wll soon be here for good in Florida).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.