Lydia's Charm by Wanda E. Brunstetter

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Lydia's Charm Barbour Books (September 1, 2010) by Wanda E. Brunstetter



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Note From Wanda:



Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be a writer. When I was in the second grade, I wrote my first poem about a moth. Luckily, I received encouragement from my teacher. During my teen years, I wrote skits that my church teen group performed during special holidays.



It wasn’t until 1980, that I took a course on writing for children and teenagers. I became serious about a career as an author. Soon after that, I began to write stories, articles, poems, and devotionals, which appeared in a variety of Christian publications. Later, I had 5 books of puppet/ventriloquist scripts published. *These books are currently available by contacting me. (wanda@wandabrunstetter.com)



My first novel was released by Barbour Publishing’s book club, Heartsong Presents, in Dec. 1997. I have now written nearly fifty books, with over 4 million books in print. Many of the novels I've written are Amish-themed.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Widowed and jobless, Lydia King moves her son and herself to Charm, Ohio, to be close to her mother and help with her grandfather. Menno Troyer, a furniture store owner, is also recently widowed and the father of four energetic boys.



Levi Stutzman, another newcomer to the area, is the only one in his family not handicapped by dwarfism and has dedicated his life to caring for them. As fall colors the countryside, will anonymous gifts left for Lydia bring her hope for a new life and romance, or will another tragedy flood her with infinite despair?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Lydia's Charm, go HERE.


My Thoughts:
This is a very traditional Amish story in many ways, but it takes a very realistic look at the problems women in this particular society face when they become widowed and are left to care for family and children. When Lydia is forced to move to Charm, Ohio to live with her mom and grandfather, she has a lot of doubts that she has made the right decision. Circumstances grow dark indeed, and Lydia's faith is shaken to the core when she has to face the future alone.

However, God has been making a way, and Lydia must trust His plan, even though she doesn't understand. What looks like an obvious answer turns out to be only one step toward a more fulfilling future.

Fans of Amish stories will find much to love in this book, and Lydia's trials will serve as a poignant reminder that God does indeed work ALL things for our good and His glory.


Watch the book trailer: