The Pretender Mifflin Cointy Mystery Book #3 by Wanda Brunstetter

Luke 8:17 Esv. "For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light."

Back about 15-18 years ago I fell in love with Amish fiction.   Authors such as:  Beverly Lewis, Wanda Brunstetter, Marta Perry, and Amy Clipston drew me in with simple stories of faith, family, love, and forgiveness.   Busy as a young mom with 4 kids,  I loved reading about young Amish women and their faith journey, with some romance sprinkled in.  I loved that faith, family, and forgiveness were woven into the fabric of their every day life.  These books, and the struggles the characters faith,  helped me in my own journey to see that all are humans, all struggles with sin, and we all need a savior.  I began to see, that even the simplicity of their life did not guarantee happiness.   I have learned that families, just like people are not perfect, and through God's grace we are being molded and shaped and refined to be more like Christ.  As a mom, I learned the importance of admitting my mistakes, asking forgiveness, but most importantly loving my children unconditionally.   I still love a great Amish Fiction romance, and the lessons that can be gained from reading these simple, faith-filled stories; but I know that what is more important is how I am living my daily life and the relationships withing my own family and friends.

The Pretender, tells the story of Rosa Petersheim (fans have been eagerly awaiting to find out her story from previous books in the series).  Rosa, the Petersheim's long-lost prodigal daughter finds herself unmarried and pregnant.  Having left home 2 years ago to escape her strict, Amish Father (bishop of their Amish distict) she is scared to go home and be turned away.  With no where else to go, and no other options she returns home with co-worker Anthony Reeves who agrees to be her "pretend" husband until they can fake a breakup.   Rosa, who has not spoken to her family in the time she has been gone, comes home to a a mother who is ready to welcome her back and an angry, seemingly unforgiving father.   It is soon brought to light that her younger sister, Susan, had lied and hid and threw away letters Rosa had sent to her parents out of extreme sibling jealousy.   Readers will eagerly turn the pages as they can't wait to see how things will work out for all the characters.

This book illustrateshow true conviction of sin and godly sorrow leads to confession and repentance, as each character has their own shortcomings to face.  Young Anthony, will see how God is always working and pursuing us; Susan will see that all truth will come to light; and Rosa will learn what true repentance is.  

Redemption, grace, and forgiveness are themes throughout scripture.  Wanda gives her readers a glimpse of this as readers journey with Rosa and Anthony on their path to restoration with their heavenly Father.  For me, while I loved this book and the characters, I was hoping for a bit more depth with the characters especially Rosa's father and sister.   

Simba gives this book 3 paws.

Received an advanced copy thanks to Netgalley and Barbour Publishing to read and give and honest review.   This book will be available August 1, 2025 for purchase.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Christmas Keepsake By: Annie Rains

Received copy from Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) to read for an honest review "Precious memories, how they linger How they ever flood my soul"  (Precious Memories Lyrics @Emibaapril Music Inc.   Songwriters Dp/Johnnie Robert Wright) As a first time mother, amd lover of all things Christmas, I was so excited to pick out that all important baby's first Christmas ornament.  It had to be the best,  so of course, off to the local Hallmark store we went.  I will always remember that little train with a bear that says baby's first Christmas.  And of course, it came as part of a set for the next couple of years (Which we proudly collected).  Twenty-five years qnd four kids later, we still make the annual trip to the store for that perfect keepsake ornament.  We have collected Disney princesses, Harry Potter, Superheroes, Charlie Brown, and many more.  All showing likes or what was important that year.  But for this mama's...
Read more

"Sometimes you Stay" by Liz Johnson: A Red Door Inn Romance

Psalm 32:7. "You are my hiding place, you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. " A small child growing up with trauma (physical, psychological, emotional abuse or neglect) is so hard for us to process.  For the child, there are scars they will carry throughout life.  Many times those cars will be picked over and bleed a bit more til they scab over again.  Many times we question and ask where God was in the midst of all this and why did He allow this to happen?  The people who are supposed to love and protect this innocent child, are the ones hurting him causing great pain.  I am no theologian and I do not understand the why, and I sincerely believe we won't understand it this side of heaven.  As a victim of childhood trauma, I can tell you that looking back, I see God's hand and protection throughout my childhood.  These painful experiences have made me who I am today, and God has used them to help me reach out to chi...
Read more

Getting Started

Growing up as an only child,  with older parents,  made for a very lonely childhood.  Books became my best friend.   My parents were always afraid to let me be play outside, and there were not many kids My age to look forward to.   Weekly, or sometimes bi-weekly trips, to the local library became the highlight of my days.   I would come home with stacks of books that would allow me to escape into a world filled with possibilities.  From the Babysitters Club, to Ramona and Beezus,  Mary Lenox in the Secret Garden, and Fern in Charlotte's web, I would lose myself for hours in a world where I felt safe and confident.   These characters became some of my closest "friends" and helped me to escape from a lonely and isolated childhood.   I was a fast reader and devoured so many books, I couldn't begin to name them all.   As an adult, I still love to read and find myself identifying with characters in my novels...
Read more