Review: The Sugarcreek Surprise
Today I’m reviewing The Sugarcreek Surprise, an Amish romance novel by Wanda E. Brunstetter. It is Volume 2 in the Creektown Discoveries series.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher as part of JustRead publicity tours. This post includes Amazon affiliate links.
My Review
The Sugarcreek Surprise is a sweet story about a 25-year-old schoolteacher who lives with her grandparents. I especially enjoyed the dog in the story and the glimpse into the Amish lifestyle. I also liked the antique store that was central to the story and the natural errands that kept taking the characters back to it, especially since an antique store isn’t a place a person would normally just stop by on a regular basis.
While I have read a few Amish romance novels in the past, this isn’t my favorite genre. In this book I noticed it was the sprinkling of Pennsylvania Dutch words throughout that jarred me out of the story. It’s not that I don’t know what they mean (some I do, some I don’t), but that they are almost always (unnecessarily) interpreted in the next sentence. Also, sometimes those words are in italics and sometimes not. That disrupted the flow for me so I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I might have otherwise. If that wouldn’t bother you and you like Amish stories, I encourage you to give this book a try.
From the Publisher
Welcome to Sugarcreek, Ohio, where the Amish schoolteacher has a determined admirer. Tragically losing her parents as a child, Lisa Miller has grown up being afraid of loving and losing. She dedicates herself to teaching at an Amish schoolhouse and helping the grandparents who raised her, all the while avoiding the advances of newcomer Paul Herchberger. Paul enjoys antiques and meets Orley Troyer while looking for unique old milk bottles at yard sales. Orley and his wife offer prayers and advice as Paul tries to reach Lisa’s closed heart. But when secrets are revealed, will Lisa use them as an excuse to close herself off again?
About the Author
New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written more than 100 books translated in four languages. With over 11 million copies sold, Wanda’s stories consistently earn spots on the nation’s most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.
Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.
When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.
Giveaway
4 Comments
Anne
Captivating, heartwarming and memorable story.
Rita Wray
Sounds like a book I will enjoy reading.
JustRead Tours
Thank you for sharing!
Shelly Peterson
This sounds like a good read.