This was one book that took me through a range of emotions. Sometimes it is hard to forgive the past hurts and sometimes those past hurts manifest into hurting others. Asking for forgiveness heals all hurts.

I enjoyed that this story was told also through the letters written between the various characters, I feel that added depth to the story as letters can be very private. This was a little of an emotional story, in that it deals with abuse from a parental figure and how that had affected Irma as she grew up and then was raising her own children. Knowing she wanted to be a better parent than her own mother was, Irma struggles with handling the children, house work and outside work when her husband is gone auctioneering. Trying to always think of the good in her life, and all her husband has done for her she still struggles with the overwhelming duties she has taken on and how she was raised. This story although deals with some hard topics, was well written and opens up room for discussions about these things and sometimes how hard they can be to talk about with those we love but that it is ok to ask for help when we need it. Thank you to the author and Barbour Publishing for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord. I am looking forward to seeking out the other letter books in this series.

One thing we have lost is the healing and words of a written letter. Bringing not only news from afar, a letter can give wisdom, love and understanding in its sentences. Letters of Wisdom is the third book in The Friendship Letters series. Doretta Schwartz loves letter writing and often uses them as a ministry for her friends. Helping them through some dark times and some rejoicing events, Doretta vows to be on the other end all of the time. Irma Miller thought that getting married and having a family would heal all of her wounds. When she realizes that she is mirroring her past, she turns to Doretta for wisdom. However, after reaching the darkest time of her life, will Irma find the help she needs to heal or will it be too late? This is a story of forgiveness, redemption and love. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

Letters of Wisdom by the gifted storyteller Wanda Brunstetter, is book three in her Friendship Letters series. This is a contemporary Christian Amish series that tackles series issues that everyone, not just Amish, might face. This book was the most intense.

Irma Lapp’s story is told in this captivating novel. Her story of physical and emotional abuse was often difficult to read, but it was true to life. The characters were skillfully crafted. They were believable and made the story come to life. This story is one of repeated behavior, forgiveness, and second chances. It pulls on your heartstrings.

I was totally invested in Irma’s story and at times wished I could hug her. Through the deft pen of the author, my emotions soared and plummeted with the characters’. This tale is full of surprises and kept me turning pages well into the early morning hours. I was fascinated with this poignant story.

After the story ends, there are author notes, recipe, and discussion questions. I highly recommend this riveting Amish novel. It would make a great book club choice. Even though it is book three in the series, it could easily be read and understood as a stand alone. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by the publisher but these are my honest words.

This third book in the "friendship letters" series of Amish fiction ties together the lives of three Amish women. Friends as children, they now have gone their own ways as adults and stay in touch through a series of letters. These letters are a key part of the story, but do not form the main body of the novel. Common characters appear in these novels, but they can all be read as standalones.

In this novel, Irma finds difficulty coping with her active children, her husband's busy job that takes him away from home, and her tragic childhood past of physical and emotional abuse by her stepfather. She hopes that attending her stepfather's funeral will allow her to put these memories to rest. Irma's mother would like to re-establish her relationship with Irma, but things between them continue to be strained and Irma is unyielding. As Irma sinks into despair and continuing inability to cope with her life, she finds it harder and harder to deal with her children in a calm and positive way. Hopefully Irma will decide to seek help before things spiral out of control.

This is a work of Christian fiction, written by an experienced author in the genre. Themes include motherhood and marriage, physical and emotional abuse, family, and depression. The author addresses sensitive topics in a professional manner, and shows the Amish in a realistic way instead of "sugar coating" their culture and way of life.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

One of my favorite authors in this genre. I really liked how she covered the topiic of the cycle of abuse. Even in a peaceful Amish community people can be touched by this issue.

What an emotional read! This tackles a tough subject, but the author handles it beautifully. It' a heartbreaking story yet it is still full of hope and joy. I highly recommend this book! This book deserves more than 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wanda Brunstetter never disappoints! This book was unexpected in the subject matter (trigger and spoiler warning: domestic violence), but handled it wonderfully. This story shows that the cycle can be broken. It also shows how important faith-based therapy is, especially for communities that normally wouldn’t embrace such things. This book also shows that even the most broken of familial relationships can be healed. #netgalley #thewisdomletters

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read Wanda Brunstetter's Letters of Wisdom, Book three in the Friendship Letters series will give you a lot to think about, but also a ton of joy and hope as well. In the story, Irma is a mom of three and feeling rather stressed out and on edge. As a former victim of child abuse, she has some issues with letting the past go and moving on from the hurts she felt. When her stepfather dies, she believes she may be able to finally let go of the hurt. However, it seems to be bubbling up more and more now. With help from her family and letters from her friend Doretta, will Irma be able to move forward? Even though it touches on the topic of child abuse and forgiveness, the story is done so with grace and compassion. I am thankful for the author's willingness to discuss the hard things with a Biblical touch. You won't want to miss this great story!

Letters of Wisdom is Brunstetter's third book in the Friendship Letters series, and it was a difficult read for me, as it tackles the tough topics of both child abuse and spousal abuse.

When Irma's stepfather dies, and she and her husband go to Montana to attend his funeral, Irma thinks that she'll be able to put her past and his abuse of her to rest, but that is not to be. After they come home from the funeral, Irma's children become more and more irritating to her, and she finds herself yelling at them and punishing them in anger. Will Irma listen to the advice her friend Doretta gives her and seek professional help?

Thanks to #NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an advanced e pub of this book. All opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

#LettersofWisdom #NetGalley

Have you ever had a secret from your past that you felt you couldn't share it with anyone? Not even your husband or your two closest friends. Doretta has such a secret. She thought once she was married, and she and her wonderful husband moved far away from her stepdad that the hurt, pain and shame would go away. Why did her mother marry such an awful man? He treated Doretta harshly and dealt with each of her infractions very harshly while her mother stood by silently. However, he did not treat his own flesh and blood children that way. Doretta never understood. She has cut off ties, pretty much, with her mother and even her half-sisters.
When she got a message from her mother that her step-father had suddenly died, Doretta was relieved and not saddened one bit. She thought that things would be better for her now that he was gone from this earth. She and her husband made the long journey back for her funeral as she felt that would put things to rest for her emotionally. But, she was ever so wrong.
Doretta now has two young children and feels herself somewhat out of control with her anger towards them. She wishes her auctioneer husband were home more. Now, she realizes she is pregnant yet again. What is she going to do? She is afraid the younger children will tell their father about her losing her temper. They had agreed to never dole out punishment to the children when they were angry with them. To wait until they were calm. Doretta is not doing this. She is punishing out of anger and saying horrible things to her young children.
The children have became scared of her. As with secrets, this one came to light. You'll have to read this book if you wish to know how this story ends.
I have long been a fan of Wanda E. Brunstetter, but this one felt choppy for me. I did love the story and the ending.
I was given an advanced ecopy by the publisher, Barbour Fiction through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

Once again Wanda Brunstetter tackles a difficult subject with the utmost tact and sympathetic understanding. Irma Miller, abused by her stepfather as a child now finds herself afraid she is continuing the same tendencies with her own children. Irma's husband LaVern is concerned as well and tries to get his wife to seek the help she needs. However, before Irma will do this, she must first find the strength to admit to herself that she does in fact need help.
Irma's friend Doretta, an old friend from prior book in this series writes letters of encouragement to Irma once Irma chooses to confide in her friend. Doretta and LaVern's encouragement finally get through to Irma who seeks help for her situation. What Irma doesn't expect is the forgiveness she realizes she must offer to her mother for the part she played in the abuse when not stopping her husband from his cruel treatment of her daughter.
Sometimes hard to read, often heartfelt and very emotional throughout, Letters of Wisdom is a worthwhile read. Learn about Amish culture and tradition as you get to know these characters, and perhaps find your own faith strengthened through their trials and battles to overcome them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review

I love Wanda Brunstetter's books. When I obtained the book I deliberately read slowly because I knew that it would be done in a flash and I wanted to savor every word. I loved reading about all that baking that the female characters were doing and wish they were baking for me! The topic of the story is child abuse, both physical and emotional. The author stated at the end of the story that she was a victim of child abuse as was her husband. I did not see that coming. She seems so well adjusted because she pumps out multiple books each year.

As for our main character Irma, she suffered severe physical and emotional abuse from her stepfather and she began behaving the same way toward her own children. She was not aware that abuse can be handed down the generations if the victims don't receive counseling. As the story continued, Irma became more and more abusive to her kids. I could tell that this was where the story was going and that the author was going to be sympathetic to her. However, I felt that her kids were brats just as she accused them of being. They never did what they were told and even caused accidents among themselves.

The letters between Irma and her friends Doretta and Eleanor are a source of healing for her. They address her current struggles and past traumas. The Scripture references given to her were spot on.

This book was a pleasant surprise. While it isn't the sunshiney, completely happy-go-lucky story that is often found in the Amish fiction genre, it is a powerful story that deals with sensitive but important topics. I enjoyed reading through the plot and seeing how Irma's friends and relatives sought to help and comfort her - LaVern and Doretta were especially kind. Irma's growth as a character was admirable. Abuse is not a light subject and some parts of this book were difficult to read, but as someone who has experienced abuse as Irma did, I was happy to find a story and an author who understands and who provides the hope of healing through God.

I have long been a fan of Wanda Brunstetter's books. When I began this book, I was somewhat taken aback because of the storyline. It took me several nights of reading to really get in to the book, but once I did, I was certainly glad I did. This book deals with family abuse at the hands of one of Irma's parents and the memories and characteristics she carries as a result of it.

Irma Miller's father passed away when she was a young child and her mother consequently remarried. When she remarried, she had additional children with her new husband. Irma became the brunt of his abuse and as a result she carried those memories into her own marriage and family. She wrote about this abuse to her friends, Doretta, who became a prayer warrior for her. When some of those abusive characteristics start to take form in Irma's own child-rearing, her husband, LaVern becomes concerned. Her letters to her friend, Doretta, also cause alarm . Through the trials and consequences in dealing with her own family life, Irma has to come to terms with her past abuse. She also has to mend fences with her mother and siblings before she can move on.

I was given a review copy of this book through NetGalley. I am thankful to the author and the publisher, Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read this. I would definitely recommend others read this, especially anyone who has dealt with abuse or has family members who have been in an abusive situation.

This book ripped my heart up and put it back together. I love Wanda Brunstetter’s books and this one did not disappoint.
This is the third book in The Friendship Letters series. Each book deals with a serious topic. Irma Miller was abused as a child and she finds herself continuing the abuse as a mom herself. She leans on her friends and their letters to deal with her trauma so she can become a better mother. As a working mom myself, it is very easy to lose patience with your children.
Many thanks to the author, Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

If I could only read one book this year I would want it to be this one! The main topic was something most people aren’t comfortable talking about. Wanda Brunstetter has written a heart felt story about physical and emotional abuse to a young Amish girl by the hand of her step father. What made it worse was that it seemed her mother had stood by watching as the abuse went on and on. Not intervening on her daughter’s behalf. The child grew up, married and left home with bitterness and unforgiving thoughts towards her mother and step father, hidden in her heart. The years went by and the woman was unable to forget her past and go on with her life. Then she begin to abuse her own children and even though she didn’t want to she couldn’t seem to control her anger issues. Her friends prayed for her and tried to give her helpful advice but she still refused to forgive her mother even after her stepfather died.
I thought the book was very well written and very realistic. It was emotional and I thought the story was very meaningful. I was completely drawn into the book from the beginning. It was a page turner and it held my interest till the end of the book.
I recommend Letters of Wisdom to readers of Christian Fiction, Amish Fiction, Women’s Fiction and to fans of the Author. This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
#LettersofWisdom #NetGalley

Another 5 star read! This series just keeps getting better and better. Tackeling some very intense issues. It started out with 2 friends keeping in touch with each other to sharing the reality of a not so perfect life. Although it may cause some triggers these issues are dealt with in a very thoughtful way. This book deals with physical abuse and the stigma that surrounds it. Relationships are broken and some will not be restored. It shows how faith in God will heal the hurts and help forgiving the people that hurt you.

Mount Hope, Ohio - Irma Miller struggles with her children and taking care of her home since her auctioneer husband is gone a lot. When her stepfather passes away, memories of childhood verbal and physical abuse come to the front of her mind, even though time and distance has kept her separated from her mother and stepfather for years. People that care for Irma, especially her children are noticing a change in Irma but aren't sure how to help. When the children begin to shy away from their mother & her circle of friends have no choice but to confront Irma, she is faced with her thoughts and emotions. Follow her path to forgiveness and healing in Book 3, Friendship Letters - Letters of Wisdom by Wanda E. Brunstetter. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Another wonderful and different Amish novel

I enjoy Ms Brunstetter's books and have read most of them. However, I think this series is the best of her work, especially the latest, "Letters of Wisdom". Although a series, I think each of these books can be read as a stand-alone without losing the context. This is an Amish novel about friendship and romance, which addresses in a very sensitive manner, the issue of spouse and child abuse. You will smile but you will also cry and cringe. Highly recommended.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.