Wanda Brunstetter is a very good writer, but this story just did not hold my attention for very long. I lost interest in it quickly. This is the third book in the Friendship Letters Series. As these two gals write back and forth, we go through the same feelings of knowing hardships and trials can get us down. It helps to be able to confide openly with a friend, even if that friendship is far apart in miles. As you go through this book, you will see that there just might be something deeper that is causing a hardship. We all hold secrets from even our best friend. Is the same thing happening here?

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from NetGalley for my honest review.

Letters of Wisdom becomes available for sale March 1, 2024.

This story reminds the reader that abuse can come in different ways. Physical and mental abuse can cause sadness and heartache. The author shares the path that friends take when dealing with daily life and handling their issues from the past. Good story. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

Letters Of Wisdom by Wanda E. Brunstetter
(Friendship Letters, 3)
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?
This is Irma Miller and family's story.
This is Doretta Schwartz and family's story.
This is Eleanor Lapp and family's story.
Irma shook her head slowly and kept walking until she came to the wooden bench she’d placed under a shady maple tree at the first sign o
f spring. Eager to read the letter she’d received from her friend Doretta Lengacher, she placed the rest of the mail on the bench besideAfter putting her two-year-old daughter, Myra, down for a nap, Irma Miller grabbed the mail and went outside. There, she found her middle child, Clayton, crouched in one of the flower beds with a bunch of rocks he’d piled into a mound. her, ripped the envelope open, and started reading:
Dear Irma,
I hope this note finds you well and enjoying some lovely spring weather. It’s been beautiful here in Grabill, and I love spending time in the yard. The feeders are full, and there are birds aplenty. Yesterday, I spotted two Eastern bluebirds eating at one of the feeders. Although they’re fairly common here in Indiana, I always enjoy seeing the beautiful blue feathers that cover most of their little bodies. The cardinals are out too, and I love the remarkably vibrant red color of the males and the red crests above their heads. Remember how you, Eleanor, and I used to play at Riverside Park? You two used to tease me because I was always pointing out pretty or unusual birds. I’m still doing that as an adult, telling anyone who’ll listen.
I recommend this book.
Letters Of Wisdom by Wanda E. Brunstetter is a 4 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Wanda E. Brunstetter.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I have enjoyed reading Wanda E Brunstetter's Frienship Letters series and was excited to have my hands on the third installlment, Letters of Wisdom. It is by far my favorite of the series. Highly recommended. Five stars.

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.

This is the third book in the series and I love each book. This is the story of Irma Miller and her friend Doretta who sends letters of wisdom to her friend Irma who struggles with memories of abuse from her stepfather. After her stepfather dies it brings back all the abuse she had hidden away. I loved the characters and the story of abuse it is a beautiful story of breaking the cycle of abuse. To forgive and move on.

The third book in the Friendship Letters reveals Irma's story as she deals with anger issues. When Irma's abusive stepfather dies, she fights to control her own abuse of her children. The author does a great job showing the importance of getting counseling and forgiveness. Recommended.

I just had the privilege to read Letters of Wisdom. It was a wonderful relaxing book. I don't remember reading the first 2 in the series so I will. It is a great stand alone. Thank you for the privilege to read a ARC of this book

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

Just finished this book last evening and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The book talks about emotional and physical abuse, and Hoe it affects not just the abuser but the whole family.

Often, abuse is viewed as shameful, and the abused individual feels as if they are to blame. They fear additional abuse if they speak out and as if they will not be believed.

The author did a great job, and I felt compassion for Irma and her mother.

As a child of abuse, the story hit.home for me.

Highly recommend.

This story centers around Irma and LaVern. Irma was abused physically and verbally by her step dad growing up. Her mom didn't stand up for her daughter because her husband also abused her. Her daughter, Irma, didn't know this. The lasting effects of the abuse carried over into Irma's adulthood. She resented her mom and step dad. When her step dad dies unexpectedly and her and her family goes back home for the funeral, it all comes to the surface again. Irma starts abusing her three children physically and verbally. When her husband finds out, he insists she get help and won't allow her to be by herself with the children. Then Irma finds out she is pregnant with her 4th child, which puts additional stress on her. With counseling from a Christian counselor, Irma is able to forgive her mom, her step dad and herself and become the mother she longs to be. This is a really good story about love, family, forgiveness and second chances. I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

Letters of Wisdom is a very powerful story that deals with abusive relationships. It is sad reality that abuse often continues from one generation to another until someone is strong enough to great the chain. Irma realizes how abusive her step-father was to her but she doesn’t realize how his actions affected the others in the family. Will she break the chain or treat her own children in an abusive manner?
This book is really well written without judgements against those who may be deemed the abuser. The main themes are love and forgiveness.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed how these books include letters of encouragement to their friends in whatever they are experiencing. This book was a hard one to read as it dealt with such a serious topic. LaVern was such a caring and compassionate husband. I appreciated how he advocated so well for his wife and children.



Thanks so much to netgalley and Barbour Publishing for the arc. The opinions are my own.

This is a groundbreaking story about how the abuse between families can affect the next generation. Irma, Eleanor and Doretta grew up in the same Amish town until Irma turned 8 and her new stepfather, Homer, moved Irma's family out to Ignatius, Montana.
The girls had continued to write each other about their families, marraige partners and homestead as they got older.
Irma, however, had been physically, mentally and emotionally abused by Homer throughout her childhood, while her mother stood by and did nothing!
Now Irma and her husband have their own family, and Irma and LaVern have Brian, Clayton and Myra to raise and Irma finds herself being over critical and spanking the children and resenting it afterwards.
Then, Homer dies suddenly of a heart attack....

A story of abuse, guilt and forgiveness takes Irma down a long sad path as a young mother. Most of this book is hard to read as Irma is just so bitter but seeing her realize that she needed help made for wonderful end to the book.

The story developed with many different topics, but was hindered by a disjointed start with a multitude of characters and relationships being thrown at the reader. Once these took shape, the story progressed well.

Letters of Wisdom
Friendship Letters #3
by Wanda E. Brunstetter
.
Letters of Wisdom is the third book Of the Friendship Letter series by Wanda Brunstetter.

This book deals with the very sensitive topic of abuse, and how it can effect future generations. I think we sometimes forget that Amish families are not exempt from problems faced by our modern world.

Abuse breeds bitterness, resentment, and Unforgiveness. These issues can eat at a person for many years before they can learn the cause and the best way to handle the situation.

In this story, Irma Miller, her supportive husband, LaVern, and her friend, Doretta Schwartz, work together as Irma learns to cope with this very real problem. The bishop's wife, Shirley and counselor, Mrs. Mayes, are both very important to this story. All characters are well developed and the plot moves along smoothly. It I well written. I can’t say it is an enjoyable read, but truly and Enlightening one.

Thank you Barbour Publishing, for allowing me to read this advanced copy of this book. Publication Date 01 Mar 2024. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to give a positive review.

To be honest the first half of the book seemed to be slow moving, quite repetitive, and negative in nature. I almost didn’t keep reading it but I thought I’d stick it out because I have read books by Brunstetter before and from what I can recall, I had enjoyed them. I believe that the feelings and struggles portrayed by the main character, Irma, are important to address and speak truth about and I think that addressing them through a story like this is a clever way to do that so I do understand why Brunstetter decided to write this and the second half of the book had many good qualities. The storyline of the book does include a lot of talk about abuse, so if that is something you are sensitive to, just be aware. I think that the story was fairly realistic overall and though there were no crazy twists in the story or unexpected happenings, it was a decent read. It did make me evaluate my life for things I do based upon my upbringing (though I was never abused) and helped me to see maybe how I might need to forgive for some of the ways I was parented or saw my siblings parented so I don’t take on those qualities or actions. Overall it was not my favorite story to read due to the slowness of the first part of the book but I am glad that I stuck with it and finished the story.

Beloved author Wanda Brunstetter opens her heart and past experiences with this series of Amish stories based on very serious topics. I deeply appreciate her openness while dealing with trauma she has personally endured in her life. I want to thank Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read the advanced reader's copy of this book. This is my own, unsolicited opinion about the story.
Irma Miller has been slowly sliding into being overwhelmed with three children and her home while her husband works many hours as an auctioneer. Burdened with memories of a traumatic childhood at the hands of her stepfather she has become bitter and emotionally scarred. Sadly, she crosses the line and becomes abusive to her own children which she admits to her friend Doretta Schwartz. Along with their friend Eleanor the three women have written letters to one another for years. Doretta draws on the wisdom of God to share words of encouragement in her letters.
I believe this is truly one of the author's most meaningful set of books in her career. She approaches the daunting subject of child abuse from the victims' point of view along with how one can become the next abuser in the chain. Generational abuse is seen here. I am pleased with how the characters tell the story. LaVern is a supportive husband. The bishop's wife, Shirley and counselor, Mrs. Mayes are two integral characters along with Dorcas, Irma's mother. This book brings solid awareness to several aspects of child and spousal abuse, including anger and self-worth. It also shows a more realistic possibility of life in the Amish faith. No one is perfect.
This is a five-star read for me.

It was a great book! I loved the book! It’s also a book where a mom struggles with love from her mom, an abusive stepfather, and her own children! I definitely would recommend this book!

I know I’m probably in the minority but I just couldn’t get into this book. I’m thinking Amish fiction isn’t my thing. Plus the authors name was inserted into the book a lot and I wasn’t sure what that was about.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. This review is my own.