The Brides of Lancaster County

Brides of Lancaster County #1-4

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Despite their horse-and-buggy pace in a high-speed world, when it comes to romance, the Amish find their hearts racing at top speed. Follow four young women as they explore thei places in the world—while finding love in the process.

Genres: Amish, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Christian Romance, Amish Fiction, Romance

1154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

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 close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nations 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.

Reviews

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on the kindle

I got this as a 4-1 book series & each book is about a possible want to be bride

This does go over a generation in that some of the people in one book it their children in the 3rd & 4th book

I enjoyed the book & i had read this omnibus version in book format some years ago

[Staci Kinman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this collection of novels, all about Lancaster brides! Each story is unique, follows its own story line, and is a stand-alone novel; however, they do build upon one another generationally. It's neat to hear about the next generation as we get to know the characters and the family members in the book(s). You may have seen these stories as separate novels. It was re-released as a compilation of all 4 in the series, as this book. I love having them all together, because when I was finished with one story, I could immediately begin the next one. I read this book while I was on vacation in the mountains, and it was perfect! Plenty long to last the whole week, and the feel-good endings always lifted my spirits. I love Wanda Brunstetter's novels, and this book is just as wonderful as all of her other books! My friend found it for me in a "little free library", and I couldn't believe I hadn't read it yet. I'm so glad she stumbled across it, because it was a perfect summertime read! I highly recommend it!

[Sarah Arnold]

This is a four in one book. "The Brides of Lancaster County" tells of Miriam Stolyfus, Rebecca Stolzfus, Laura Meade, and Rachel Beachy. They are the main characters for each of the four stories. I also love how each story interacts with one another. Miriam tries hard to resist Amos. Rebecca tries hard to resist love because of the fact she sits in a wheelchair. Laura loves Eli Yoder. Will she give up the fancy life? Rachel loves Silas. But she is not her big sister Anna........ Will things change? Each lady learns to trust God. " For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth." Psalm 71:5

[Mary Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Wanda’s earlier series I read. Four stories of young Amish women and their struggles. Merry Heart is about finding new love after her first love ended terribly. Looking for a Miracle is about an Amish woman confined to a wheelchair who tries to find and fit in her place in her community.Plain and Fancy is about an Englisher who comes to Lancaster County and falls in love with an Amish man. What life will she choose? The Hope Chest tells the story of an Amish woman trying to find her dreams and a new love to become a Lancaster bride.

[Denver Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thing that drew me to this book was the fact that it covered two generations of very close friends. The one thing I didn’t like about the book was the bumpkinish speech patterns that Brunstetter used for these old order, Amish. I have not been around enough old order Amish to know for certain, but I have been around a great mini Amish that are very intelligent and speak great English. These characters in her book, not so much.

[Genice Fisher]

Brides of Lancaster County are 4 separate books that are based in Pennsylvania and tell the story of 4 young Amish women searching for for their true love. The books are related to each other and follow story lines from previous books. She if each bride finds her true love and the struggles she has finding her true love. A great series to read.

[Patricia Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A variety of stories

This book is 4 stories of brides but it inc!udes the same characters and develops the families. Remember the families as you read.

[Pleunig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Same story different player over and over. Did not finish.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this combo book. It certainly is thick. Lol. It's okay. I enjoyed each of the stories.

[Gail Sattazahn]

all very good books

[Rhonda Thomasson]

Even though it was a novel (1147 pages) I thoroughly enjoyed the read. 4 different stories of faith, hope, love, forgiveness and the power of prayer and belief in God.
A wonderful read!

[KP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally like and enjoy Wanda Brunstetter books, but couldn’t quite get into this one. Still enjoyable, though.

[Paula Dyches · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading the Amish books. The books make me feel closer to the Lord

[Fredell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the 4 novels that made up this book. They opened a door to understanding the Amish peoples of the US - both Old Order and New Order. There are many differences in the two, but Brunstetter does not exploit the differences between the Englischers or 'fancy' folks and the Amish or Plain folks. The four novels are separate entities, but do make up the continuing story of several families and their interactions with each other, their church community(ies) and their non-Amish neighbors and friends.
She compares and contrasts without making judgements. In this way she is emulating her characters to an extent. The Amish are devoted to God and to obeying his commandments as well as the "ordnung" of the church. They live and love, laugh and cry, grow and change, just like the rest of the world. But they appear to be much more aware of their surroundings and the will of God than those of us who practice modern life, the technical and automated way of life.
The Amish accept the Englischers and interact with them in various ways, selling their wares and produce, but eschew our worldly ways.
In one of the novels, "Plain and Fancy", Brunstetter explores the trials and tribulations of Laura, a fancy woman, when she decides to become Plain in order to marry the man that she loves.
In the last of the four novels, "The Hope Chest", Brunstetter examines the family dynamic when one of the daughters leaves the community to marry her love - an Amish-born but unbaptized man who wishes to adopt the 'fancy' life - especially his bright red pick-up truck and his TV programs. It is a touching and poignant story with which to end the BRIDES OF LANCASTER COUNTY compilations.

[Lesli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should have wrote this review sooner, all the details of these four books mushed together. I think I liked the first one a lot, wasn't as excited about the second one, but maybe that is backwards. I quite enjoyed the third, while losing interest in the Amish way of life. Maybe children who don't make noise in public isn't worth not being about to question my parents' and in laws' authority as an adult. I'm grateful to be apart of a religion that believes in being in the world but not of the world. Although I'm not knocking anyone else's. By the fourth book, I grew past Brunstetter's novels. Yes it took 10 of her novels for me to decided I had had enjoyed enough of her predictable romance novels. Also these books were less congruent. Almost a generation past between each book, but yet in the first book, a reporter takes a picture with a digital camera.

[Sarah Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains the fours stories of A Merry Heart, Looking for a Miracle, Plain and Fancy, and The Hope Chest all in one. In A Merry Heart, Miriam Stolzfus is twenty-six... will she every find true love? Rebecca Stolzfus has an accident and ends up in a wheelchair in the book Looking For a Miracle. She finally realizes that God is truly a God of miracles. In Plain and Fancy, Laura Meade comes to town. She falls in love with Eli Yoder. Will she chose the Amish lifestyle or return to the English world? With The Hope Chest, Rachel Beachy wants love......will she find it and with the right person? Wanda Brunstetter has a talent from God with writing. This book does not fail.

[Mary Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the first series of Wanda’s that I read. There are four stories about young Amish women and their struggles to become Lancaster Brides. Merry Heart is about finding new love after being left by a long relationship. Looking for a Miracle is about an Amish woman confined to a wheelchair who is trying to fit in her Amish community. Plain and Fancy is about an Englisher who comes to Lancaster County and falls in love with an Amish man. Which style of life will she choose? The Hope Chest is about forbidden love so she tries to find her dreams for another love and to become a Lancaster bride.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://breesabookworm.blogspot.com/

I loved all these books (maybe not the third so much) and got a lot out of them. I enjoyed learning more about the Amish culture as well. Some of the things made me mad, or annoyed. And some of the things made me cry. But mostly I couldn't put the books down, and was really glad that I read them! I also enjoy how they are all intertwined and when you read through the books you get updates about previous characters throughout. This author is not afraid of writing about tragedy. But she always shows how God works things out for the good in the end.

[Rani Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading each of the stories in this book. My only criticism would be that once the writer has decided that it is time for the story to end, she just puts in one quick Come-to-Jesus moment, wraps up the loose ends in a few paragraphs, and then it's over.

I will be reading more books by this author, though, because they are very enjoyable.

[Kymberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this book. almost done. I've learned alot about the Amish and alot about my self...

I really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot about the Amish culture and was encouraged in my own walk with Christ.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading about the Amish life. This was really 4 books in one, and I really liked how each story intertwined the characters from other stories, so that you were able to hear about "their" life too!

[Lalonnia Gatewood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. All the books I have read by Wanda shows the reader how to walk by faith, to trust in the Lord. Just remember while reading her Amish stories, not all account of their life is accurate. Have a blessed day!

[Noemi Goodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading Wanda E Brunstetter books I have finished reading the Brides of Lancaster County series. I like that its so inspirational and I can relate to the pain and suffering and joys of the characters in the book and it helps me see the good things in my life.

[Lois Sittu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Brides of Lancaster County by Wanda E Brunstetter contains four different complete Romance novels. Reading one novel after another you realize that there is a continuation of characters as the stories continue. There was a lot of repetition that could have been edited out of the book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four great stories, that span 4 generations of one family. A definite must read.

[Linae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful trilogy by Wanda!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting subject line about life among the Amish, and the writing is geared to the early teen set without violence, sex, or raunchy material.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy read. I loved all 4 books and love Wanda brunstetter!!!!. I learned that God is always with us through bitterness, lose and much more.

[Cws]

JF-YABru

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Amish fiction because of how community-oriented they are; these novels are great.