Join New York Times Bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter along with Jean Brunstetter in Holmes County for the conclusion to the dramatic new 6-part serial novel.
Meet businessman Joel Byler who has gotten himself into a financial bind and his eccentric, wealthy Amish father who is done bailing out his spoiled son. When will Joel learn he most pay for his own mistakes—and at what cost to his business, his fiancée, and his Amish siblings?
The Amish Millionaire -- A 6-Part Serial Novel #1: The English Son -- March 2016 #2: The Stubborn Father -- April 2016 #3: The Betrayed Fiancee -- May 2016 #4: The Missing Will -- June 2016 #5: The Divided Family -- July 2016 #6: The Selfless Act -- August 2016
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.
You get the ending you know is coming, but Joel's turnabout comes in a rush, in about a paragraph, making it somewhat unbelievable. Even Kristi with her reservations takes to the new Joel with more quickness than her character should allow. While I know that such positive changes can happen that quickly, I just couldn't accept how it played out in this story.
Considering the entire Amish Millionaire series, I liked the sisters and the happenings in their lives the most, with the other secondary characters also having interesting personalities. Ultimately Joel's character disinterested me and his storyline fizzled due to monotony and sluggishness.
I was disappointed at the rushed ending. The whole book centred on Joel's relationship with his faith and it he ended up doing a complete 180 in 1-page. I was hoping for something I little more profound then just "he read the bible"...but what can you expect from a flimsy paperback series. Still an entertaining and quick read if you're bored.
Also gotta say, you can have a lack of faith and still be a good person. I understand its around the Amish who are very religious but their pushy characters were annoying at times.
Unbelievable things that happened in this series: 1. Joel bought a classic car by stealing money from his joint bank account with Christy and knew she wouldn’t find out because she doesn’t check the bank account. 2. When Christy and Joel broke up, Christy refused to date Darren because Darren likes hot dogs. 3. Eustice died by being struck by lightning. 4. When Doris finally got pregnant after years of trying, she fell down the stairs and broke a leg and lost the baby. 5. Elsie’s house burned now. 6. No one could receive Eustice’s inheritance from the will until Joel did a selfless act that everyone agreed upon. 7. The selfless act? Joel sold his car and gave $100,000 to each of his sisters. 8. There was a secret passage in the barn (bookcase with hinges like a door) that led to millions of dollars of classic cars. 9. Did Joel pay all of his contractors that needed money all 6 books? I dont know they never told us. 10. Christy and Joel got back together and Christy became an Amish midwife.
I thought this was a good ending to the series! Not perfect or anything...I like Joel a little more now, but only a little lol still not my favorite character ever though :P It was a great last installment in the series, even if I wasn't a huge fan of the first ones :)
Two stars for the judgment Kristi was handing down on Pastor Darin and his love for hot dogs and jokes, and the concession stand at the roller rink. Girl, check your heart!
Joel bought Christmas gifts for his entire life hoping it would be seen as a selfless act & he could then have his inheritance. That didn't work. One day when he was feeling miserable, he took out his Bible & read about people who love money & possessions. It hit a chord for him & he prayed, asking God to forgive him. He then went to each of his sisters & asked for their forgiveness for his selfishness. Realizing Joel was sincere, they forgave him. Joel sold his Corvette & gave each sister $100,000--no strings attached & didn't want to be paid back. Now a Christian, the children were able to receive their inheritance. The sisters got money, Joel got the house, barn, & three acres of his father's. One day a horse kicked in a wall in the barn & Joel saw a door there. He opened it & found several antique cars worth millions.
Kristi went to the farm to give Joel's sister some money & food her church had collected for her family because they'd lost their house in a fire. Joel was there & he asked Kristi's forgiveness for the lies he had told her. His Aunt told Kristi how he had changed. They admitted that they still loved each other. He got down on his knee, proposed to her & she accepted. Heaven help us, people! No one in her right mind would accept a proposal that quickly. Time would tell if he had really turned his life around. Right?
While a fun series to read, many things are unrealistic in this series: the amount of money Joel receives (trying not to give it away) is unrealistic, the decision Kristi makes is a bit rushed given the history...overall the whole book seems rushed to the ending. Novella's are an interesting concept,but way over prices. Brusnstetter's writing style is lost and the series over written.
Finally, guess what? Joel finally does something for someone else and I am done reading this series. $7 per book for 6 books? I'm glad I didn't have to buy these books.
Wow. My first finished Amish series and I couldn't be more happier. This series, this book, brought tears to my eyes- and I'm not normally emotional over books! Not only were they quick reads, but they genuinely made me look at life differently.
Personally? I'm still working on my rocky relationship with religion, and this series kinda influenced me in a way I wasn't expecting. I went into this series just trying to check off a box in a yearly book challenge, but found myself looking forward to the next chapter each time.
Will I read more Amish genre? Eh, maybe, with definitely a higher chance of YES than there was before.
I was not very happy with the ending. I felt Joel had a complete turn from always wanting money to suddenly writing checks to everyone. It did have a happy ending. I didn't think it was necessary that Joel's father had a secret room in his garage, but overall I loved the story.
This is the last book in The Amish Millionaire series. It is narrower than the other five. Joel has to perform a Selfless Act before the family members can open the envelopes left to them by their dad. One day Joel reads a Bible he was given and it changes his life. To find out how and what the selfless act is, you will have to read this book.
I was waiting for the book all week and sat down and started it before meeting friends for dinner.
Overall it was a good story. That said I do not understand the reasoning behind the six book (650 page) Novellas. This story could have easily been told in a 300 page novel and perhaps better. In fact I did not read book 3 and didn't miss a beat in the story. Also, Novellas even at warehouse prices are more costly than a novel. No more Novellas for me.
This book was a wonderful and satisfying conclusion to this series. I was very proud of Joel for changing his ways. The surprise of his Dad's cars was crazy but sweet because that is something that they both had a passion for. I'm happy that Doris had a baby. I would love for this series to have a stand alone novel continuing the story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Okay . . . FINALLY I can give this a proper review. I went through 5 1/2 installments of this story not even liking the main character, yet hoping there was redemption to be found for him. There was, and it was brought about in a fitting way, I think. Also, the 'surprise' that Eustace had for Joel at the end of the book was a fitting one, I think. 3.5 stars
This book is so amazing you won't be able to stop reading it. The awful things that happened to Joel's family is truly sad. Watching what happens to Joel because of these events is really remarkable. You will feel God working throughout this whole book.
This set of six books has a light family feel to it/them. Feels like a family movie or a Hallmark or something. Quick little easy read, with a message of Christ, saying "no" to yourself and following Him, because His ways are free and His ways are best, and He forgives and teaches us to forgive!
Loved the ending to this book. Joel finally comes to terms what he needs to do. When Joel and his sisters find out what his father left them all Joel was shocked but decided this is what he deserved. All I can say is read the book because there is 2 shockers at the end.
Such an exciting story. I could hardly wait to get into the next book with the adventures in this story. I think Eustace Byler was the hero in this series. He loved his son and stood firm to prove it.
Wanda's books are always enjoyable and uplifting. I picked up the first one on a drive through Amish country. Now I am addicted. Thank you for a glimpse of hope in this crazy world, Wanda!