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The Christmas Secret
A Family Secret May Destroy a Couple’s Hope for Marriage
Beloved, bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter tells a heartrending story from 1880 Pennsylvania. Elizabeth Canning discovers an awful secret in her deceased mother’s diary. Believing her chances for a happy marriage are spoiled, she leaves her fiancé a letter and flees town thinking all hope of a marriage to David is lost. Praying that distance will heal her broken heart, she takes refuge in her grandparents’ Pennsylvania home.
Anticipating a Christmas Eve wedding with Elizabeth, David Stinner is confused by her letter and desperate to find her. Can David root out the truth about the past and bring back his bride? Or is the truth destined to bring an ultimate end to their romance?
Beloved, bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter tells a heartrending story from 1880 Pennsylvania. Elizabeth Canning discovers an awful secret in her deceased mother’s diary. Believing her chances for a happy marriage are spoiled, she leaves her fiancé a letter and flees town thinking all hope of a marriage to David is lost. Praying that distance will heal her broken heart, she takes refuge in her grandparents’ Pennsylvania home.
Anticipating a Christmas Eve wedding with Elizabeth, David Stinner is confused by her letter and desperate to find her. Can David root out the truth about the past and bring back his bride? Or is the truth destined to bring an ultimate end to their romance?
136 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2016
398 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
Wanda E. Brunstetter
215 books2,325 followersNew 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
November 21, 2017
The Christmas Secret
Wanda E. Brunstetter
Received from Netgalley
Elizabeth Canning is getting married to David Stinner is just six weeks. She has been busy getting the tiny cabin her grandfather built for her grandmother, ready for her new life with David. All of that changes when she finds an old journal in a desk drawer that belonged to her Aunt Lovina from decades ago. THE CHRISTMAS SECRET is filled with mystery and it pulled me in from the very first page. Elizabeth leaves her family and David a note and runs away. She can't let her know what she found out in the journal because it will bring shame to so many people.
THE CHRISTMAS SECRET is set in 1880 and even though the cabin is small, many of their friends can't understand why David and Elizabeth would choose to live there when they could easily live in a much more modern cabin. Elizabeth is doing it for sentimental reasons and David is doing it to make Elizabeth happy. Once David discovers Elizabeth's note, to say he is confused and hurt is a huge understatement. He actually thinks she has left to be with another man and that she never really loved David. He goes to her best friend Helen, who seems to be the only one who knows where Elizabeth has gone. He puts his faith and trust in God and prays to find the answers he is looking for.
Once David finds out that Elizabeth ran away because of what she read in her aunts journal, David tracks down her aunt who moved away many many years ago. THE CHRISTMAS SECRET is a huge one and once David learns the truth, he knows he has to go and get Elizabeth back. Will they get married and find their happily ever after? Will he convince Elizabeth that they have the right to be together? THE CHRISTMAS SECRET is a short, sweet novella and the flow of the story held my interest throughout. The story teaches the reader how important communication is and to not believe everything you read at first. Being a novella, you do not have much time to connect with the characters, but with the way Wanda E. Brunstetter wrote the story, you are quickly filled with hope and find yourself cheering for David and Elizabeth. As an added bonus, there are recipes at the end of the book and who doesn't love that?
Wanda E. Brunstetter
Received from Netgalley
Elizabeth Canning is getting married to David Stinner is just six weeks. She has been busy getting the tiny cabin her grandfather built for her grandmother, ready for her new life with David. All of that changes when she finds an old journal in a desk drawer that belonged to her Aunt Lovina from decades ago. THE CHRISTMAS SECRET is filled with mystery and it pulled me in from the very first page. Elizabeth leaves her family and David a note and runs away. She can't let her know what she found out in the journal because it will bring shame to so many people.
THE CHRISTMAS SECRET is set in 1880 and even though the cabin is small, many of their friends can't understand why David and Elizabeth would choose to live there when they could easily live in a much more modern cabin. Elizabeth is doing it for sentimental reasons and David is doing it to make Elizabeth happy. Once David discovers Elizabeth's note, to say he is confused and hurt is a huge understatement. He actually thinks she has left to be with another man and that she never really loved David. He goes to her best friend Helen, who seems to be the only one who knows where Elizabeth has gone. He puts his faith and trust in God and prays to find the answers he is looking for.
Once David finds out that Elizabeth ran away because of what she read in her aunts journal, David tracks down her aunt who moved away many many years ago. THE CHRISTMAS SECRET is a huge one and once David learns the truth, he knows he has to go and get Elizabeth back. Will they get married and find their happily ever after? Will he convince Elizabeth that they have the right to be together? THE CHRISTMAS SECRET is a short, sweet novella and the flow of the story held my interest throughout. The story teaches the reader how important communication is and to not believe everything you read at first. Being a novella, you do not have much time to connect with the characters, but with the way Wanda E. Brunstetter wrote the story, you are quickly filled with hope and find yourself cheering for David and Elizabeth. As an added bonus, there are recipes at the end of the book and who doesn't love that?
December 8, 2019
Set in a small town in Pennsylvania in the 1880s, Elizabeth and David are excitedly awaiting their Christmas wedding. But when cleaning out the cabin where they will be living, Elizabeth discovers her Aunt's journal that reveals a devastating secret. She leaves town, vowing to spare David from humiliation. But David is determined not to lose Elizabeth and will do anything to get her back. Can a Christmas miracle bring them back together?
The story is short and could have been better developed, but is a sweet reminder of how love binds people together.
The story is short and could have been better developed, but is a sweet reminder of how love binds people together.
February 10, 2017
Jealousy leads to lies in an old journal. Elizabeth is about to get married in 6 week until she reads an entry in a decades old journal . Devastated she runs away only telling her best friend the real reason she must go away. Whenever David presses Helen for a reason as to why Elizabeth has gone away breaking their engagement without a reason she nervously slips up and tells him the truth. Though devastated he must find the journal's owner to get answers.
December 27, 2017
As Elizabeth Canning and David Stinner plan to be married on Christmas Eve, will the secret Elizabeth uncovers change those plans? David doesn’t understand what has happened to change Elizabeth’s mind and is desperate to find the truth. Faith in God and hope are sprinkled throughout the pages as well as yummy recipes included at the end of the book. I enjoy Author Wanda Brunstetter’s story-telling style and found this to be a heart-warming tale with an important lesson to be learned.
December 6, 2018
This was a very short, sweet Christmas novella taking place in 1880. Elizabeth Canning is getting married to David Stinner on Christmas Eve and she is busy getting the tiny cabin her grandfather built for her grandmother, ready for their new life. When she finds an old journal in a desk, life changes drastically. It appears that her Aunt Lovina shares a secret from decades earlier, a secret that causes Elizabeth to leave her family and David a note and run away. She can't let them know what she found out in the journal because it will bring shame to so many. Once David discovers Elizabeth's note, he is confused and hurt. He actually thinks she has left to be with another man and that she never really loved him. He goes to her best friend Helen, who seems to be the only one who knows where Elizabeth has gone. He puts his faith and trust in God and prays to find the answers he is looking for.
THE CHRISTMAS SECRET is a short, sweet novella and the flow of the story was such that I did not want to stop reading. Wanda Brunstetter held my interest throughout. There are a couple of important messages in this story about communication and not always believing what you read without investigating and verifying the information. Even though in this short book I did not have a lot of time to connect with the characters, I found that I was still cheering for David to find Elizabeth and sort out this problem quickly.
THE CHRISTMAS SECRET is a short, sweet novella and the flow of the story was such that I did not want to stop reading. Wanda Brunstetter held my interest throughout. There are a couple of important messages in this story about communication and not always believing what you read without investigating and verifying the information. Even though in this short book I did not have a lot of time to connect with the characters, I found that I was still cheering for David to find Elizabeth and sort out this problem quickly.
December 21, 2019
If you are looking for a wonderful book to read during the holiday season, or anytime of year, I would like to recommend Wanda Brunstetter's The Christmas Secret. The story is set in Allentown Pennsylvania in the year 1880
Elizabeth Canning is already to wed her sweetheart, David Stinner on Christmas Eve. Just before their "big day" Elizabeth comes across a journal belonging to her Aunt Lovia. While reading it she comes across a family secret that could change her wedding plans.
Upset by this revelation, Elizabeth leaves and goes to live with her grand parents while David sets out to find the answer to this revelation written by Elizabeth's aunt.
What is the secret the can change Elizabeth's plans to marry the one she loves. Will this revelation keep the couple from becoming man and wife.
I found this short Christmas novella to be very well written and the characters very likable and strong. The bottom pages of the book were decorated with evergreen, which I found very appealing and festive. At the back of the book the author, Wanda Brunstetter has included three recipes , Gingerbread, Grandma's Bread, and Brown Sugar Pudding. for her readers to try.
Elizabeth Canning is already to wed her sweetheart, David Stinner on Christmas Eve. Just before their "big day" Elizabeth comes across a journal belonging to her Aunt Lovia. While reading it she comes across a family secret that could change her wedding plans.
Upset by this revelation, Elizabeth leaves and goes to live with her grand parents while David sets out to find the answer to this revelation written by Elizabeth's aunt.
What is the secret the can change Elizabeth's plans to marry the one she loves. Will this revelation keep the couple from becoming man and wife.
I found this short Christmas novella to be very well written and the characters very likable and strong. The bottom pages of the book were decorated with evergreen, which I found very appealing and festive. At the back of the book the author, Wanda Brunstetter has included three recipes , Gingerbread, Grandma's Bread, and Brown Sugar Pudding. for her readers to try.
December 18, 2017
Elizabeth Canning and David Stinner planned to be married on Christmas eve in 1880. But then quite by accident Elizabeth discovered a terrible secret about her mother that changed her plans to marry David. Leaving a note for David and for her father and step mother she leaves home . The secret is so terrible all she can think about is to get away from everyone.
This is an easy to read story. I was able to finish it in one day. I loved the story and it kept me turning the pages to the end. Wanda Brunstetter is my favorite author and I enjoy her writing style. Wanda usually writes Amish Fiction but she is also very good at historical fiction too.
If you enjoy historical fiction you will like this novella. There are some recipes in the back of the book that look fairly easy to make and sound delicious. This is a very good Christmas read and I highly recommend it.
This is an easy to read story. I was able to finish it in one day. I loved the story and it kept me turning the pages to the end. Wanda Brunstetter is my favorite author and I enjoy her writing style. Wanda usually writes Amish Fiction but she is also very good at historical fiction too.
If you enjoy historical fiction you will like this novella. There are some recipes in the back of the book that look fairly easy to make and sound delicious. This is a very good Christmas read and I highly recommend it.
December 28, 2017
A very sweet story. One should never jump to conclusions until all the facts are checked.
November 1, 2020
This book was very good. I loved the mystery romance. I also really enjoyed the ending.
August 4, 2016
The Christmas Secret by Wanda E. Brunsetter is a short novella about the upcoming wedding of Elizabeth Canning to David Steiner. Just a few weeks prior to the wedding, Elizabeth discovers an old diary that belonged to her mother’s sister and makes a startling discovery that will affect her wedding. Will the wedding continue or be called off?
This is a rather familiar story line and as the book is rather short it is not possible to become connected with the characters. As a novella, it was a pleasant book to read although the outcome really didn’t come as a surprise.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley , Barbour Publishing Company and Shiloh Run Press in return for a fair and honest review
This is a rather familiar story line and as the book is rather short it is not possible to become connected with the characters. As a novella, it was a pleasant book to read although the outcome really didn’t come as a surprise.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley , Barbour Publishing Company and Shiloh Run Press in return for a fair and honest review
August 25, 2016
This is a tender loving novella, there is one thing wrong with this novella - that it is a novella - that it isn't a novel. It was too short. I loved the book - It was so touching and heart warming. Elizabeth was to wed David on Christmas, but as life would happen Elizabeth found her mothers diary and read something that would cause her to run and leave a note for David - David goes after her - why did she leave - was it truly something in the diary or is it the marriage? What happened = did they get married or was it for the best - let me tell you - nah - you have to get the book to find out what happened and what was in the diary and you will not believe what it was. This is a loving, beautiful novella.
March 19, 2017
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. I gave 4 because it's pretty good for what it is: a short, fluffy Christmas romance. I thought the premise was interesting, even though the execution was a little predictable. I would have liked a little more time to get to know the characters, but I am glad that this author didn't fall into the trap of dragging things out for far too long. This plot moved. Make yourself some cocoa and relax with this sweet holiday story.
December 11, 2017
An interesting story about trusting God (I liked how both Elizabeth and David used Proverbs 3:5 as a guidepost for their lives) even when things seem they can't possibly ever be 'right' again. There were times I felt like I was pulled away from the 1880 time frame due to some wording choices, but the book was short enough that this wasn't a complete deal-breaker for me.
October 26, 2016
If you want a feel good book that everything works out ok this is the book for you. It is a quick read and a bit predictable, but still worth reading.
May 14, 2017
hard to believe Wanda wrote this. It is written on about a sixth grade reading level. Decent story, but too simple. Read it in under 2 hours.
December 21, 2022
I've had this one on my Kindle for way too long and got as a freebie from Amazon. Since it was available through Hoopla as an audiobook. I figured this was a good way to get this off my Want to Read bookshelf and off my Kindle. This was a short, pleasant-enough Christmas read from a Christian writer/publisher.The Christian element is extremely mild and might not even have realized since God is seldom, if even mentioned.
December 28, 2017
This is the 1st book I read by Wanda E. Brunstetter. This book's story line was cute. I liked Elizabeth's character. I felt bad for Elizabeth. I really liked David's character. I liked the ending.
December 21, 2025
Nice, sweet, quick read. Can't wait to make the Brown Sugar Pudding!
December 14, 2017
Picked this up on Hoopla so I would have something to listen to while knitting.
The story is straightforward and clean: a perfectly happy couple is about to get married and live for a while in the cabin the bride's mother grew up in. While cleaning the cabin, she finds a diary, doesn't scruple to read it, and learns something terrible. She leaves. Havoc ensues.
Now for the meh part: the narration is lackluster and frankly boring. The story itself reads as though a lot of 2017 technology is just kind of in the fabric of life in the 1880s (eg, a guy is freezing after getting dunked in an icy lake, but instead of getting him right in front of the woodstove and stripping off the icy stuff, he's sent to a bedroom so he can change clothes--in a place without central heating. Or someone gives directions like, "Go down the road about a mile and then when there's a fork, take the left." In the dark. During a snowstorm. I guess horses had GPS?) It didn't feel immersive, was the problem.
(A cabin unattended in the woods for fifteen years should have been full of vermin, and mice would have eaten that journal. I'm just saying. It wouldn't be a "cozy" cabin anymore because there would be holes in the roof and squirrels living in the walls. I live in the woods. It's a constant battle.)
Elizabeth's insistence on talking to no one is the real cause of the conflict, and it's never addressed. Moreover, the characters do things like conveniently forget that she has relatives across the state where she probably went -- as in, David actually says, "I wonder why I didn't think of that?" (That's known as a "Signal from Fred" in SFF circles.) And then the conflict ends up solved by a coincidence (Hey, boss, that person you're looking for? My cousin wrote a letter where she happened to give the first and last name AND the address of her employer, who is that person who disappeared all those years ago!)
So, it's okay if you want something clean and short and not terribly preachy at Christmas.
The story is straightforward and clean: a perfectly happy couple is about to get married and live for a while in the cabin the bride's mother grew up in. While cleaning the cabin, she finds a diary, doesn't scruple to read it, and learns something terrible. She leaves. Havoc ensues.
Now for the meh part: the narration is lackluster and frankly boring. The story itself reads as though a lot of 2017 technology is just kind of in the fabric of life in the 1880s (eg, a guy is freezing after getting dunked in an icy lake, but instead of getting him right in front of the woodstove and stripping off the icy stuff, he's sent to a bedroom so he can change clothes--in a place without central heating. Or someone gives directions like, "Go down the road about a mile and then when there's a fork, take the left." In the dark. During a snowstorm. I guess horses had GPS?) It didn't feel immersive, was the problem.
(A cabin unattended in the woods for fifteen years should have been full of vermin, and mice would have eaten that journal. I'm just saying. It wouldn't be a "cozy" cabin anymore because there would be holes in the roof and squirrels living in the walls. I live in the woods. It's a constant battle.)
Elizabeth's insistence on talking to no one is the real cause of the conflict, and it's never addressed. Moreover, the characters do things like conveniently forget that she has relatives across the state where she probably went -- as in, David actually says, "I wonder why I didn't think of that?" (That's known as a "Signal from Fred" in SFF circles.) And then the conflict ends up solved by a coincidence (Hey, boss, that person you're looking for? My cousin wrote a letter where she happened to give the first and last name AND the address of her employer, who is that person who disappeared all those years ago!)
So, it's okay if you want something clean and short and not terribly preachy at Christmas.
November 25, 2017
A quick little story that leads up to Christmas, but does not have much of the Christmas holiday taking place in the story. I enjoy Brunstetter's books. This one did not involve the Amish, but it still took place in Pennsylvania. It was nice having towns in my area (Allentown, Easton & Coopersburg) being mentioned throughout the story.
November 11, 2018
A quick little read. Rated G
December 24, 2020
Short, sweet, and kept my interest throughout. I enjoyed it.
December 23, 2017
Lies & Jealousy
Two sisters did not get along causing one of them to be jealous. She wrote a lie in her journal that could have ruined a number of people. I felt the characters were not real or believable. In other words they were one dimensional characters in a story. Have read better books by this author.
Two sisters did not get along causing one of them to be jealous. She wrote a lie in her journal that could have ruined a number of people. I felt the characters were not real or believable. In other words they were one dimensional characters in a story. Have read better books by this author.
December 21, 2017
If this were to be expanded into a full length novel, I think it could be an excellent one. However, this is a novella and everything happens too quickly and too perfectly, imho. I would love to see the author develop the personalities of the two main characters, especially. This is a common complaint of mine about novellas, but for those who enjoy shorter stories, this one would probably be very enjoyable.
December 23, 2017
Good book
Easy read & a cute short story with suspense as to why the wedding may be cancelled. Don't want to spoil it for future readers by providing a n answer.
Easy read & a cute short story with suspense as to why the wedding may be cancelled. Don't want to spoil it for future readers by providing a n answer.
December 18, 2017
Just too short.
A good story but just felt abbreviated. It could have been developed more. The author seemed to be in a hurry to tell her story.
A good story but just felt abbreviated. It could have been developed more. The author seemed to be in a hurry to tell her story.
December 19, 2017
Quick Christmasy read
Enjoyable read with several twists and turns. Can be read easily in one sitting. Good introduction to the author’s writing style.
Enjoyable read with several twists and turns. Can be read easily in one sitting. Good introduction to the author’s writing style.
December 16, 2017
Sweet story
Sweet Christmas story. Very typical story from this author. Seems like it should be a Hallmark Christmas movie. Good read to get in the Christmas spirit. I always like books by this author.
Sweet Christmas story. Very typical story from this author. Seems like it should be a Hallmark Christmas movie. Good read to get in the Christmas spirit. I always like books by this author.
December 10, 2017
I think I am being generous with my stars for this one. I had a big problem with how the main character just runs away instead of at least researching for verification of what she thinks to be true. I really like the Male character however and things do get resolved in the end. That is the reason I went for 3 stars.
December 29, 2016
This was a delightful Christmas read full of twists and turns while ending up with a happily ever after. The initial idea of the story is nothing new but nevertheless the writing and storyline kept me guessing, teasing at at happily never after but ending up exactly where I wanted the characters to be. The story is short but packs a very big punch and teaches a lesson to trust in God despite how dire circumstances might be.
I highly recommend this book.
5 stars
I highly recommend this book.
5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews