What if you have waited to find love only to be rejected when it finally comes?
Lenore Lapp is an Amish schoolteacher in her late twenties still living at home with her parents and grandparents. She thought love had passed her by until she meets Jesse Smucker, a widower with a baby daughter. She quickly falls in love with them both and accepts Jesse's proposal of marriage, but Jesse breaks off their engagement when he realizes he can't marry only for convenience.
Resigned to living single, Lenore throws herself into caring for her elders. While working in her grandmother's garden, she digs up an old jar. Will Lenore find healing for her broken heart and solve long-buried family secrets by reading the note contained inside?
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.
This is an Amish Fiction, and this is the 3rd book in the Prayer Jar series. This is also the last book in this series, and I have to say I am going to really miss these characters. I have read all three books in this series. The characters in this series is so developed, and they feel so real to me. I love Wanda's writing style, and I love that her books as a mixed of Amish and English characters. I did listen to the audiobook for this book, and I loved the narrator of this audiobook.
If you've read any Amish fiction at all I'm sure you've heard of the author, Wanda Brunstetter. She is one of the first authors to write the genre and an absolute go to author for me when she releases a new book. I've read almost all of her books and she is not slowing down at all. Her books get better and better with each one she releases! This is the third and I do believe final book in the Prayer Jars series because it answers all the questions from the past books. If you do read this series please do yourself a favor and read all three of the books in order to get the most enjoyment out of the series. There is a lot going on here in this book a new man moves to town after his fraa passes away with an infant daughter . He's not ready to open his heart to love again but his daughter needs a mother. Is there a way to have both? We meet up again with Grandma and Grandpa Lapp with his failing health Lenore moves in to help when she's not teaching at the local Amish school. There is family moving away for new opportunities. And we finally have answers when the final prayer jar is found. Answers that have long been prayed for. I enjoyed reading how the characters are so easy to relate to. The characters has stress and worry but they take it into prayer and work to resolve it. This author is a true blessing to many including myself with her books.
Published August 1st 2019 by Shiloh Run Press I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
Sadly, THE HEALING JAR is the last story in The Prayer Jars trilogy. I wish it would be turned into a series so everyone in this wonderful Amish community could benefit from the beautiful messages in the jars. Oh how I love a Wanda Brunstetter story! She had my emotions all over the place. Once I started reading THE HEALING JAR it was very hard to stop! The twists and turns made it impossible to put down, as I had to know what was going to happen to Lenore after losing her grandpa and being in quite the pickle of two men wanting to marry her! What an awesome story. All of Wanda’s characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again.
Once you start reading THE HEALING JAR it will be very hard to stop! Wanda sure knows how to put a new twist on Amish fiction! When Jesse and his young daughter move to their community, Lenore falls in love with Cindy, the baby who lost her mother during her birth. Lenore gets her chance at love, but will Jesse be able to move past his love for his first wife to give Cindy the mother she needs? Will he ask Lenore to be in a love less marriage that is only about convience for him? I’ve got to admit, THE HEALING JAR is the best book of the trilogy. Trust is the main lesson in this wonderful story. Can we put our trust in God to right our troubles in our lives if it is his will? This story definitely makes you think about that question.
THE HEALING JAR is without a doubt one of the best Amish books I’ve read in 2022 so far. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters. When Lenore finds the prayer jar in the garden, I found myself thinking of those prayers over and over again! Wanda Brunstetter is such a wonderful and heart tugging author and she had me laughing and crying on the very same page. I am now going to read all of her previous books that I have somehow missed as she is now an auto buy author for me! THE HEALING JAR made me very sad to have to say goodbye to the Lapp family. But I’m very happy to learn who wrote the messages in the jars and who Sara’s biological father is. Grab your copy today and get on the couch!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The Healing Jar is Amish fiction centered around faith and simplicity. I liked the story. I was happy and sad about certain things. While these stories are always uplifting, have to wonder if it's really real? Or, is it leading to a nonexistent concept we wish existed? Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I’m surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I’m truly a thriller/horror girl here but this was a nice change for me. I’ve not read this author before and would try another one by her if a change was needed. I really liked her style of writing.
When Jesse and his young daughter move to their community, Lenore falls in love with the motherless child. She gets her chance at love, but will Jesse be able to move past his love for his first wife to give Cindy the mother she needs? Threads of the story focus on Sara's pursuit of finding her biological father and Michelle's move with husband Ezekiel to New York. I haven't read the earlier books in this series, but I feel certain they provide additional insights into the characters backstories. While the writing style needs improvement, the story itself is enjoyable and should resound with fans of the Amish fiction genre. Discussion questions at the end provide good fodder for book discussion groups in churches. I received an advance review copy through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.
The Healing Jar is the third installment in The Prayer Jar series. You do need to read the books in order for the complete story. In this final book in the series, we get to know Lenore. Lenore is the local schoolteacher who dreams of having a happy marriage and a houseful of children. Unfortunately, the right man has not come along for Lenore. After Willis Lapp suffers a debilitating stroke, Lenore’s faith has weakened. She does not understand why bad things happen to good people like her grandparent’s. Jesse Smucker’s wife died giving birth to their daughter, Cindy. He left Kentucky to start anew away from the memories, but it is hard being a single parent. Jesse wants a marriage of convenience since he still loves his deceased wife, and he begins to court Lenore without telling her this little tidbit. I thought The Healing Jar was well-written with a gentle pace. It was lovely to revisit the Lapp family and catch up with them. Mary Ruth is a positive woman with strong faith which aids in her times of adversity. Michelle is shocked when Ezekiel wishes to move to New York. She wants her husband to find a job he loves, but Michelle does not want to be away from her family and friends. It is been a year and half since they married, and Michelle has yet to get pregnant which worries her. Sara and Brad are happily married, but Sara still wonders about the identity of her biological father. The Healing Jar is an emotional novel and you need to have a box of tissues nearby for some poignant scenes. I like the prayer jars and how each of our main characters find slips of paper that speak to them. There are scripture passages, prayers, and inspirational quotes inside the jar. Our characters pray for guidance and assistance. I admire their deep faith and how they can pray in front of others. They are good Christians and they live by example which is hard to do in this day and age. I did find some items repeated too often. An example is Jesse’s love for his wife, Esther and Michelle’s desire for children. There are discussion questions at the end of the book along with a recipe for Lenore’s Pineapple Philly Pie. The Healing Jar is a satisfying conclusion to this uplifting series.
The best book in the series!! Oh my there is a lot of action in this story!! And a lot of topy turvies too!! I loved loved this book!! Wanda is truly an amazing storyteller. When I read one of her books I was hooked! I think the character I can most identify with is poor Michelle!! I've been in her place but eveveryrhing does work out. I also think that Trust is the main theme here. We need to trust God that He will work things out if it is His will. I love the fact that families still pray before every meal or whatever the situation calls for. I wish that more families would take time out to pray. I think we'd be a whole lot better if we left God in charge! I love Lenore to pieces!! I honestly wish that she were a real person. I would love to have her as a best friend!! She's an awesome character!! Patience is virtue but who has that? I sure don't Mary Ruth is also one of my favorite people. I hope that there are more stories with her in them. I love her outlook on life!! I think it's something we all need to learn. I love reading about the Amish! They are a fascinating people and I never get tired of saying that we can always learn a thing or two from them. Thank you Wanda for another fabulous story!! I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley. No compensations were received and all opinions are my own!!
This is the third book in the trilogy and it was wonderful. Even though this book deals with Willis and his declining health, there are many happy occasions in the book. Sara who joined the Amish life after meeting her grandparents, discovers the identity of her father through a message found in the healing jar. Lenore moves in with her grandparents and finds love with Jesse whose wife died in childbirth.
The Healing Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter is book three in her The Prayer Jars series. The novel is part of a series but the author has done a good job of making it a standalone, giving ample background on the characters and the story so far.
Lenore Lapp is an Amish schoolteacher. She’s single and lives with her grandparents. Jesse Smucker is an Amish widower with a six-month-old daughter, Cindy. He’s just moved to the area to get a fresh start, following the death of his wife, Esther, who died in childbirth. Jesse asks Lenore to care for his daughter while he works and she agrees. Lenore falls in love with both father and daughter, and Jesse knows it but doesn’t reciprocate her feelings.
Needing help with his home and daughter, Jesse proposes to Lenore and she happily accepts. Jesse breaks off the engagement when he realizes it’s unfair to trap Lenore in a marriage of convenience without her prior knowledge. Though Lenore loves Jesse and is devastated by the breakup, she’s grateful that he came clean before the wedding, because she knows she’d never be happy or fulfilled in a marriage in name only.
Lenore turns to the jars of scriptures and prayers initially found by Sara Murray and Michelle Taylor, from the previous novels in the series, along with the one she dug up in her grandmother’s garden. Lenore, Sara and Michelle are all intrigued and continue to seek solace and inspiration from the anonymously penned notes. Will Lenore find healing for herself and her family inscribed on these tiny scraps of paper?
The plot is complex and compelling. Brunstetter presents a great cast of relatable, fully-developed characters. The author is writing from personal knowledge of Amish practices, so the novel is purely authentic.
I give The Healing Jar5 out of 5 stars. It’s a great read for fans of chaste romance and/or religious fiction, especially Amish fiction/romance. If you aren’t a fan of books with religious themes, this is not the book for you.
My thanks to Barbour Publishing, Inc. and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
Lenore Lapp lives a busy life teaching at the local Amish School and living with her aging grandparents helping them keep house and running errands for them. Love seems to have passed her by until Handsome widower Jesse Smucker and his young daughter move to her community. Michelle and her husband Ezekiel decide to buy a bee keeping supply business in New York. Michelle would rather stay near the people she has come to love and know as family but feels she should support her husband in his decision to move. She dreads the move as the day of departure draws near. Sara is happily married to Pastor Brad and busy running her flower shop . However she is still driven to find out who her biological father is. Willis Lapp has suffered a debilitating stroke which has put him in a wheelchair and robbed him of his mobility and independence. Day after day he wrestles with depression as he tries to adjust to his new lifestyle. Mary Ruth wonders how she will ever manage to take care of Willis once Lenore starts back to teaching school in the fall. She tries to stay cheerful and positive but oh how she misses the way things were before Willis' stroke. Will things come together for everyone for the best? The Healing Jar bring this series to a conclusion. I shall greatly miss my friends that have made this series so enjoyable, but the author Wanda Brunstetter has promised fans that some of the characters from The Prayer Jar Series will make it to a new series that she is currently working on. I loved that all three books were warm hearted and true to life. It includes romance and marriage but as in real life there are also trials and tribulations and heart breaking situations. I recommend The Healing Jar to all fans of Wanda Brunstetter and all readers of Amish fiction and Christian Fiction. I was given a copy of this book from the author and the publisher. I was not asked to give a favorable review. All opinions shared here are my own.
This is the third book in The Prayer Jars series, and although it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the full series in order as there is story and character development that occurs with all three of the books. The series centers around 3 young ladies that all call MaryRuth grandma, whether through blood or love.
Lenore Lapp is our main character in this series. She has moved in with her grandparents due to her grandfather's stroke. She is a teacher and is going to be teaching at the school in her new community. Also new to the community is Jesse and his young daughter. He has left his home in Kentucky for a fresh start after the loss of his wife. He is living in a house owned by a relative, working and trying to find childcare for his daughter. Enter Lenore and MaryRuth. It is summer, so Lenore is not working. With the death of her grandfather, both women would love to have this bopli to keep them busy and to have laughter and youth in the house. Of course the more time Jesse and Lenore spend together, the better chance of them developing deeper feelings for one another. Things do not go smoothly for them and it takes the help of her cousin Sarah, friend Michelle and the prayer jars to help her deal with her problems and feelings.
This was a wonderful conclusion to this series. Some storylines that have been ongoing are tied up nicely in a way that I suspected in the last book. The young ladies have all dealt with some adversity, some more serious than others, and they have to figure out what to do. They doubt themselves and are afraid to give it up to God. This book is about love, faith and most of all, trust. Trust in themselves, trust in others and most of all, trust in God. The quotes, questions and scripture found in the prayer jar get them thinking about what they need to do and it works out in the end. Patience is not always easy to come by, but Lenore and Jesse both learn that time is often what is needed and to trust one's feelings. I loved the characters in this book and series. They are well developed and have problems that most readers can identify with, whether Amish or not. Sickness, death, love, fear, inferiority, friendship, and faith are all things that play a role in the path that Lenore follows. I was sad to see this series end, but very satisfied with how all the loose ends were tied up. If you enjoy Amish Romance, pick this series up, I am sure you will enjoy it. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
The Healing Jar is the third installment in The Prayer Jar series. You do need to read the books in order for the complete story. In this final book in the series, we get to know Lenore. Lenore is the local schoolteacher who dreams of having a happy marriage and a houseful of children. Unfortunately, the right man has not come along for Lenore. After Willis Lapp suffers a debilitating stroke, Lenore’s faith has weakened. She does not understand why bad things happen to good people like her grandparent’s. Jesse Smucker’s wife died giving birth to their daughter, Cindy. He left Kentucky to start anew away from the memories, but it is hard being a single parent. Jesse wants a marriage of convenience since he still loves his deceased wife, and he begins to court Lenore without telling her this little tidbit. I thought The Healing Jar was well-written with a gentle pace. It was lovely to revisit the Lapp family and catch up with them. Mary Ruth is a positive woman with strong faith which aids in her times of adversity. Michelle is shocked when Ezekiel wishes to move to New York. She wants her husband to find a job he loves, but Michelle does not want to be away from her family and friends. It is been a year and half since they married, and Michelle has yet to get pregnant which worries her. Sara and Brad are happily married, but Sara still wonders about the identity of her biological father. The Healing Jar is an emotional novel and you need to have a box of tissues nearby for some poignant scenes. I like the prayer jars and how each of our main characters find slips of paper that speak to them. There are scripture passages, prayers, and inspirational quotes inside the jar. Our characters pray for guidance and assistance. I admire their deep faith and how they can pray in front of others. They are good Christians and they live by example which is hard to do in this day and age. I did find some items repeated too often. An example is Jesse’s love for his wife, Esther and Michelle’s desire for children. There are discussion questions at the end of the book along with a recipe for Lenore’s Pineapple Philly Pie. The Healing Jar is a satisfying conclusion to this uplifting series.
I am the first to admit that Amish fiction is not my favorite as so many of the books all sound the same. But Brunstetter has done a wonderful job of creating a series that has different twists from the normal Amish fiction. This last book was my favorite as she wound up several threads that had started in Book 1.
The growing relationship between Lenore and Jessie was nicely developed. Throw in Jesse's adorable baby daughter, Cindy, and you definitely have a story that captures your interest. I enjoyed seeing the mystery of Sara's biological father finally solved with the discovery of a third prayer jar.
Brunstetter does a wonderful job of bringing the Amish culture to life as well as their relationships with the Englishers. It was sad to see the end of this series and to say goodbye to the Lapp family and all their friends. But it was inspiring to watch the strong Amish faith and their powerful trust in God.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Shiloh Run Press through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
"What if you have waited to find love only to be rejected when it finally comes?
Lenore Lapp is an Amish schoolteacher in her late twenties still living at home with her parents and grandparents. She thought love had passed her by until she meets Jesse Smucker, a widower with a baby daughter. She quickly falls in love with them both and accepts Jesse’s proposal of marriage, but Jesse breaks off their engagement when he realizes he can’t marry only for convenience.
Resigned to living single, Lenore throws herself into caring for her elders. While working in her grandmother’s garden, she digs up an old jar. Will Lenore find healing for her broken heart and solve long-buried family secrets by reading the note contained inside?"
This last book of The Prayer Jars series was my favorite among the three. I had enjoyed Lenore's cameos in the first two books, and I was glad to finally read her story. To me, she was a much deeper and more believable character than Michelle or Sarah, the main characters of the first two books. I was also glad to have finally learned the mystery of who had filled the prayer jars and of who Sarah's father was. Overall, I did enjoy this series and how each book was both connected to but unique from the others.
Another great read by Wanda about Faith, Love, Family and Tragedy!! This book and series taught me that always keep good faith in good times and bad. As well as always believe in love and to keep your family close.
Wish this series would continue but glad all the loose ends with the characters were tied up and Lenore and Jesse found happieness in the end!!!
This was a fitting end to this series. Who would have ever guessed how it would play out we find out who Sarah's father is and many other things. I hope that others enjoyed the series as much as I did.
I enjoyed this quick read, and loved that we are reunited and continue with the lives of the characters in the previous books, and conclude their stories. This one is cousin Lenore, a young woman who care deeply for others, and especially her grandparents that she lives with and helps. Throughout this story you wonder if Jesse will do right by Lenore, or will the new man in the community win her heart. I loved how conclusions and updates were made in this story, surprises abound here, and most I didn’t see coming!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbout, and was not required to give a positive review.
I have enjoyed reading Wanda Brunstetter's books for many years. I really enjoyed reading this book.
This book centers mostly around Lenore Lapp. Lenore is a twenty something Amish woman. She is a schoolteacher that has given up hope of finding love. She lives with her Grandparents.
Lenore soon meets Jesse Smucker and his baby daughter Cindy. Jesse lost his wife and has recently moved to the area to find a new start. They strike up a friendship and Leonore comes to care for Jesse and Cindy.
The book follows the ups and downs in Lenore's life. I really enjoyed the interaction between characters and the story line was very good.
I laughed and cried through the whole book! It opens with Sara and Brad getting married. Michelle and Ezekiel have been married for a while Michelle longs for a bay and wonders why it hasn't happened yet. Lenore wonders if she will ever get married or spend her life single and teaching school.
Lenore moved in with her grandparents because Grandpa Lapp had a stroke. She was helping around the farm and helping to take care of her grandfather. He was unable to do any work around the farm. she helped when she wasn't teaching school.
Ezekiel wants to move to New York and learn a new trade. Michelle wants to stay where they are. She does not want to move to New York where she doesn't know anyone. She makes up her mind to pray about it.
Sara and Brad are starting up a Bible study for new Christians. A gentleman comes to the first one. He talks about running around with some Amish teens when he was a teen. One of them was a girl named Rhoda. Sara's ears perked up because that was her mom's name. She wonders if this guy is he dad. She asks him some questions that seems like he doesn't want to answer.
Grandpa Willis seems to be getting better. His speech is better and he can walk by himself with his cane. He falls on the floor of his room one day. The doctor is unable to save him With Grandpa gone, Mary Ruth wonders what she will do. Will she be able to stay in her house or will she have to move in with her son?
Michelle and Ezekiel both prayed about moving to New York. In the end they both decided that they would. Michelle had to go where her husband went. Mary Ruth and his parents gave them their blessing even though they would be missed.
Lenore would like to marry Jesse and be his daughter's mother. She had started to babysit the baby for him while he wen t to work. He wanted to marry her in name only so he'd have someone to take to care of his daughter and the household. He vowed he would never love another woman like he did his first wife.
Do Ezekiel and Michelle thrive in New York? Or do they move back home? Do they have a baby? Does Sara find her biological father? Does she marry Jesse in name only? Does Jesse learn to love her as he should love a wife?What do Sara and Lenore do when they find the third jar that's buried in the ground?
The must conclusion to The Prayer Jar Series by Wanda Brunstetter.
Thank you to Barbour Publishing, Inc, via Netgalley for the opportunity to read/review the ARC of The Healing Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter.
I am in love with Amish reads. That said, I particularly love all Amish reads by Wanda Brunstetter. She is an amazing author, always staying true to her followers. I am not Amish, and sometimes am not even sure what I believe. Wanda's books are soothing. They do not force religion on anyone, they are just about good people living a pure and simple lifestyle. This book, like her others, support good, honest, hardworking, moral people. Who could not gain from that?
The Healing Jar is third in the trilogy of the Prayer Jar books. It is also the first of the three I have read. I enjoyed the book from the very beginning and it could easily be read as a stand-alone. Instead, for me, it has only made me that much more anxious to go back and read the others, immediately.
This story centers on an Amish family, some close knit, some extended, some not even blood related, and all the trials they face in everyday life. These characters are real. They are just like us and have emotions, as do we. They hope, they struggle, they lose, they make errors in judgement, they ask for forgiveness, as well as give it. They triumph, they love, they treasure those around them, and put all of their faith in God. I am always touched by the depth of emotion that Wanda is able to give to her characters. You want to meet them, support them, talk with them, console them, and especially share their joy.
The overall theme in this story is healing, and the process in which one must go through dealing with hurt, grief, death, mistrust, and fear, to eventually reconcile and love again. We see relationships between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, cousins, siblings, and friends. The one common link in all of these interactions is that all the characters are able to wholeheartedly and unconditionally give trust to God, knowing that he will ultimately always guide and protect. And, the part I like best, is that this includes all characters, not just the Amish, but people of all walks of life. What an amazing and exhilarating feeling to be bestowed upon. It is my hope that all readers take the opportunity to read this and other Amish books. I think there is something valuable that every reader can take away, Amish or not.
A conclusion to The Prayer Jars trilogy, Wanda Brunstetter’s “The Healing Jar” neatly weaves together the characters and outcomes of the first two books while continuing and ultimately ending the saga. As such, it is best to read this series in order for a full understanding of the background and a richer reading experience. This is a good series for those who may be new to the Amish fiction genre because the Pennsylvania Dutch words are defined and described in context, but in such a way that it does not detract from the story. Amish customs are also explored. For instance, this book describes Amish funeral practices. Another interesting aspect of The Prayer Jars series is how it examines the relationships between Amish and English people who are from the same family and how they interact with one another.
Of the three books, this one was my favorite. Marketed as a romance, family drama also plays a leading role in “The Healing Jar.” This book is the most action-packed and emotional one in the series. Lenore Lapp is the main character, but Sara and Michelle also figure prominently. Brunstetter does a nice job of following each young woman’s life as the tale unfolds, intertwining them without disrupting the flow of the novel. The topic of marriage is a main focal point, and I appreciated that challenges and conflict are addressed rather than painting a rose-colored picture and leaving it at “happily ever after” because this made the story more true-to-life. This book has several surprises, and the suspense of how things would turn out continues to the last page. All three storylines conclude, and although I will miss the characters, I am glad that mysteries have been solved and secrets revealed. Following the story is a recipe for Philly pie and a set of discussion questions which are suitable for groups or individuals.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
The Healing Jar, by Wanda Brunstetter is the third book in the The Prayer Jar series. This book centers on Willis and Mary Ruth Lapp’s granddaughter, Lenore. An Amish schoolteacher, she has come to stay with Willis and Mary Ruth to help our around the house after Willis suffers a stroke. While other young women her age have married and are now raising families of their own, Lenore worries that she is well on her way to spinsterhood. That is, until she crosses paths with widower Jesse Schmucker, who is in desperate need of someone to watch his infant daughter while he works. Lenore volunteers to step in for the summer. It isn’t long before Lenore and Jesse are embarking on a courtship – but one of them doesn’t know that the romance is one-sided. The writer of the notes found in canning jars placed in the barn and basement of the Lapp property is still a mystery – at least for the time being -- but these notes help many of the characters in this story deal with heartbreak and disappointments. Each person going through a difficult time finds a message that directly speaks to them, and helps in their healing. Throughout the book, at various times, these characters pray to God – something that readers who regularly pray may not think twice about. However, for those new to Christianity – or even those who have gone to church for years, but have no idea how to pray – these prayers offer a valuable example to follow. Couple that with the solid examples of living a Christian life, as well as the wise advice offered to those characters on how to rely on and trust in the Lord for guidance, and it is little wonder that this book leaves the reader feeling refreshed and uplifted. By the end of the book, many questions are answered and mysteries are solved, and, as the title of this book suggests, healing has taken place in many lives. All in all, a very satisfying read! I received a copy of this book free of charge from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review of this book.
...my thoughts... The long awaited conclusion to Wanda E. Brunstetter's series, The Prayer Jars, is here! The Healing Jar is Lenore's story. One day in the barn, she found the long hidden prayer jar, and found solace in the words tucked inside. The mystery of this jar and another, found on a shelf in the dark basement, piqued the interests first of Michelle, then Sara. Now Lenore sits in wonder at these words that seem to coincide with her own thoughts and feelings. At the discovery of a third jar, the mystery begins to unfold as the discovery of who started these jars hidden for so long.
Carefully written, complex lives of a seemingly simple world are upturned and will never be the same. It is just like me to start a new book late at night, and I found myself unable to put it down. I enjoy Wanda E. Brunstetter's books for the way she makes her characters come to life. The Healing Jar is a fitting title for a book that touches the heart of this extended family. I laughed, cried and found wisdom in this book. I have a feeling that many a prayer jar will be started as more people read this wonderful series. I am sad to see this series end, but look forward to more books written by this beloved author.
THE HEALING JAR by Wanda E. Brunstetter is #3 in The Prayer Jars series and is a continuation of THE FORGIVING JAR #2 in the series. Although THE HEALING JAR can be read as a standalone, I recommend first reading THE HOPE JAR and THE FORGIVING JAR by Wanda E. Brunstetter.
This sweet, heartwarming novel set in a small community in Pennsylvania, will tug at your heartstrings. A young school teacher feels that she is destined to miss out on love and marriage. Sara longs to unlock a family secret. I enjoyed learning about the Amish way of life, and watching the relationships develop between the newly married couples. It was interesting to read the various Amish home remedies, some I have heard before and some were new to me. This book of love, families, faith, healing and second chances should appeal to those who enjoy reading Amish fiction, Christian fiction, and sweet romance novels.
My thanks to Barbour Publishing, Inc., Shiloh Run Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book, which enables me to write my unbiased thoughts and opinions in this review.
4 healthy stars ⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️
Posted on Goodreads August 26, 2019 NetGalley August 26, 2019 Savvy Reader August 26, 2019
First I must comment that the summation here to entice you to read the book is not quite accurate. It's okay but Lenore does not quickly fall in love nor finds the jar right away either. In all honesty this was my least favorite book of the three. There is a lot going on as all the series characters have portions of this story. Each couple has significant life changes going on. Mary Ruth and Willis are experiencing the natural decline and health issues of older people. Sara and Brad along with Michelle and Ezekiel are all adjusting to newlywed life and their careers. It's an overall good and interesting story that deals with faith, the messages from the past that are guides in the present and the mysteries surrounding Sara's mother. As for the romance in this book, I'm sorry to say I didn't feel it. I could take or leave Jesse, sadly. Perhaps you will feel differently when you read the story. I liked him as a character and as a father. Lenore is a strong character in the book and she deals with issues of career, loss and heartache. She is a help to her grandmother and a good example to others so a nice part of the overall story of faith. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC of the book. It is a good conclusion for the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is the 3rd book in the series of the Prayer Jar. Like always I loved the story and was not disappointed. Must be the favorite of the three, maybe because of questions finally answered. Yet I found it too hard to put it down with each page turned there was always a surprise. This is the story of the granddaughter of our sweet friends Willis and Mary Ruth Lapp. Daughter of their son. And even though it had a sad part in the story which I hoped it would of had a different outcome, it was full of love, happy times and Faith in God. Within the pages we are following Lenore's hard, sad moments, at which at times she too felt to give up but that's when she hold harder to her Faith in God.
Reading the story of Lenore I found how strong she was, that when things were falling left and right, she found peace and serenity in Family and God. I also, enjoyed how Mrs Wanda mentioned characters from the two previous books and their lives but without overpowering Lenore's story.
This story on my behalf was a great ending to the series and I found somewhat connect to these characters more. How if you keep having trust and Faith in God things always come out good. There is more to this story I would like to say but the words won't do it justice. I enjoyed how it had it's happily ever after even though at some point I thought it wasn't going to be one. It's one of these stories that you need to read it and you will enjoy it. Highly recommend it great addition to your collection.
Fans of Ms Brunstetter will really enjoy the third and final book in the Prayer Jar series.
Michelle, Lenore and Sara have all learned things by opening up and reading some of the scriptures from the jars. What they did not know is who was the person responsible for filling up these jars. That answer will be revealed in this final book. We will also learn some very interesting and important facts that will bring together some much-needed answers.
Best of all Lenore is really wondering if like her other relatives she will ever get married and have a family that she desperately wants. Grandma is very supportive and assures her if she keeps praying when the time is right she will find the person who she has been looking for.
Jesse Smucker is a widow and has decided to make a fresh start with his daughter Cindy and moves in with a relative to start a new chapter in his life. Will he find a mother for his daughter, a wife for himself or someone who will just be a helper to him by caring for Cindy and himself.
This is a final book in the series and although most of the questions are answered I wish the series did not end. Great read.
The third in the series, the author gives us another wonderful book that you can’t put down. We once again see characters from the previous two books, Mary Ruth, Willis, Michelle, Sara, and this one centers on Lenore, who is helping her grandparents. She is teaching school and wondering she will every find love within the community since she is older than many of the Amish girls when they marry.
Newly widowed Jesse and his baby daughter, Cindy, move to the community. We follow the lives of all these people and see how life leads them in many new different directions. We see how the Healing Jar the girls find, leads and directs them to answers from the scriptures and prayers written and buried in the jar.
This is a delightful book that you won’t want to put down until you see how everything is resolved. I highly recommend this book.
I received this book from Barbour and Netgalley and was under no obligation to submit a review.