Wanda Brunstetter has become one of my favorite writers
of Christian Amish fiction. I was
grateful for the opportunity to read her newest book, The Melody of Love,
which is co-authored with her daughter Lorine Brunstetter Van Corbach. This story is a little different from Wanda’s
other Amish fiction stories.
The Melody of Love tells the story of young
Amish widow, Amelia Miller and her eight-year-old son Micah. While Amelia was pregnant, her husband and parents
died in a terrible buggy accident. Eight
years later, Amelia is trying to navigate the challenges of raising a son as a
single parent. Recently, Micah was diagnosed
with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and that diagnosis helped Amelia understand
why her child’s behavior was different than other children. Amelia desired to better equip herself and
Micah, so she signed up for a support group for parents and children with ASD. She hoped they could both learn new skills that
would help them navigate ASD and its impact on their everyday life.
As a young widow and parent, Amelia didn’t have any hope or
expectations of remarrying. But she was
committed to parenting her son Micah well.
Even though she was in the middle of the summer support group classes,
Amelia decided to attend a family member’s wedding with her sisters. Her brother and sister-in-law would be caring for
Micah while she was gone.
Amelia didn’t anticipate the changes that might come her way
over the summer. Developing a friendship
with an English woman, or the chance to love again with a man who lived a state
away. How could this all work out? Would it be worth the risk? How would it impact her son? Will Amelia be able to conquer her fear of
loss? Or will she settle for life as she’s
known it without unnecessary risks?
My favorite thing about Wanda’s books are the characters and
relationships she develops. The Melody
of Love was especially interesting with the autism spectrum disorder woven
in to the story. I had no idea that autism
was something that effected the Amish community. I appreciated learning about autism and how
it impacts the children, families and their communities. It was interesting learning about ways that ASD
children and their parents can employ new skills or methods to help their
children cope with the sensory overload they experience.
This book has likeable characters who are caring, loving and
committed to one another. There were a
few times I was frustrated with Amelia and Christian and their fear of
rejection and taking a risk. I liked their
friends Macie and Aaron and their willingness to lovingly speak truth to their friends. Love the setting of the story, always seems peaceful
and beautiful.
If you enjoy Amish Christian fiction, or romance, and seeing
growing relationships with family and friends, you may want to read The
Melody of Love by Wanda E Brunstetter and Lorine Brunstetter
Van Corbach.
I would like to thank Barbour Publishing and NetGalley
for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Melody of
Love by Wanda E Brunstetter and Lorine Brunstetter Van
Corbach. I was under no obligation to
give a favorable review.
