A Castle of Sand by Wanda E Brunstetter – Likeable and Interesting Characters, Enjoyable Setting

 

Author, Wanda E Brunstetter is one of my favorite writers of Amish fiction.  I enjoy how she develops the characters and weaves a story together.  I looked forward to reading her newest novel, A Castle of Sand. 

 

This story seems quite different than other Amish fiction.  Instead of a typical rural Amish community, it takes place at the vacation spot, Pinecraft, in Sarasota, Florida.  Instead of telling a story about a family and their local community, this one focuses on three main characters.  It’s not your typical romance.

 

A Castle of Sand tells the story of a young widow, Sharon.  She was devastated by the death of her husband and has gone into a deep depression.  Sharon returned home to live with her family.  While well-intentioned, her mother’s help may not be the support and encouragement Sharon needs to get better.  Not only did Sharon lose her husband, but she also lost her faith.  After talking with a friend, Sharon decides that spending some time away in Florida might help her broken heart to heal.  Despite her mother’s protests, Sharon makes plans to get away.

 

In Florida, she meets an older woman who looks familiar.  Iva happens to be from the community where Sharon and her husband had lived.  Iva befriends Sharon, who is a little shy and wants to be left alone.  But over time, Iva draws Sharon out to experience some fun, see the sights in Florida, and create new memories.  Later, Iva persuades her nephew Peter to join her and take care of some home repairs.  Peter is also nursing a wounded heart in the wake of his fiancée leaving him.  Iva hopes that Sharon and Peter will develop a friendship or something deeper that will help their hearts to mend. 

 

By far, my favorite character was Iva.  She was caring, compassionate, and patient.  Iva has a strong faith that has grown deeper with the trials she’s faced.  She loves adventure and wants to spend time with her many friends.  She seemed younger than her age.  Peter was a nice young man.  Because of his recent loss he was sensitive and caring towards Sharon.  I really struggled with Sharon, but over time and with much patience and effort from her friends, Sharon started to see the clouds of depression lifting.

 

Will Sharon work to regain her life and find joy?  Will she continue to deny God’s existence?  Will she recognize that loss and pain are part of life?  Will she learn to look at life anew?  Will she allow God to help heal her broken heart?  How will Iva and Peter fit into her future?  Or will they part and look back at their time together with fond memories?  Will their friendship last? 

 

A Castle of Sand by Wanda E Brunstetter is not your typical Amish romance.  I took my time reading this book because some weighty things that were being worked out; relationships, friendships, emotions, loss, faith, and rebuilding lives.  My favorite character was Iva; she’s the kind of friend I would love to have in my life. 

 

If you enjoy Amish fiction, you may want to read A Castle of Sand by Wanda E Brunstetter.  An Amish story with some twists in a different setting. 

 

I would like to thank Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of A Castle of Sand by Wanda E Brunstetter.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.  A Castle of Sand by Wanda E Brunstetter will be available October 1, 2026.

 

From Outside In

Depression is my name

I’m otherwise known as the blues

I quietly slip in

Sometimes unnoticed

Before long I consume a person’s life

From the outside in

Soon the person you love

Seems to have slipped away

Consumed within themselves

Unable to express their all-consuming pain

Their world has shrunk

From the outside in

All hope seems to be gone

For they can’t see beyond

Help can only come from the Compassionate One

In faith pray without ceasing for the one you love

For only God can break depression’s chains

From the outside in

by Susan Wachtel

January 8, 2016

This may seem like a dark way to start the New Year, but I felt led to write this poem after seeing someone struggle with depression.  I want to bring hope to those who feel helpless as they watch a loved one’s world shrink.  Truly God can break those chains and restore hope. 

Soul Talk

Oh my soul
Here I am adrift
In a sea of wild emotions

Hope has turned to despair
Depression is closing in
Oh may I not fall into the sin of unbelief

Lord…I feel as though I have been exiled
Banished from Your presence
May I not given in to my feelings

Soul…I must take every thought captive
Find encouragement in God’s word
May I firmly cinch the Belt of Truth around me

When I feel as though I’m drowning
May I reach out and cling
To the Rock Who is higher than I

When I feel abandoned
May I remember Your promises
Assured that You will never leave, nor forsake me

When the darkness descends
May You be my Bright & Morning Star
The Light unto my path

When taunted, “Where is your God?”
May I remember…while He is invisible
God is never inactive

May I seek You Lord
Bask in the glory of Your presence
See my life in light of Your purpose and plan

May I find hope in Your radiance
Comfort in Your word
Peace in Your presence


Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 14, 2009

Have you had the experience that when the Pastor is preaching…you feel certain that the message is just for you? That’s what I experienced today. I felt as though Pastor Philip De Courcy was preaching a message designed especially for me. I’ll bet you a lot of folks felt that way this morning.

It was the right message and was in God’s perfect timing.

Pastor Philip preached a message out of Psalm 42 -43 on despair and depression. The word of God not only comforts and acts as a healing balm but it challenges us to “get a grip” . In this instance…take every thought captive.

This poem was motivated by and composed from the notes I took from today’s sermon.