Unusual setting for an Amish story -- The Hawaiian Quilt

Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, even Florida . . . but Hawaii?  Not the setting you would expect for an Amish story.  But that is exactly where Wanda and Jean Brunstetter take us in their latest Amish novel -- The Hawaiian Quilt.

Mandy Frey has a strong desire to visit Hawaii before she makes the all-important decision to join the Amish church.  She and her three best friends decide to travel by train from their home in Indiana and then take a cruise to visit several of the Hawaiian islands.  After Mandy and Ellen miss the boat at one of the ports of call, they end up making an extended stay before returning home and being faced with unexpected decisions.

The Hawaiian Quilt is an enjoyable story, with several interesting characters.  Mixed with some traditional Amish elements is a lot of Hawaiian flavor.  Some of the details and dialogue tend to bog down the flow of the story somewhat, but all in all it is a nice Amish story.  Difficult decisions about faith, church, and family keep the interest level up, and even the title leaves you wondering how the quilt will play into the plot until near the end.  Amish fiction fans should enjoy this latest Brunstetter book.

Thanks to Wanda Brunstetter and her publisher for providing a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Mandy Frey has always longed to see Hawaii, so before joing the Amish church and considering marriage to her boyfriend, Gideon, she convinces three friends to join her on a cruise of the Hawaiian Islands.

Captured by the enchanting scenery and culture in Hawaii, their vacation turns into an extended stay.  Special friendships are soon made, but home, family, and Gideon await Mandy back in Indiana.

Will time away from the Amish community change Mandy's view of the world, her faith, and true love?  Does a Hawaiian quilt have the power to bring two hearts together?

About the Authors:

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of nearly 70 books with more than 8 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, USA Today, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine, USA Today, Newsweek, Good Housekeeping, and Country Woman. Wanda’s books have been translated into four foreign languages.  For the writing of some of her most recent books, Wanda is joined by her daughter-in-law Jean.