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"Return to the Troyer farm where Heidi welcomes six new cooking class students who experience the healing hand of God. Despite stressful changes occurring in their lives, Lyle and Heidi once again open their Ohio home up to those seeking to learn about Amish cooking. This time a teenager helping her divorced dad cook for the family, a caterer needing new recipes, a food critic, a hunter looking to impress his buddies, a wife given the class as an unwanted gift, and a mailman lured in by the aroma of good cooking gather around Heidi's table. During each class, Heidi teaches culinary skills, but it is her words of wisdom that have a profound effect on her students--though, this time Heidi's own hurting heart will need some healing nourishment."--Amazon.com… (more)
User reviews
We meet the new students, and yes I had instant dislike to some of them, but keep reading. We go in-depth into their lives, and find out why they are like
I loved that we are updated on the people we meet in the first book, but Kendra has devastating news for Heidi, so sad, but there are the lives of the others we met and find out how things are going for them.
Will this new group be as affected by Heidi and her sweet ministering, or will the first impressions be what happens?
We finish with some yummy recipes, and they will soon be making it to my table, especially the chicken crumb basket!
I loved some of the compassion some of these people showed to their fellow students, and the main lesson here is Forgiveness, so very hard to do, and how Heidi is able to lead them.
Another page turning read that you won’t be able to put down once that first page is turned.
I received this book through Net Galley and Barbour Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.
Amish Cooking Class - The Blessing by Wanda E. Brunstetter, © 2017
The Amish Cooking Class series, Book 2
Releases August 1, 2017
This is the second book in The Amish Cooking Class series. Book #1: The Amish Cooking Class - The Seekers
My Review:
In Book 1 of this series, there
Others in Heidi's class share their lives ~ unexpectedly ~ as they become more comfortable with themselves and their decisions outside of class. Heidi's addition of a Scripture verse on the back of the recipe note card goes home with them ~ and their hearts. Praying for them during the week, Heidi wonders which one or ones the Scripture is meant for as they return for the continuation of the six cooking lessons.
I liked how one member of the class aided another anonymously to relieve their overload. The recipient hears a conversation and is thankful to be able to share appreciation. Beyond Heidi's recipes, lives are touched. Not initially realizing their isolation, new friendships are formed.
The author's story is conversational as the daily happenings of the five participants are followed and interchanged within a chapter. Characters from the first book are intermittently referred to in continuation of their lives and interaction to Heidi and her husband.
Heidi's recipes she taught in this second class are included in the back of this book. You will look forward to 200+ practical recipes in the spiral bound Amish Cooking Class Cookbook releasing in February 2018, and... book 3 in this series: Amish Cooking Class - The Celebration releases then too!
***Thank you to Barbour's Review Crew for inviting me to join in this second book and sending me a copy. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
This is very typical of Ms Brunstetter's writing and will be beloved by her fans.
On the other hand I had a little trouble following the many secondary
This book was more like reading a series of short stories.
ARC supplied by publishe
As each student was introduced, we get a little background on their life. Each one comes from different places, but they each were seeking, acceptance, love, friendship and for some , forgiveness. I loved how each character blended well into the story. I have to say that I wanted to be in the kitchen as one of the students. I could feel how much Heidi loved to share her cooking skills . She made everyone feel welcome and had that tender touch of listening and guiding her students to overcome their obstacles. It was nice to have a few previous students visit in the story. The author has a wonderful style of writing which brings readers right into the story. After each class, Heidi gives the students a recipe card with a scripture on the back. I loved how those scriptures impacted their lives.
I don't have a favorite character because I felt they each played a key role in the overall story. Each character has something they are dealing with that centers around forgiveness and disappointment. At the end of the book the author has included discussion questions. I loved reading them and thinking about my answers to them. As an added bonus recipes are included at the end also. I know there are several I am going to try. Overall the book was very touching and I loved how the characters were able to open up and trust each other. I am looking forward to the next book in this wonderful series.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.
The Blessing is well-written and engaging. I was immediately drawn into the story and I did not want it to end. I was captivated by this novel (which rarely happens). The Blessing contains characters that could be my own neighbor, relative, or mail carrier. Each of them have problems or situations that individuals experience every day. I thought the characters were well-developed and thought out by the author. I like seeing how each of the characters change over the course of the cooking classes. I was glad that the author updated readers on the individuals from The Seekers (they are nicely woven into the story). My rating for The Blessing is 5 out of 5 stars. I do recommend reading The Seekers before starting The Blessing (you will not regret reading either book). I found The Seekers to be heartwarming and uplifting. It is the type of novel that fills me with hope (which is desperately needed in our mixed-up society). I really appreciated the Bible verses the author included in the book. The enhanced the story and were meaningful. There are recipes and discussion questions at the end of the book. If you like to read Amish or Christian novels, I recommend reading The Blessing. I cannot wait to read the next book in the Amish Cooking Class series.
The story's premise is about an Amish couple, Heidi and Lyle Troyer, living in Walnut Creek, Ohio. They have been married about 9 years and do not have children. Lyle is an auctioneer while Heidi teaches cooking classes in her kitchen. At the opening of the story, Heidi is anticipating the birth of her friend's baby, which she and Lyle were going to adopt. Kendra had been living with them for several months now. Kendra really wanted to keep her baby, but she was a single young person and it wouldn't be the best thing for the little one if she couldn't support it.
Just as Heidi had decided not to teach another class, in preparation of the babe's arrival, Kendra's parents reversed their decision not to help her rear the child, and suddenly Heidi finds herself bereft of the baby she wanted to adopt. She decided to go ahead and teach another cooking class to help her stay mentally occupied while she grieved her loss.
We eventually become acquainted with the six members of this new cooking class, and they are as diversified as they come! There's an overburdened high school student, a custodian, a food critic, a mother in a shaky marriage, a widower, and a caterer. It's the clashing and meshing of these lives that makes this an intriguing read.
What I appreciate most about this book is that regardless of Heidi's background, she is centered on honoring God with her life. She is genuine and caring, someone that her class of students need in their lives. Without being preachy or overly Amish in her behavior with her students, she quietly relayed to them what each person needed at this point in their life journey, even for the one who cared nothing for God. I loved how all these individual stories wrapped up neatly at the conclusion of the book. If at first you feel the story moves along slowly while we become acquainted with all the characters, be patient. The character development is worth the wait.
The second thing I enjoyed about the book are the cooking tips and recipes included in the back. I am always open to learning something new, and I wasn't disappointed. If you enjoy cozy character-driven stories that warm your heart, then this is the book for you. I enthusiastically recommend it.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
The Blessing is book 2 of Amish Cooking Class and Wanda E. Brunstetter has once again weaved a
I received a complimentary copy of The Blessing from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.