4 Short Romances Set in the Sarasota, Florida, Amish Community
Healing at the Beach!
Be prepared to be captivated by the stories of four Amish sisters, and the choices they make.
The Seashell Cake by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Leora left family, friends, and her Amish community to live in Sarasota, Florida. She has an illness called SAD which causes depression in the months that do not have lots of sunshine.
After feeling much better in the sunshine state, Leora has determined she will never leave. She thinks making that decision will prevent her from getting married because the pickings there are slim since most of the single men are tourists.
Then, she meets John who is on a three-month extended vacation. He is everything she has wanted, except he is returning to the business he owns in Michigan, so, she must not let herself have feelings for him.
The Beach Ball by Jean Brunstetter
Violet wants to experience life away from her Amish parents, so she goes to Florida, and stays with her married sister, Leora. While there, she tries out English (non-Amish) clothing and considers dating English guys, too!
Then, she experiences man trouble. Levi is Amish, but unlike any Amish man she has been around. She also meets Dan, a Christian, not Amish, but a very nice guy.
Violet is pressured by her parents to date Amish men, and join the church, but she enjoys the freedom of dress and lifestyle she has in Florida. She is torn by what decision she will make.
Fragments of a Sand Dollar by Richelle Brunstetter
Francine has no desire to leave the Amish, but ever since she and Matthew broke up, she has felt down in the dumps. She goes to stay with her sister, Leora, hoping the change will do her good.
She meets Lucas at the beach. He is not Amish, and is a stranger, but on a whim, decides to go out with him.
Lucas lives a fast life, and tries to push Francine away from the Amish life. Secretly, he is a gambler, and makes a terrible wager that involves her.
She tells Lucas he needs God’s love to be happy. But she wonders if she has gotten over her head with him.
A Sarasota Sunset by Lorine Brunstetter Van Corbach
After a traumatic breakup, Alana heads to Florida to stay with her sister. Once there, she thinks about living there permanently, and if she really wants to join the Amish church.
Soon she finds a job she enjoys that lets her sell her art work there, too. She also meets James. He is not Amish, but a Christian and soon to be teaching in a Christian school.
When her fears start keeping her away from dates with James, she wonders if history is repeating itself.
My Conclusion:
All the tales will delight you as you see what happens with each sister. The stories are clean, feature the girl’s relationship with God, and includes a recipe from each author–I loved they were all from the same family. This five-star book will be enjoyed by all–Amish fans or not!
Thank you, Barbour Publishing and NetGalley, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Sisters by the Sea,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.
