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Fans of best-selling author Wanda E. Brunstetter will be delighted with the third and final book of her Daughters of Lancaster series, The Bishop’s Daughter. Brunstetter points out in a study guide, “This is a story of triumph over tragedy, faith where there was mistrust, forgiveness instead of blame, and unconditional love.”

The Bishop’s Daughter is a story about grace. The Amish bishop’s daughter, Leona, is off limits to an outsider like Jimmy Scott. His upbringing is not as far removed from the Amish as it may appear, and readers will find themselves racing through the pages to the dramatic conclusion. Jimmy never expects that his search for his Amish family would lead to a forbidden romance with Leona.

Will the forbidden romances lead to heartache for both of these young people? Can Jimmy find forgiveness for the only father he has over known? Will he ever be reunited with the Amish family he never had a chance to know? The answers, of course, can be found in The Bishop’s Daughter.

Leona also faces another heartbreak after her father’s accident. How does the family deal with his handicap? She had always looked up to him for his wisdom and that was no longer possible. Who would she turn to for comfort and advice?

When asked what character she was most drawn to, Brunstetter replied, I was especially drawn to Leona, as she faced each new struggle that came along – especially when her father’s injury affected not only the lives of his family, but also the lives of everyone in their community.”

Explaining some of the life lessons readers might identify with, Brunstetter replied, “Some of my characters had to learn to identify with the unexpected events that came into their lives – some in a physical sense, the way Jacob’s accident occurred – others in an emotional sense, as when Jimmy learned he was not who he thought he was, and also Jim, who had to face the unpleasant truth about himself.”

Her description of the powerful emotions of her two major characters makes this third and last book an exceptional one. Here again are more life lessons for the reader: “Leona needed to be willing to accept her father as he was after his terrible accident, and to trust God to bring something good out of a difficult situation.” In a similar fashion, “Learning to forgive someone who had wronged him and allowing God to work in that person’s life were some of the things Jimmy had to learn concerning his English father.”

Readers will once again have more insight in the Amish way of living. They will also gain a deeper understanding of God’s grace. The Bishop’s Daughter is extremely well written and makes a wonderful summer read.

Brunstetter enjoys writing about the Amish because of the peaceful, simple life they lead. Her interest in the Amish and other plain sects began when she married her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church in Pennsylvania. Wanda has made numerous trips to Lancaster County and has several friends living near that area. She has written several novels, novellas, stories, articles, poems, and puppet scripts.

When asked about future books Brunstetter replied, “I’m working on a brand new three-book series that will be set in Holmes County, Ohio. The first book, A Sister’s Secret, is scheduled to be out in the spring of 2007.

“Also in September of 2006, A Merry Heart, the first book in my Brides of Lancaster County series, with three other books following one month apart. Each of the books will have many added new scenes, as well as an Amish recipe at the end of each book.”

The Bishop’s Daughter is now available in local Christian bookstores and on Choice bookracks.

Related Authors

• Wanda E. Brunstetter

Related Books

• Bishop's Daughter, The (Trade Paper)

• Quilter's Daughter, The (Trade Paper)

• Storekeeper's Daughter, The (Trade Paper)