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    The Seekers
    The Seekers
    The Seekers
    Audiobook11 hours

    The Seekers

    Written by Wanda E Brunstetter

    Narrated by Rebecca Gallagher

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    Will Heidi's cooking lessons turn into life lessons for five unlikely students?

    Heidi Troyer cooks up the idea of teaching classes in the art of Amish cuisine in her Holmes County, Ohio, home. But is it a recipe for drama when five very different men and women answer the advertisement?

    Join a class of unlikely Ohioans who take cooking lessons at Lyle and Heidi Troyer's Amish farm. A woman engaged to marry, an expectant mother estranged from her family, a widowed mom seeking to simplify, a Vietnam vet who camps on the Troyer's farm, and an Amish widower make up the mismatched lot of students.

    Class members share details of their disappointing lives, work to solve a mystery, and stir some romance into the pot. Soon Heidi's cooking lessons turn into life lessons as they each share their challenges. . .and their souls are healed one meal at a time. Is this what God had in mind when Heidi got the idea for cooking classes?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOasis Audio
    Release dateMay 13, 2017
    ISBN9781621887218
    Author

    Wanda E Brunstetter

    New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written more than 100 books translated in four languages. With over 12 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nation's most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards. Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs. When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com. 

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    Reviews for The Seekers

    4.5/5

    56 ratings9 reviews

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    • 4/5
      This is a sweet gentle read. I am not usually one to pick up Amish fiction but I have heard so many good things about Wanda Brunstetter. I was sent the second book in this series to review but I had to get the first one to read before I read that one because it is how I roll. I am glad I did. I am starting book two tonight and cannot wait to continue the story. I will let you know when I finish the second one and post a review on the blog when I am done.
    • 5/5
      I have listened to several books by this author and this is the best one so far. If you are looking for an encouraging and heartwarming read, you need to read this.
    • 5/5
      I absolutely love Wanda Brunstetter and her work. I was so excited to get the chance to read and review this book, her first in the Amish Cooking Class series. Setting down to read it, I knew I would be in for fun, but just how much, I had no idea! This book is filled with laughter, romance, faith, hope, inspiration and lots of gut cooking! Ms. Brunstetter once again creates a novel filled with heart warming characters, plot lines that keep you hooked and messages woven that will leave you thinking and reflecting long after the book is closed. All the characters within this novel face a different challenge in their lives, but through faith and coming together to cook, Ms. Brunstetter sends us on a ride that leaves us smiling at these characters that have come to try and learn to cook. This is beyond a 5 star book. It’s the first of the series, and I’m already wishing I had book 2, The Blessing. If you are looking for a fast paced, inspirational book about the simple life, look no further than this fabulous book. As a bonus, you’ll get some great recipes from the teacher in the book! Yum! Bravo, once again, Ms. Brunstetter. Bravo.*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Review Crew and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
    • 5/5
      Title: The Seekers (The Cooking Class #1)Author: Wanda BrunstetterPages: 320Year: 2017Publisher: Shiloh PressMy rating 5 out of 5 stars.While I know the author is very prolific in telling her stories, she is brand new to me. I am glad to get to know her writing through this story as she is an excellent storyteller! Here is a unique tale that weaves together real lifelike characters with all sorts of different backgrounds from an unwed single mom to a Vietnam veteran just to name a few. Being an avid reader, this is the first time I remember a veteran being a character in an Amish story and the author does wonderful job in portraying the hard time soldiers have when they return home. Heidi is an Amish woman who begins teaching cooking classes is barren with lots of time on her hands and a husband unwilling to adopt because he believes God will give them children. The other students who attend her class all have unique and dissimilar backgrounds and experiences. With each class and recipe, Heidi shares a Scripture verse on the recipe cards she writes out for her students.Throughout the book what kept me glued was the way the author let me see into each character’s life, including small peeks into their backgrounds. I got to enjoy reading how they begin as absolute strangers and progress to a small knit group that shows care and concern for each other. On top of that, it was interesting to see how the marriage between Heidi and her husband Lyle changed as they worked though their disagreements as well as loved, encouraged and walked through life together.I highly recommend reading this story to see how such different people can come together and learning to care about more than themselves while learning to cook! Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.”
    • 5/5
      This is the first book in a new series and it starts off with a wonderful cast of characters. The author once again has written a story that captures the essence of human spirit. I especially liked this book because it gives readers a glimpse into Amish cooking. Each character comes alive with the stroke of words that eloquently glide across the pages. I was so enthralled with the book that I read it in one day. Heidi fills her days with keeping a well kept home, gardening and making delicious meals for her husband. She is happy except for the emptiness of not having a child. To keep herself busy and help bring in extra income, she offers cooking classes in her home. I know if I saw a flyer offering Amish cooking classes, I would be rushing to sign up. The author described the food that is made with such vividness that I could smell the dishes as they were cooking. The people that sign up for the class have come to learn how to cook, but each one will walk away with so much more. I instantly loved each character and how they all were looking for companionship, acceptance, love and encouragement. As the group started getting to know each other, there were friendships started and a bond that grows between each one. I found it very fascinating that Heidi and her husband , Lyle willingly let a complete stranger park his RV on their land . Ron was my favorite character because he could be any of us who look for forgiveness and a need to be liked. He is a man who is struggling to survive and looks for help wherever he can find it. I loved how the author shows how vulnerable he really is and the secret that He has lived with for a long time. His character is very relatable because we have felt lost at sometime . Will he fit into the cooking class ? Can he open up and find the unconditional love that God has for him? There are other characters in the book that remind us how much rejection and loneliness can affect us. Each character was written with great passion and I came to like everyone of them and cheered them on as Heidi showed them grace and compassion. This is one book you don't want to miss. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to read about healing, forgiveness, friendship and His love for everyone. Don't miss the delicious recipes at the end. There are also discussion questions included that help you dig deeper as you reflect on your life. "God commands us to forgive others, just as He forgives us."I received a copy of this book from the author and Barbour Publishing . The review is my honest opinion.
    • 5/5
      The Amish Cooking Class: The Seekers is the first book in a new series by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Heidi Troyer has been married to Lyle for eight years, and they have yet to be blessed with children. Heidi has always enjoyed cooking. After reading a letter from her Aunt Emma, who holds quilting classes in her home, Heidi decides to host a cooking class. Heidi posts an ad advertising her classes and waits to see who God brings her way. Charlene Higgins is a kindergarten teacher and newly engaged. Charlene is unable to cook and hopes these lessons will help. Loretta Donnelly is a widow with two children. Loretta has always been fascinated with all things Amish and this is a way for her to learn some new dishes (and have adult company). Eli Miller lives next to the Troyer’s and is a widower (he misses his wife, Mavis very much). Eli needs to learn some cooking skills. He is tired of eating sandwiches. Kendra Perkins is eighteen and pregnant. Kendra is living with her friend, Dorie since her parents insisted she leave their home. Dorie believes that the cooking classes will be good for Kendra. Ron Hensley sees the ad for the cooking classes and believes the Troyer farm will be a good place to park his RV. Ron travels from Amish town to Amish town relying on the hospitality of others. Ron’s intentions are not good, but maybe spending time with the Troyer’s will change his outlook on life. These individuals all come together to learn how to cook, but end up with so much more. The Amish Cooking Class: The Seekers is well-written and engaging. I enjoyed the characters and the setting (in Ohio). Each person comes away from the cooking class with a new perspective. I appreciated the life lessons presented in the story. I give The Amish Cooking Class: The Seekers 4.5 out of 5 stars. When I finished this book, I was left with a good feeling. The book is a little expected (which is why I took off .5), but I took pleasure in reading it. The Amish Cooking Class: The Seekers is a nice change of pace (good break from reality). It is a sweet and gratifying novel. There are recipes from the story included at the end of the book. I look forward to the next book in this series – The Blessing.
    • 5/5
      While peace and love of life always seem to surround the life of the Amish, there is also room for danger in this Ohio town. In "The Seekers" by Wanda E. Brunstetter, It happens at the house of Heidi and her husband, Lyle. He is a stranger with RV problems who stops at their home. He is invited to remain on the premises until the RV is ready to move him forward again. How nice of these busy, kind people to give such an invitation. However, what is the stranger really like? You have to wonder if the time of acting as a good Samaritan has come and gone during an earlier era. Sadly while God still works miracles and still answers the prayers of those who pray in the novel, there is the fact that people are led by their fleshly temptations. Those who call themselves God's lambs must suffer in unexpected way. It is time to grow vigilant.There is also another question to ponder. If life has hurt one person, have they the right to harm others? For example, there is a Vietnam vet in the novel, he has been torn apart with war scars and afterwards, family problems. Perhaps, his sacrifices give him the right to take the heaven of someone else and make it hell. Wanda Brunstetter's book brings to mind the words boundaries, please. People who love God, family and the small pleasures of life like cooking, quilting and visiting your neighbor. do not wish to limit their way of giving.In some way while there are troubles suffered among the community, there are always the glistening rays of hope and love. Therefore the novel is not dreary. It is exciting and adventurous as we learn about the lives of a widow and widower. These two were my favorite characters. I wondered how is it possible to go on after a wife or husband dies. What makes a person want to get up and cook or do anything else in a given day? Each day, for them, is a new journey.These lives caused me to come away wanting to visit the small towns in Ohio like Sugar Creek and and Mt. Hope. Kendra and other character like Eli seem like friends. The author in some simple and wise way shares how to become a good neighbor and how to become a problem solver by praying to the Good Lord above. "The Seekers" is a quilt made by the needle of words. In my mind, it is a patchwork quilt. You never know what might happen along the way as you share take a breath in to share a laugh and a little bit of Haystack.
    • 5/5
      I found myself fully engrossed in this new book, and kept page turning to try and find the out come of this uncommon group of participants in Heidi Troyer’s new cooking class.What a range of characters we have here, and at first could see no common denominator to them, except learning to cook. Now the idea of taking cooking lessons from an Amish woman does hold appeal, and could see myself doing so, and I can cook.When Ron showed up and decided to stay for the lessons, my mind was screaming “No”, and yet he did add to the drama. While these students didn’t air their dirty laundry at the classes we were gifted to their lives between the classes.Besides being gifted with some delicious Amish recipes, and I am going to try them, we are shown compassion and understanding, for all, even when we want to get rid of one of them.A really fun read in this new series, and I cannot wait for the next book in this series.I received this book through Net Galley and Barbour Publishing, Inc., and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 5/5
      The Seekers by much-loved author Wanda Brunstetter, is first in her new series, Amish Cooking Class. If the rest of the books in the series are as good as the first, this reader can't wait. Heidi, childless and with time on her hands, has an idea for a new venture--teaching a class on cooking Amish foods. A small but eclectic group signs up and the idea becomes a reality. Englischers and Amish, an unmarried pregnant young woman, a soon-to-be married gal, a widower and a widow, along with a somewhat questionable character make up the class. The author keeps the reader's interest as these six individuals interact and begin to share their lives. Some situations are a little predictable and yet there are some twists and turns that keep the pages turning. There is a little tension as a bull begins to snort and charge at a young girl and some humor as a water hose has a mind of its own and splashes a couple of women. Although a sweet story, the author expertly touches on some very real and heartbreaking subjects as she writes of childlessness, difficult relationships, PTSD and grief The Seekers is a charming story of people from different cultures and circumstances finding friendship and faith in a fun setting. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed are my own.