Letters of Wisdom - (Friendship Letters) by Wanda E Brunstetter (Paperback)

Letter writing is how many Amish communicate with family and friends that live in other areas. This is book three in The Friendship Letters series, but each can be read alone because each has its on set of problems to work through. This novel tackles a very sensitive subject but one that is needed to be talked about in Amish as well as English homes. Irma was physically, emotionally and mentally abused as a child by her stepfather. She felt she was unloved by her mother because she never stepped in to help when she was being beaten. Her scars run deep and still as a married woman and mother, she has horrific nightmares of the past. Irma’s friend Doretta is one she writes to for encouragement and advice when she has these flashback episodes. Her husband is away a lot with work, leaving Irma alone to handle chores and the three children they have by herself. She begins showing abusive ways to her own children. It must stop, but how? I felt her pain and cringed when reading about what was done to her as a child. I could empathize in that I had abuse also as a child but on a much smaller scale. Healing can happen but the memories never go away. The conclusion to this story was a healing balm and gave this reader a smile. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the author but was not required to write a review.

This book is the third book in The Friendship Series. It starts with Irma who was abused by her stepfather when she was younger. When he dies, she decides to go back to where she once lived with her mom, stepfather and siblings to attend his funeral. Irma hopes it will bring her closer. But when she returns home things get worse. She starts abusing her children. Can the help of her friends letters give her the wisdom she needs to seek help. Will she be able to forgive and mend her relationships. This book is a great book and shows how abuse affects the whole family. It has great scripture to go along with this story. This is my favorite book out of this series

This is book three in The Friendship Letters series and I must say it is my favorite. The author handles the subject of abuse with finesse and tenderness. It is heartbreaking at times and made me weep, but with admitting you need help and prayer healing can come. I love how letters between friends in this series is so helpful and shows what genuine friendship means. I was thankful Irma had an understanding and loving husband. I loved the characters and felt extreme empathy for Irma. It was wonderful to watch the journey to forgiveness and healing. Even if you aren’t a big fan of Amish fiction I suggest giving this a try as it is well done and captures your heart. It shows how abuse has a ripple effect even to ones who are not the target of the abuse. I was saddened to see the author actually experienced abuse and wrote this from firsthand knowledge. I was blessed to read this. I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

This series has been very enjoyable but this book will always be my favorite. The author tackles a sensitive subject with compassion and opens the doors for healing from those who have been through a similar situation. I appreciate the candid look at child abuse and how it affects many. It was particularly emotional for me as I was a victim like Irma. Irma was so easy to relate to because we have similar childhoods. Her abuse came from her stepfather but mine was from my father and older brother. Irma still has memories from what she endured but when she marries and moves away she almost feels free for the first time. Lingering deep in her heart is pain, bitterness and unforgiveness. She has carried this secret for awhile. Like Irma’s mother, mine stood silently by and did nothing. The pain of not feeling safe and protected by her mother is hard to understand at times. Irma can’t understand why her mother allowed this to happen to her and never once step in to stop it. Irma’s husband LaVern is away from home a lot due to his job. He has no idea that Irma is feeling stress around the children. He is gentle and loving with his wife but he has no idea of the secrets she has been hiding. When a death in the family sends Irma back home there was definite tension between her and her mother. Irma’s mother feels guilty for what happened to her oldest daughter at the hands of her second husband. She tried to stop him but his anger turned to her. She hid bruises from everyone and I understand her feeling of helplessness. My mother did not step in at all for me and for a very long time in my life I was angry with her. The story shows how Irma is becoming more angry towards her children and begins to abuse them. This broke my heart. I wanted to sit next to Irma and tell her that she needs to seek help right away. Her bitterness is destroying her life and causing her children to be afraid of her. I’m so thankful that her dear friend continued to send letters to Irma and encourage her to seek help. I will leave the ending of this story for readers to see what the outcome is. As I end my review I will share a few personal thoughts. For many years I suffered through physical and emotional abuse by my father and oldest brother. For years I cut ties to my family. I was angry that the two people who should have kept me safe didn’t. They let me know that I was not loved by them and had never wanted me. As I finished reading Irma’s story I am thankful for the author for sharing this story. Abuse happens everyday. But there is freedom when we forgive and are forgiven. Please make sure you read the Dear Reader section at the end of the book. It will help you understand why this story is so personal to the author. I’m grateful for the author being transparent and helping me continue to forgive my parents and oldest brother everyday. “Bitterness blocks healing and prevents the goodness of God from shining through in our life.” I received a copy of this book from the publisher and author. The review is my own opinion.

"Letters of Wisom" is wriiten by Wanda Brunstetter. It is thre third book in a series. She writes of Irma, who wqas abused as a child. Doretta, her childhood friend, sends her wisdom through her letter wriiting. Can Irma change? Thank you Wanda for wititng this book about a heartfelt subject.

This third book in The Friendship Letters series is a memorable way to end the series. Letters are still being exchanged between three longtime friends but Irma's letters to Doretta have become cries for help. Memories of the physical and emotional abuse that she'd hidden since childhood threaten to destroy the life she's built with her husband and three young children. How does an Amish woman admit that she's repeating the same abusive actions that have haunted her for years? Letters of Wisdom is an enlightening story about the long-lasting effects endured by the victims of abuse. I realize that it could be an emotional trigger for some readers, but author Wanda E. Brunstetter is never graphic in her depiction of these actions. She reminds us that abuse can be passed from generation to generation and that counseling is often needed to break the cycle. Irma's story illustrates that hurt and resentment can turn to hatred if allowed to fester, and it reinforces the need for compassion, forgiveness, and healing that can only come through faith and prayer. I was deeply touched by this story, and I applaud Brunstetter for her willingness to tackle this subject! I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.

Part of the Friendship Letters Series, Letters of Wisdom shares the story of Irma Miller, a young wife and mother with a secret abusive past. She thought that moving away from home and starting her own family would allow her to forget, but when her abusive step-father dies and she returns for the funeral, all the old emotions come bubbling to the surface. Irma finds herself sinking further and further into emotional turmoil, beginning to repeat the mistakes of the past with her own children. Can she recover from the abuse? Or will the cycle continue? Author Wanda E. Brunstetter continues her Friendship Letters series, addressing tough topics in a tender manner. This series has already addressed alcoholism and depression, and now turns to childhood abuse. Brunstetter does an excellent job of portraying the issues in an honest manner without being too gritty or overly graphic. Still Irma's emotions are raw and portray the true struggle that victims go through. Letters of Wisdom also does a good job of drawing on the importance of community. Irma writes letters to her two best friends (Doretta and Eleanor), who pray for and support her. It's through their support and the support of her husband that Irma is finally able to reach out for professional help and heal the hurts of the past. It's also through community support that her mother and siblings find healing as well. This book could be read as a stand alone title, but it so much richer within the series. All three books are written exceptionally well, touching on tough topics in a Biblical and healing manner. This one, in particular, felt very honest and real. I'm happy to see an author addressing these issues in a sensitive way, filling a void in the fiction genre. I would definitely recommend this book and feel like any of the titles in this series would make good book club selections. These are topics that just aren't touched on enough. *Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Letters of Wisdom is the third book of this series and is a great read that deals with the difficult but very real topic of abuse. Once I started reading, I was filled with emotions, and it was not easy to put this book down. The author approaches and addresses this emotional topic in a realistic and tasteful way. The characters in the book are relatable, as are the situations. I really appreciated the support system Irma's friends offered to her via letters and phone calls, and how Irma's husband offered support and solutions rather than judgment. The ties of faith and prayer throughout the story also helped make a book about a difficult subject be a positive read. Overall, a truly excellent read and a book that should be read. Thanks to the publisher and author for complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and thoughts about it are my own.

In the final book in the Friendship Letters, Letters of Windsor, we learn about abuse. Many people don’t always realize they are being abused. Irma Miller was a happy child until, unfortunately, her father died when she was seven. Her mother remarries Homer and has four more children: two sons and two daughters. For some unknown reason, Irma seems to be constantly physically and mentally abused by her stepdad. When Homer dies unexpectedly, Irma thinks the nightmares will end, and she will be a happy wife and mother to her three children. After finding out that she will be having another child, something triggers all her anger to become more noticeable, and she is afraid of what might happen. She has a dear friend, Doretta, whom she corresponds with, and she asks her to pray for her. Doretta does and advises her to seek help from a counselor or the bishop. Irma had never told her husband, LaVern, about the abuses she had suffered, and he was comforting and understanding. When Irma realizes she is doing to her children what her stepdad did to her. She is afraid of losing her children and possibly her husband and realizes she needs help. Thanks to the help of a counselor, she can let things go and pray more often. It is a very emotional story, and I am sure someone you might know has been through something like this. The main goal is to talk about it and get help. With the proper counseling and prayers, this could unlock what you have locked away for years and become free of the past by forgiving and making peace with god and yourself.

Book 3 of this series carried a powerful message. It really touched my heart to see the silent suffering of those who were victims of abuse and how if continues to affect them years after the fact. Doretta is Irma's friend who shares her thoughts and feelings with Irma through her letters. Irma opens up to Doretta after her stepfather's passing, a man who abused her during her younger years. After marrying and moving away, Irma attends the funeral of her stepfather and this brings out her feelings towards him and her mother, whom she felt did not stop the abuse. As her feelings start coming to the surface, she finds it harder and harder to show loving discipline to her children, but rather responds in a harsh way. Sharing her feelings with her friend Doretta, Irma reads the suggestions that are shared with her. It's a touching story that seems very realistic and you can feel the emotions that are shared in the story. I really was glad that I read the book. A moving story of love and forgiveness. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Letters of Wisdom by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the third book in The Friendship Letters series. It can be read as a standalone, but I believe it is best to read the series in order. This will allow you to know the characters and their backgrounds. I thought the story was well-written with realistic, developed characters. Irma Miller struggles to take care of her children while her husband is away auctioneering. She has three children, and the two boys are active. She looks forward to receiving letters from her dear friends, Doretta and Eleanor. They send words of encouragement along with helpful books. Irma had a pleasant childhood until her father passed away and her mother remarried. Her stepfather was abusive, and Irma never understood why her mother did not intervene. We get to see how a victim of abuse can become an abuser. Those who have suffered mental and/or physical abuse may find the story hard to read. There were portions that I was unable to read. Irma’s husband, LaVern, is a gem. It is obvious that he loves his wife and kids (and wants what is best for them). I like how the abuse was addressed. I was not aware that there were Christian counselors. Abuse, guilt, self-worth, bitterness, resentment, and forgiveness are themes addressed in the story. Letters of Wisdom is a character driven story. I liked how the characters told the story. I enjoyed catching up with the characters from the first two books. Letters of Wisdom is an emotional tale with an overwhelmed mother, helpful letters, a hardworking husband, energetic tykes, finding forgiveness, and a gracious God.