Wanda E. Brunstetter


Wanda E. Brunstetter is a novelist in the Amish romance genre, with more than 10 million books sold. Her books have been on the New York Times Best Seller list. Brunstetter is based in Washington.

Biography

Brunstetter grew up in Tacoma, Washington. Her parents disapproved of her wish to be an author when she grew up; her father called her "a dreamer." She was 60 years of age when her first book was published in 1997, and she would have to wait another three years before her second book was accepted by a publishing house.
Brunstetter worked as a typist for the government and met her husband through work while he was stationed at Fort Lewis. Brunstetter's husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, was the catalyst for her interest in the Amish. Brunstetter has always tried to portray the Amish culture accurately and uses her personal connection to the Mennonite community for research for her books. She and her husband have two children.
In 1980, her mother asked her to take a correspondence course on writing and afterwards, Brunstetter began to sell work to children's magazines and religious publications.

Work

Library Journal writes that Brunstetter has a "trademark gift of storytelling." Her dialogue includes phrases from the Dietsch language.
In addition to her adult Amish fiction, she also writes for middle-grade readers. She has published cook-books about Amish cooking which include facts about the Amish.

Organizations and affiliations

Awards

  • Retailers Choice Award – Won for The Storekeeper’s Daughter
  • Retailers Choice Award – Won for Lydia’s Charm
  • Author of the Year for Family Fiction magazine Single Titles Reviewers’ Choice Award – Won for The Tattered Quilt
  • Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Novels for RT Book Reviews Single Titles Reviewers’ Choice Award – Won for ''Woman of Courage''

Amish series

Brides of Lancaster County

  1. A Merry Heart
  2. Looking for a Miracle
  3. Plain and Fancy
  4. The Hope Chest
  • ''Brides of Lancaster County''

Brides of Webster County

  1. Going Home
  2. On Her Own
  3. Dear to Me
  4. Allison's Journey
  • ''The Brides of Webster County''

Daughters of Lancaster County

  1. The Storekeeper's Daughter
  2. The Quilter's Daughter
  3. The Bishop's Daughter
  • ''The Daughters of Lancaster County''

Sisters of Holmes County

  1. A Sister's Secret
  2. A Sister's Test
  3. A Sister's Hope
  • ''Sisters of Holmes County''

Indiana Cousins

  1. A Cousin's Promise
  2. A Cousin's Prayer
  3. A Cousin's Challenge
  • ''Indiana Cousins''

Kentucky Brothers

  1. The Journey
  2. The Healing
  3. The Struggle
  • ''The Kentucky Brothers Trilogy''

The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club

  1. The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club
  2. The Tattered Quilt
  3. The Healing Quilt
  • ''The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club Trilogy''

Love Finds a Way

  1. Blueberry Surprise
  2. Grandma's Doll
  3. ''Matchmaker 911''

Discovery

  1. Goodbye to Yesterday
  2. The Silence of Winter
  3. The Hope of Spring
  4. The Pieces of Summer
  5. A Revelation in Autumn
  6. A Vow for Always
  • ''The Discovery Saga Collection''

Prairie State Friends

  1. The Decision
  2. The Gift
  3. ''The Revelation''

Lopsided Christmas Cake

  1. ''The Lopsided Christmas Cake''

Amish Millionaire

  1. The English Son
  2. The Stubborn Father
  3. The Betrayed Fiancee
  4. The Missing Will
  5. The Divided Family
  6. ''The Selfless Act''

Amish Cooking Class

  1. The Seekers
  2. The Blessing
  3. ''The Celebration''

Historical series

Brides of Lehigh Canal

  1. Kelly's Chance
  2. Betsy's Return
  3. Sarah's Choice
  • ''Brides of Lehigh Canal''

Standalone novels

Lydia's Charm White Christmas Pie Women of Courage
  • ''The Hawaiian Quilt''

Novella collections

Love Finds a Home Love Finds a Way Log Cabin Christmas Twice Loved The Westward Christmas Brides Sweet Surprise A Time to Laugh
  • ''The Christmas Secret''

Children's books

Rachel Yoder

  1. School's Out
  2. Back to School
  3. Out of Control
  4. New Beginnings
  5. A Happy Heart
  6. Just Plain Foolishness
  7. Jumping to Conclusions
  8. Growing Up Look Out, Lancaster County
  • ''Growing Up in Lancaster County''

Double Trouble

  1. What a Pair!
  2. Bumpy Ride Ahead
  3. Bubble Troubles
  4. Green Fever
  5. ''Humble Pie''

Standalone novels

Upcoming

The Farmers' Market Mishap The Blessing The Beloved Christmas Quilt
  • ''Amish Millionaire''