Thursday, August 7, 2014

Review + GIVEAWAY: Woman of Courage


Woman of Courage
By Wanda E. Brunstetter
Shiloh Run Press, 2014


A big thank you goes to Julie Busteed and Handlebar for graciously giving away a copy of Woman of Courage to one of The Power of Words' readers. Entry details are at the end of this review.


Summary

Amanda Pearson, a Quaker woman suffering from a broken engagement, leaves her home in New York and travels West to minister to the Nez Perce Indians. Along the way, she encounters many problems, yet she never gives up. Like a true woman of courage, Amanda trusts God to see her through, even when she fights illness, abandonment, misunderstandings, and an unexpected event.

Set in 1837, this historical novel has many twists and turns that will take readers from the rugged Rocky Mountains to Oregon Territory and the home of the Spalding Mission, where the Nez Perce Indians were first introduced to Christianity.


My thoughts

Woman of Courage, a departure from the Amish fiction for which Wanda E. Brunstetter is most widely known, is an interesting historical romance set in 1837 Oregon Territory. Although Amanda Pearson's story is fiction, Woman of Courage is inspired by Rev. and Mrs. Spalding's mission to the Nez Perce Indians, and how a delegation from the tribe had previously gone to St. Louis on a quest to find out more about the Book of Heaven (the Bible) and ask for missionaries to come to them.

I found the story interesting and liked that the faith elements were very strong. Although well researched, I'm not sure how realistic all the tragedies were, but everything comes together in a narrative that smoothly flows. Some spots move slower than others, but Wanda's style of writing always holds my attention.

Amanda, a Quaker missionary with a passion to share her faith with the Nez Perce Indians, has the fighting spirit and strength needed to survive the wilderness. I think I would have been drawn to Amanda more had her character been more deeply developed. But she is indeed a woman of courage, as is Mary Yellow Bird, my favorite character in the story. Mary's gentle spirit in spite of her tragic background captured my heart immediately. I especially enjoyed the Native American and missionary themes, as well as the spiritual journeys of several characters.

I appreciate that Wanda brought her unique writing ability to this inspiring story and recommend it to all who enjoy historical fiction.

Woman of Courage can be purchased online at CBD, DeeperShopping, B&N, or Amazon.



Wanda E. Brunstetter

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 60 books with more than 7 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York TimesPublisher’s WeeklyCBAECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, includingTime Magazine and USA Today. Wanda’s books have been translated into four foreign languages.

Meet Wanda online at wandabrunstetter.com, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Thank you to Handlebar for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing for Woman of Courage, simply answer the following question and leave your e-mail in a safe format. If you're willing, it's also helpful to share about this giveaway on Facebook.


Question:
Do you find it easy or hard to share your faith?

Please "like" my Facebook page, ThePowerofWordsBookReviews, if you haven't already. And new followers of this blog are always welcome!

  • E-mail required, one entry per person. Odds of winning are based on number of entries.
  • Contest ends at midnight PST on Thursday, August 14. No purchase necessary.
  • Winner will be chosen by Random.org and contacted by e-mail by Saturday, August 16. Respond within 48 hours of notification or another winner will be chosen.
  • Eligibility: US residents, 18 and older

35 comments:

  1. Thanks for the giveaway, Carole! I have had my eye on this book and would love to win a copy! For the most part, I find it easy to share my faith because it is such an integral part of who I am. I try to approach each situation and each person from a Christlike perspective, and although of course I do fail sometimes, I find that doing so allows me to see the inherent worth of each person, even if I might not agree with their viewpoints.

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    1. Your words inspire me, Sarah, and faith is indeed a part of who we are. But so often, we see things like fear, lack of knowledge, intimidation, etc. effect our witness. Thanks for leaving a comment!

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  2. I enjoyed reading this review and I love historical fiction. It would be wonderful to win a copy and I appreciate the chance. I sometimes find it hard to verbally express my faith but I try, in my everyday living, to be a witness and a testimony to God's love and grace.
    Connie

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    1. Connie, I think that daily witness is everything, more effective than we could ever imagine.

      You didn't leave your e-mail, but I'm going to assume it is Cps1950 at gmail dot com. Please let me know if that's not correct. Thanks for visiting, Connie.

      Delete
    2. I love to share my faith, but sometimes it can be difficult. Especially with people I know well. I am always afraid they won't want to be my friend if I push a little in that direction. It's hard to know sometimes. Maybe it's exactly what they are needing...

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    3. Whoops I forgot my address: Sonja dot Nishimoto at gmail dot com

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  3. I tend to find it easier to share my faith with stranger than people I know. Maybe it's because I am afraid of rejection from my friends and I feel that I have nothing vested in a stranger.

    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. Sometimes I find it difficult to share my faith because I worry that I won't use the right words. I try to live my life everyday so that people will see my faith in Christ. Somtimes, how we live has a greater effect than what we say.

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  5. What a wonderful experience to be able to share your faith and the love of our Lord with others!! I am always glad when the opportunity arises!! What a satisfaction, knowing that you have strngtben someone else's faith/life!!

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    1. Well said, Elaine. Don't forget to leave your e-mail address!

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  6. I am very introverted so I find it hard to share my faith. What I do to compensate is to show my faith through my actions and teach my three children so that they can have the confidence to share their faith!

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    1. Maureen, I'm an introvert also, so I understand where you're coming from. Don't forget to leave your e-mail address!

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  7. I try to share my faith with people every day, especially at home. I also love to teach ladies' classes and share in that way. I like people so in stores, restaurants, etc., I always try to find out where a person is faith-wise and just offer them a little encouragement for the day. I have just started leaving a card with a Bible verse on it with my tip in restaurants. Praying it will make a difference for someone. I know God's Word does not come back void. I don't see where to put my e-dress.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Just leave it here . . . Use [at] and [dot] for safety.

      What a fantastic witness you are! I love your idea of leaving a Bible verse card with your tip in restaurants.

      Delete
  8. I try to share my faith by example so it is easy! Rachel Lepree rlepree(at)musfiber(dot)com

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  9. I find it easy to share my faith and it is pretty easy to see if someone is receptive to it. If so, I will continue.
    Thanks for the awesome giveaway. I would love to have this book.
    Karen Cushing
    sweetnessnlight@comcast.net

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  10. I find it hard to share my faith sometimes as I suffer from depression but I try to share it by my Facebook posts as well as my actions

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  11. I used to find it hard to share my faith, but now I don't. I don't know the reason, though. I grew up in a Christian home and the church, but I think now I feel so strongly about it, I just muster up the courage to let them know they can have eternal life.
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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  12. I have to admit I am not an Amish fan. So I have never read one of Wanda's books before. So excited she has written this book because I always read how great am author she is.
    Sometimes I am strong in sharing my faith, at other times I feel like I really failed the person I was talking to. I pray for wisdom to understand the Scriptures and be able to share His word with others. Most of the time I feel like a failure. God help me.
    pam1lunsford@gmail.com

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  13. This book looks really good!!! been wanting to read it for awhile!!!

    sierrafaith327(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Sierra, please follow the giveaway instructions in order to enter.

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  14. This book looks really good. I have a hard time expressing myself when it comes to sharing my faith. But I still try to do the best that I can.
    seraphinangel7(at)aol(dot)com

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  15. Hi Carole and thanks for introducing yet another new author to me! There are sooo many out there!! And they all are super fantastic !! This book sounds wonderful as I have never read about the Quakers, but I love anything written about any tribe of Indians! My hubby is part Cherokee!!
    To answer the question, do you find it easy or hard to share your faith~~I find it hard as I belong to the non-music church of Christ and when I try to talk to people, they always come back with "but the CofC think they are the only ones going to Heaven" and I have a hard time defending that remark, so I usually just keep my mouth shut!! We don't teach that at all. And if you can't explain it true to scripture, you're better off not saying anything.
    Love, light and blessings to you Carole and to Wanda.
    I will be happy to share, tweet and pin for you!!!
    ratsmith140(at)gmail)dot)com

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  16. Thank you for sharing this book. I use these books to share my faith with my 81 year old aunt.

    Diane
    dianemestrella at gmail dot com

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  17. Sharing my faith is easy . . . thank you for the giveaway. One way of sharing my faith is sharing my inspirational books with my friends. I love reading Amish books but would like to read Wanda Brunstetter's Woman of Courage. Thank you! jynhoffman@yahoo.com

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  18. Sometimes it is hard to share your faith, but reading christian fiction and sharing that helps. Can't wait to Woman of Courage. Thank you for the chance to win it.
    dsimmering68@gmail.com

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  19. My faith is such a part of me that sharing it is not hard. This sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    Ann Ellison
    abilene_nana@yahoo.com

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  20. I find it very hard... I am not an extrovert by any means!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  21. I find it easy to share my faith because it's such a big part of who I am and is want others to have it a well.
    Thank you for offering this giveaway!!! This looks like a great book! I have been wanting to get something new to read!
    My email address is
    Cspicuzza83 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  22. I have been a Christian for many years and I love to talk with people just about anywhere, standing in line at the grocery, library, anyplace where there is an open door. I love Wanda's books!
    sallydav45@gmail.com

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  23. "Women of Courage" is of particular interest to me as my father's first cousin spent his entire life as a missionary to the Seminole Indians in Florida and one of my grandfather's ancestors (on my mother's side of the family) was "Blue Jacket" - a white man captured by the Shawnee Indians and made a war chief because of his bravery. There was an outdoor drama about him for 20+ years in Lima, Oh.. Some people disagree as to whether Marmaduke vanSwearingen was actually "Blue Jacket" - we believe he was.

    I love sharing how the Lord has transformed my life!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

    I am a subscriber, Facebook follower, and have shared the post!!

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  24. Yes it is hard to share my faith with people outside my family and friends. People are to quick to judge people in today's world and you never know when sharing your faith how things will turn out. Email is chriss1234us@yahoo.com

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  25. I have to say that it is hard to share with total strangers and know that is what GOD expects us to do. But even in the stores if a door opens then I always wind up bringing GOD into my conversations. Think I was much better as a new Christian when I was a child. I do bring GOD up in conversations a lot when I have a chance. I have been wanting this book of Wanda's for awhile. Would sure be wonderful if I could win it here. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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  26. I find it hard to share my faith. I am a believer. I don't study the word like I should. I really need to read and study the word.
    CherylB1987 AT Hotmail DOT com

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  27. I find it had, because not everyone shares the same belief's as I do!
    Theresa Carty: Theresacarty1962@Gmail.com

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