Wanda E. Brunstetter The Bishop's Daughter

The Bishop's Daughter

Wanda E. Brunstetter

Barbour, Aug 2006, $12.95

ISBN: 1597890006

In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Leona Weaver sadly reflects that instead of her four years as a teacher ending so she could marry Ezra Yoder; she will be back next year. While shoeing a horse, Ezra was kicked in the head and died.

In Puyallup, Washington, Jim Scott fails to complete his death bed vow to his late wife that he informs their son Jimmy that he is adopted. Instead Jimmy learns this from a letter written to him by his mother before she died. Stunned Jimmy needs to know more about his biological parents starting with the lawyer in Maryland.

Jimmy heads east as Jim goes on a bender. In Maryland Jimmy learns that the Scotts never adopted anyone. Jim tells him that he kidnapped him, but that his mom never knew. The younger man soon tracks his ancestry to Lancaster County where he obtains work as a painter employed by Bishop Jacob Weaver. When the Bishop slips off a ladder and injures his head, Leona begins to question why God allows terrible things to happen to good people. Jimmy continues his search for his parents and to help the Weavers because he admires the Bishop and loves Leona, but fears that Jim could go to jail if he succeeds on his quest.

The third Daughters of Lancaster County Series (see THE STOREKEEPER'S DAUGHTER and THE QUILTER'S DAUGHTER) is a wonderful inspirational tale that provides a close-up look at the modern day Amish lifestyle. The story line is character driven especially by the lead couple who knows that English and Amish should never marry. Though some might scoff at how upbeat subplots comes together, fans of inspirational tales will agree with Wanda E. Brunstetter's assertion that God performs everyday miracles.

Harriet Klausner