Book Review: Sarah's Choice

Author: Wanda E. Brunstter
Title: Sarah's Choice
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Publish Date: Dec 1, 2010
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Slip into romance in this eagerly anticipated book 3 of bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Brides of Lehigh Canal series. Widowed Sarah Turner has her hands full, raising three young children, tending the lock on the canal, baking bread, and washing clothes for boatmen. Although she’s not looking for love, she’s vowed not to lose her heart to a boatman. Yet she didn’t count on meeting Captain Elias Brooks. Will she follow her heart where it leads or accept the proposal of a handsome land-loving blacksmith?
Review: When I want to read a feel good book Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the authors I usually reach for. This is the second historical novel of her's that I've read. I usually go for her Amish fiction. This series is more heavily Christian fiction and may come across as a bit preachy to some. At times it felt that way to me, but the story was so sweet that it didn't bother me.

The setting of the book is in Northeastern Pennsylvania the Lehigh Valley. The setting is one of the things that drew me to the book. I love reading books that take place in my home state. Pennsylvania is just not the most glamorous spot, so I always look forward to seeing how author's present the state, either in a historical setting or present day.

Sarah is a widow, who's husband was killed on the canal. She's working at the lock in his place to keep her three children fed and clothed. Her hatred of the canal is easy to understand. There are times when her reactions to things are a bit much, but deep down it is easy to see why she behaves the way she does.

The two men vying for her heart are as different as night and day and it is easy early on to see which is going to win her heart in the end. Elias is all that is good and Christian. He's a little too much for me at times, but he is a kind, gentle, caring soul, oh and he has a disfiguring birthmark. Patrick is everything he isn't.

Yeah, so you can guess which guy she ends up with.

I loved her son Sammy, who really is the child that gets the most time in the story. He runs off with Elias to pull the mulls on the canal, something that his mother forbid him to do.

The other thing that I loved was the dog, Bristle Face, who didn't like Patrick very much. Again, you can see what guy she's going to end up with.

So, sure it is predictable, but it is very enjoyable, light read and it made me smile. Wanda Brunstetter's books never disappoint me.

Rating: 4 flowers