The book has too many characters to keep them all straight and follow them throughout the story, which made them seem to be under developed and hard to identify with. The story was a little shallow in places which made the story line a little bit predictable in spots. The book also seemed to be more like a cookbook with religious undertones instead of a romance. I was disappointed with all of the loose ends in Loretta's story line hopefully the author will tie them all up in the next two books in the series.

I got an ARC of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion and a review.

Review: The Seekers is book one of the Amish Cooking Class series by Wanda Brunstetter. Having read one of the books in Wanda’s Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club Series I can see a similarity in the two sets of trilogies. Her books are always simple, delightful reads that offer an Inspirational message. There is an element of predictability in The Seekers. But that is okay with me because the story is not a mystery and I always enjoy happy endings.

In The Seekers, Heidi was sure the cooking class idea was inspired by God but she didn’t know how greatly each students’ life would be affected when the class came to an end. She had a mix of Amish and English students, which made it a little different. All the characters were facing realistic problems that could not be fixed in a day. But they did discover that there was help in facing those problems. My favorite character was Amish widower Eli.

I enjoyed this novel. It is a light, enjoyable read. Depending on how you look at it, you may or may not be satisfied with the ending. This is a trilogy after all so some story lines are going to carry over into the next book. I recommend checking out The Seekers. I think you will want to get a second helping and read The Blessing when it is released in August 2017.

Wanda Brunstetter has out done her self again with this book The Seekers. Her books have a way of grabbing your interest when you open the very first page, I have been reading her books for years now and have enjoyed each and every one of them. Such love is in her book even when she has someone else besides her sharing the writing.
I enjoy more of a book she has written if I can finish it with in a few hours, but then again when she did the monthly books it gave a person something to look for each month, but some how it can also take away the full enjoyment of a book.
Now the book The Seekers brings out what some happy feeling and yet at times unsure feeling, I don't think it is right for me to give away what is going on in this story, it is up to you as a reader to open that first page and find the same enjoyment out of the book that I found.
I am also asking you to also write a review about your true feeling about the story then share by mouth with your friends letting them know what they are missing.

Loved this book. Thank you for letting me read it before my review copy of the Blessing.

Rarely do I find a book I just don’t find worthy of my late-night, can’t sleep, reading time. I pretty much push through no matter what because I always like to give more benefit of the doubt than not. Granted….the Amish fiction genre is not my usual fare either, but I love the simpleness of life portrayed in fiction novels and have read several. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t make it through The Amish Cooking Class - The Seekers by Wanda Brunstetter. I received a free copy in order to catch me up for her next in the series and I can only hope that the next one is better. I took the advance copy knowing I was committing myself to give an honest opinion on both novels and I plan to see that through.
The Seekers is sweet and simple book following the lives of about 5 main characters as they sign up for and Amish cooking classes every other week. Heidi is the Amish woman giving the classes and she and her husband have been struggling with infertility. She realizes from the first class that each of her students is carrying their own burdens and begins praying for them and a way to touch each of their lives in a meaningful way. Just writing this out as the concept, I really like it. It’s probably what drew me to the book in the first place. It’s just the writing style and depth of the characters that I’m struggling with. I expected the portrayal of the Amish characters to have a simpler way of life and a little margin in their lives, but the writing as a whole feels very simple, undetailed and almost like I’m reading a middle schoolers version of the story. There’s just not much depth and description. The characters thoughts seem very basic and blunt, there is some inconsistency keeping the details straight which interrupts my mind’s picture of the scene, and the storyline jumps quickly between character viewpoints, not allowing me to fully appreciate or grow to love each character.
My best example of this is when a character who is single and pregnant, without a job and struggling in life has this moment:
“...my dream of becoming a nurse is just that...a dream. It’s never gonna happen.” Kendra grabbed the cereal box and poured some into her bowl. For the moment, her stomach had settled. “Can’t solve this problem right now, so for today at least, it’ll be fun to learn how to make another Amish recipe.”
To me, not only is this not realistic thinking if I were in this situation, there’s also no emotion imparted. It’s a “woe is me...oh, well…” moment and most people aren’t like that. I want to feel for her. Ache for her situation, but this just doesn’t compel me to do so.

I’m sorry to say, after attempting to read this for at least 2 weeks, I couldn’t even get myself halfway through the book. I just didn’t care about any of the characters.

But, for those of you who love Amish fiction, all is not lost. It’s a sweet, simple story that’s worth reading if you can connect with the writing style and characters. It just wasn’t for me.

I loved it, I was so happy to see the recipes were listed at the end of the book I have already made a couple, how beautiful of Lyle to loosen up his stance, haven't had time to read the second book but I am anxious to read the continuation

First off I need to say that I really enjoyed this book. The story lines were really well written. The way the characters interwove was interesting. Also the timeline of events was consistent and kept a good pace with the story. No one character was given any more importance than the others. However the story was actually very predictable. I could figure out what was going to happen to each character before the book ended. But that's not necessarily a bad thing! This was a very comfortable read. I felt like I was really involved in the story and wanted to keep up with the characters and find out what happened to them. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. And as an added bonus recipes are included at the end of the story. The great thing about this is they are all easy to fix! You kind of feel like you're in Heidi's kitchen and she's helping you.

Wanda E. Brunstetter has done it again! She has written another Amish book that is more than a page turner, it's life lessons on some of life's most challenging moments that both Amish and Englishers face in their lives.

Amish widow Heidi Troyer opens up her home for lessons in cooking. What she gets is a variety of Ohioans from all walks of life that have very little in common. What the Ohioans get from Heidi is more than just a cooking lesson.

You don't want to miss out on this book and it's series. The next book is "The Blessing" releasing August 1st, 2017.

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. No money was exchanged. This is my honest review in my own words.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was...okay...following the lives of multiple individuals facing everyday problems and coming together in one group.

Heidi Troyer wants a baby but can't seem to be getting pregnant and her husband in against adopting a baby so to fill in her time she opens up her home to anyone willing to cook to fill the emptiness she feels by not being able to conceive. But what she wasn't prepared for was the small group of people both young and old that are looking for so much more than a cooking lesson or two.

This book was enjoyable to say the least. A little predictable but still able to hold one's attention. Also this was my first Amish book and I got to know a little more about the culture which I found interesting.

All in all, this book is safe for all readers.

This is a wonderful read !! I just loved how the author took us into the lives of all of the characters. And then how the author intertwined different character's lives together !! I am starting the second book in this series today !!
I cannot wait to read the second book to see what happens next !!

Trying to figure out what I want to say about this book is hard. Within the first little bit I felt like Ron was a toad and Lyle was a push over. I was almost immediately annoyed with both of them. However, both played a pivotal role in building a wonderful feel good story. Let's talk about my initial impressions of the rest of the cast, as well. Kendra, while her situation wasn't in any way fair felt like a whiner, Loretta left me feeling wishy washy, Eli interested me, and Charlene seemed so at odds with her security with her career and hobbies while being so annoyingly insecure about her relationship. Of course they were so much more than that but that's were I started with them. I was hoping they would do a lot of growing and changing and for the most part I was rewarded.

There are two things that draw me into a story and keep me engaged. Characters and the the actual story. If I can't bond with the characters and feel like I know them (I don't have to like them!) that hurts how I feel about the story. If I can't bond with the story-line then it's hard to really care what happens or how it turns out. The way this book was set up showing the different characters in their real lives, not just at cooking class grabbed my attention and made me invested in the story. I cared who these people were and wanted to know more about who they were, why they were there, and how it came to pass. I actually hope to see these characters again in future books since I really don't feel like their stories are told. They just aren't finished you know? There has to be more. The drawback, for me, however was that I don't feel like I had a chance to truly bond with the characters. The characters were truly well developed and I came to like them all, I even changed my mind about a few, but there just wasn't enough time with each of them. Giving them more time would have been a mini-series but I feel like the small glimpse weren't quite enough. I lost some of that bond that makes me truly care about a character.

At the end of the day I still feel like Lyle is a push over, but not in a bad way. I feel like what Kendra's family did was completely unacceptable but she's still a bit whinny. Charlene redeemed herself a little bit at the end but I'm not sure I will ever grasp the change of heart her future mother-in-law had and feel like it left a gaping opening that wasn't closed. Eli and Loretta's story I saw coming from a mile away but it was OK because it just made sense. Ron, oh Ron. Ron redeemed himself, sorta, but I felt like it was just too easy. Lacking that ability to really delve into the characters left me with so many unanswered questions about Ron and feel like his revelation was too easy. He was too easy to explain it when I'm sure it was one of the hardest things he has even done. He was too easy to be off the hook. I'm happy for him and honestly, the man needs something too easy in his life.

This book started slow and I was frustrated for about the first part of the book. But as the characters started to grow for me the book came to life. I am so glad that I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review. And I truly cannot wait to read the next book in the series!

I really really enjoyed this book. I cannot wait for the next one to come out and am going to get the quilt ones because I am sure they are going to be just as good. I loved how everyone came to the class with problems and when it was all done they were better if not solved.
I highly recommend this book.

The Seekers is the first book in the Amish Cooking Class series by Wanda E. Brunstetter. I really enjoyed this book. It was a mostly lighthearted read and I really enjoyed how it was the weaving of multiple lives together in one story. I think some people may not appreciate how the story switches perspective but I found it to be a fresh approach. I’m not sure that I’ve seen this done in Amish books. It was new to me and fresh.

Each of the students in Heidi’s class have their own unique set of challenges and while my heart went out to each of them—I was especially touched by Ron. My dad is a veteran so I have a soft spot in my heart for the men and women who have given so much to serve our country.

If you’re looking for a fairly lighthearted-feel good outcome and a quick and delightful read—this is the book for you. There’s also quite a few enjoyable recipes in the back of the book if you would like to try making an authentic Amish meal. I haven’t tried them yet but I fully intend to!

Overall, this book just hit the spot for me. I was needing a pick-me-up after reading a few books with dark content. I wouldn’t say that everything is sunshine and roses in this book but the redemptive themes brought healing and peace that I so needed.

I look forward to reading more in this series and in seeing how more books written with this multi-person perspective plays out. The author did a great job in making each of the characters come across as individuals. They were well-developed and I’m super curious if we’ll get to see glimpses of them in future installments or if there will be a new cast of characters.

While I wouldn’t call this book out for being particularly deep in terms of content, sometimes you just need a very feel-good quick read and this book definitely fits that bill. This would make a great book-club read or a story to share with a friend.

The Seekers by Wanda and Brunstetter
http://readdayandnight.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-seekers-by-wanda-and-brunstetter.html
I totally loved it. The book was awesome. My full review is already on my blog

Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of my favorite Amish authors. I get so lost in her books that hours go by and I find myself reacclimating to my surroundings.

If you were a fan of her Half-Stitched Quilting club series you are going to love her Amish Cooking Class series. We join Heidi Troyer as she teaches 4 Englishers and 1 Amish widow some easy Amish recipes to fix for themselves or family. Everyone is as different as can be but find themselves looking forward to their time together every other Saturday.

I appreciate how Brunstetter is not afraid to show us the imperfect side of Amish life. They have heartaches and differences with their spouses just like us Englishers. You don't always have that portrayed in Amish fiction. She also does a wonderful way in showing us how to apply scripture, love and kindness in fixing those differences.

I didn't want this book end. You can be sure I will be in line to get the second book when it comes out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for a copy to read and write a review based solely on my own opinion.

MY REVIEW: Can't cook? Looking for friends? Just want to have some fun? Bored? Hungry? Heidi Troyer is ready and willing to take a risk and teach some Amish meals and share a few scripture verses along the way. Come join, she invites and several do just that.
This book was very fun to read and emotional as well. I think readers will enjoy the Amish recipes and learning ways of the Amish as well as shedding a few tears and laughing too. Many people will relate. I personally find great enjoyment in cooking and remember when I was first married, I bought many many many cookbooks and loved trying new recipes on friends and family. I got a wok and a fondue pot and enjoyed trying some new adventures with food, ones that my "good 'ole southern mom and grandma" had never cooked. I even made some big mistakes in cooking, just as some of Heidi's students. Teaching a cooking class also seems a wonderful way to have some fun and earn some money for folks like Heidi.
I am giving this book a 5-star rating and encourage those who enjoy reading Christian and Amish books to give this one a try.
This book was a gift from Barbour Publishing and netgalley. No review was required.

Firstly thanks to netgalley for my review copy.

I have read several books by Wanda and have enjoyed them all. This one is different (although I have since found out she did a series with Heidi's Aunt teaching Quilting) but to me this was different. In this book we have Heidi who after 8 years of marriage still doesn't have any children so often has time on her hands. She loves to cook and knows how much joy her Aunt gets from teaching quilting so decides to run 6 cooking lessons. The participants are varied, Charlene who is newly engaged, Kendra who is an expectant mother estranged from her family, Lorretta who wants to learn some Amish cooking, Eli an Amish widower who struggles to boil an egg and Ron who has turned up at the Troyer's farm asking if he can camp there for a short while.

The book introduces us to each of the participants as well as Heidi and her husband Lyle and we get to know them and more about there situations. Lorretta has 2 adorable children who I must say are scene stealers at times. A couple of the participants have no idea how to cook but Heidi is patient. What starts out as just lessons becomes more as they get to know one another. I enjoyed the way the book unfolded and was sad to see it end. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series. What I loved most was the interaction between the various people and also the individual stories within the main story.

If you like Amish stories I am sure you will enjoy this one and if you are not a big fan of Amish books you will find this book doesn't focus mainly on their lifestyle because of having both English and Amish involved. A good read.

The Seekers is the first installment to Wanda Brunstetter's newest series, Amish Cooking Class. I really enjoyed this book. In The Seekers, Heidi starts an Amish cooking class. I loved all the different individuals and their own stories and what bought each one to the cooking class held by Heidi.

This book revolves around a woman named Heidi Troyer and her Amish cooking class.Heidi Troyer and her husband of eight years, Lyle, have no children yet. She loves her Lyle and their life together but desires children, also. Lyle refuses to adopt, believing that if it is God’s will, Heidi will be able to conceive a child. Heidi considers giving cooking classes since cooking has come naturally to her and classes won’t take time away from her husband. Heidi will lead six lessons over the next three months.

The Lord prepares students for her first class. The students come with different problems to the classes and through out the book, they find solutions. First is Loretta, a widow and single mother of two little kids that just wants to learn a more simpler way of life. She wants to know more about being Amish, so learning Amish cooking in an Amish home sounds beneficial.
Second, Charlene is engaged to a wonderful man, but has no experience in the kitchen. Her financé has a mother who is an expert cook and doesn’t like Charlene. She doesn’t want her future mother-in-law to know she can’t cook.

Third is Eli, is a young widowed man who is part of the Amish community and also doesn't know how to cook much of anything. His wife had been killed by a hit-and-run driver. He couldn’t cook, and eats out frequently after work.

Fourth, Kendra is a young lady who got pregnant out of wedlock and was kicked out of her home by her dad so he wouldn’t be embarrassed in front of church or social friends. The young man also left her.

Last but not least is Ron. He pulls his older RV into the Troyer’s yard, hungry and broke. He tells Heidi and Lyle the first lie, that his rig needs repairs and he needs a place to park until he can repair it. He ends up in the cooking class without planning to be there. The Troyers share their food and time, but he holds his secrets close. A Viet Nam vet with PTSD, Ron always finds ways to justify what he does.

Most of the characters are very likable. We see Heidi as a three-dimensional woman of faith, and get to know her students through their everyday lives. I love how this book focuses so much on God. I also love the recipes and how after each class she gives a notecard with the recipe and a verse on the back.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful start to a new series, March 6, 2017
By Maggie

This review is from: Amish Cooking Class - The Seekers (Paperback)
I thoroughly enjoy Wanda Brunstetter's books. The characters are well drawn, whether Amish or 'English; and the situations are so universal and believable. This first book of a highly anticipated series is no different; a real winner. The protagonist is sensitive and sweet, the complex interactions of all the characters drive you to read 'just one more chapter', and everything comes out good in the end (except for a few dangly bits that could form the start of the next book!)

Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the loan of a time-constrained e-copy of the book with no obligations.