Sweet story about a group of people taking cooking classes together. Each person in the group has a unique life story, yet they all have a connection through the cooking classes. From cooking instructor Heidi to war veteran Ron, each character is interesting. The author tells a great story and even gives recipes in the back of the book. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more stories by this author.I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

This is a story about Heidi and Lyle Troyer. Heidi starts a cooking class in her home to teach Amish cooking. Her students all have some sort of problems. Each needing help. Kendra is a single women who is pregnant and her parent kick her out of their home. Loretta has lost her husband is is raising two children on her own. Eli is a Amish man who lost his wife in a bike accident.. Charlene is in love with a man but his mother hates her. Ron is a ex vet with many problems. Can Heidi help all these loss souls? Can she finally have a child which she wants so bad and can not conceive? This is a beautiful story about each of their lives and the friendship they bond between each other.

I found myself fully engrossed in this new book, and kept page turning to try and find the out come of this uncommon group of participants in Heidi Troyer’s new cooking class.
What a range of characters we have here, and at first could see no common denominator to them, except learning to cook. Now the idea of taking cooking lessons from an Amish woman does hold appeal, and could see myself doing so, and I can cook.
When Ron showed up and decided to stay for the lessons, my mind was screaming “No”, and yet he did add to the drama. While these students didn’t air their dirty laundry at the classes we were gifted to their lives between the classes.
Besides being gifted with some delicious Amish recipes, and I am going to try them, we are shown compassion and understanding, for all, even when we want to get rid of one of them.
A really fun read in this new series, and I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
I received this book through Net Galley and Barbour Publishing, Inc., and was not required to give a positive review.

What happens when a class of unlikely Ohioans take a cooking class at Lyle and Heidi Troyer’s Amish farm? We find out in Wanda E. Brunstetter’s The Seekers which is book 1 in her Amish Cooking Class Series.

To be completely honest, I wasn’t that excited about this book when I first heard about it because it reminded me so much of Wanda’s other, and highly popular, Half-Stitched series. So I went into this book not knowing if it would meet my expectations because I wasn’t sure what else Wanda would write about on such a similar topic, but let me tell you, she DID IT!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I enjoyed getting to know the different characters (a woman engaged to marry, an expectant mother estranged from her family, a widowed mom seeking to simplify, a Vietnam vet who camps on the Troyer’s farm, and an Amish widower).

I was impressed with how Wanda kept me interested in the lives of each of the characters. I also enjoyed Heidi and the role she played in the lives of the characters.

The one lesson that stands out to me from this book is that we never know how we can impact the people in our lives. Heidi viewed her role in teaching the class both an educational time for the students, but also a time to positively impact them.

Wanda took a story I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy and did what she does best, she transported me into the story and made me connect with the characters. After reading this book I’m really looking forward to the next one in the series, The Blessing.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. The book starts out by introducing all the characters rapidly one after another. This was very confusing for me. I had trouble remembering who everyone was. I couldn't tell who was Amish and who was English. The story line seemed so predictable from the beginning. As the story progressed it got better. The characters were further developed and didn't seem as fake. They were relatable. The Amish culture was present throughout the story but wasn't overpowering and annoying like some Amish fiction. I would have liked to know a little more detail about the type of Amish these characters were. Some things they had and did are not allowed according to some other Amish books I've read. I was surprised Heidi had an indoor bathroom, for example. Overall the story was nice but I felt like there was too much information presented about each person. I never felt like I knew any one of them in great detail. Loved the relationship between Eli and Loretta and wish I could see what happens with them. Maybe in a future book?

This is only the second book which I have read by Wanda Brunsetter. However, I am coming to understand why so many recommend her books when discussing Amish Fiction. Her books contain just the right amount of humor and serious issues to keep the reader turning the pages.

The Amish Cooking Class finds Heidi Troyer opening her home to teach authentic Amish cooking to her students. Never sure who will sign up for such a class, Heidi tries to focus on meals which are good, filling but easy to prepare. Along with her recipes, Heidi offers scriptures to help those she feels may need it. When the five students show up, Heidi is not sure how this class will survive or if they will continue. However, through scripture and healing, everybody comes out better at the end. There is even a surprise for Heidi and Lyle. Was this what Heidi wanted when she felt God leading her to teach this class?

I love how the class interacted with one another. We were also shown glimpses into the lives of the students outside of the class. The storyline shows that even in books the life is not always easy. This was an enjoyable read. I didn't want to put in down in case I might miss something. I was given a copy through Netgalley. The review was done because I enjoyed the book and the author.

The Amish Cooking Class by Wanda Brunstetter is a novel about people who, for a variety of reasons, come together to take a cooking class.
Heidi Troyer is married but has no children so she decides to offer a series of cooking classes to add to the family income and occupy some of her time while her husband is away working as an auctioneer. She puts up fliers and gets a very diverse group to sign up- Loretta is a young widow with two small children who longs for a simple life, Charlene is engaged but a disaster in the kitchen, Kendra is a single expectant mother who needs something fin in her life, Eli is a widowed neighbor who lacks cooking skills and Ron is a drifter who is currently camped on Heidi and Lyle’s property. Heidi is nervous about teaching and whether the class can work well together as they are so different. As the class gets to know each other, they begin to share some of their personal lives with each other and privately with Heidi. Will she be able to assist them in finding their way? She does include scripture with each recipe but does it make a difference? Heidi turns her concerns over to God as she awaits the answers.
I love everything Wanda Brunstetter writes and this book is no exception. She makes the characters come alive and all of them experience real life problems and setbacks. She is able to bring their issues to logical conclusions as the characters often focus on scripture and prayer, as well as other characters, to guide them. Ron made me angry by some of his behaviors and I wanted to cry with Heidi when she longs for a child.
I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys Christian novels. There are so many great stories within the main story line that there is something for every reader.
This review is my own honest opinion of this book. I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing though I am under no obligation to post a review.

I enjoyed this book very much. I like when the English and Amish have a close relationship. Trying to make a little extra money, ended up bringing a group of unlikely friends together.

This is the first book of a new series by Wanda Brunstetter.

Placed in the Amish settlement of Holmes County, Ohio, Heidi Troyer decides to teach a cooking class to help fill in the extra hours of time she has since she doesn’t have any children to occupy her time.

The group of students, none of which can cook, consists of a wide variety of people who are from very different walks of life. As the book develops, so does the storyline of each student. Their friendships form, things happen in their lives they didn’t expect and Heidi soon comes to see that God is using this class for her to lead and become an integral part of their lives, and they in her life as well.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one in the series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Shiloh Run Press in exchange for my unbiased opinion of the book.

The Seekers is the first installment to Wanda Brunstetter's newest series, Amish Cooking Class. I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of her Half Stitched Amish Quilting Club series, which is my favorite of all her books.
In The Seekers, Heidi starts an Amish cooking class and gets some interesting students. Such as:
A young, single, and pregnant Kendra
Engaged Charlene, who needs help with her lack of kitchen skills
A young widowed, Amish man, Eli
Single and widowed mother Loretta
Vietnam vet, Ron
Of all the characters, Ron, was my favorite.
I cannot wait to read the next book of the series.
Highly highly recommended.
5 plus stars