Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc., for the read of Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Woman of Courage - Collector’s Edition Continues the Story of Little Fawn.

Woman of Courage has to be my new favourite from Wanda E. Brunstetter. Her incredible writing, truly engaging characters, and her steadfast faith shine through her writing.

We meet Amanda, an innocent, inexperienced, and naïve young woman, jilted and then orphaned. Travel with Amanda on her whirlwind journey, as she meets with joys and sorrows on her perilous journey to bring the word of God to Native Americans.

You will cheer as Amanda finds great bravery, rejoice as she stands in defense of her unwavering faith, and celebrate as she learns tremendous courage.

An adventure you absolutely must read!

NB:Just as you sigh because you are not ready for the story to end, it continues! The Story of Little Fawn was exceptionally poignant. Thank you Wanda.

I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing, Inc. through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in my review are my very own.

Thank you to Zondervan for providing me this book in exchange for an honest review!
-
-
Wanda Brunstetter has done it again! This book is the perfect mix of romance, information, and Jesus. I absolutely adore Amanda and her can’t-give-up attitude. Although this one isn’t Amish based, it’s still amazing. I can’t wait to see if Amanda’s story becomes a series, or if Mrs. Brunstetter will do another story from a different angle.

Woman of Courage is a gripping novel that I wanted to read because of both the author and description. This Collector’s Edition includes a short story, Woman of Hope, about Little Fawn. One of America’s favorite storytellers shares a breathtaking historical drama from the period of Manifest Destiny while changing her focus from Amish to Quakers. The characters are unique, strong, hardworking people, and the descriptions of scenery across the country are so magnificent that I could almost see and smell it.
Amanda’s fiancé Nathan Lane did a cruel thing. Within a short period of time, Quaker Amanda Pearson believed the Lord was calling her to be a missionary with the Reverend Spalding and his wife with the Nez Perce Indians in Oregon territory. Her father sold their house and his business so she wouldn’t go alone. The trip would be long and arduous across the country, through the Rocky Mountains, then to Oregon. They finally made it to Wyoming territory and hired a guide to Oregon territory. Papa had not told her until it was too late that his heart was failing, and that he had a dream in which the Lord told him their future lay in the west. Dying from a heart attack, he made Amanda promise to continue west with or without him.
Ever alert for Indians, Amanda and her guide, Harvey, continue on horseback into the Rockies. Even as she continues to pray about everything, the worst occurs, and Amanda becomes so sick that she is unable to go further.
In the mountains, Jim Breck and the wife he traded for from the Blackfoot Indians, Mary, born Yellow Bird and stolen from her Nez Perce family, had a cabin where Jim trapped, hunted, and fished. Mary was pregnant, only weeks until her due date. Jim has a young friend Buck Red Hawk McFadden; they met when Buck was about 14 and Jim taught him about trapping and hunting. There is a red hawk he rescued when a hatchling and raised that always lives near him. When Buck finds Amanda on the trail, very sick and suffering a head wound, he takes her to Mary, who knows much about healing and herbs.
This special edition includes a short story about Little Fawn and the young man sweet on her, White Wolf. Little Fawn was adopted as an infant into a home with one white parent and one of mixed heritage, and she wants to be a missionary to other Indians. Her parents won’t yet allow her to go, so she leaves in the night without a note. She, also, endures struggles, as does White Wolf when he tries to find her.
There is more than one woman of courage in these stories. It would be impossible to travel cross-country to serve as a missionary to a different culture without God-given courage through beautiful prayers of faith. Each of the characters is well defined; when one finishes the novel, it is hard to leave them behind.
I highly recommend this Collector’s Edition Woman of Courage with Woman of Hope. Both are written with excellence. The stories sing with the joy of life lived for and with God. They are hard to put down. Dialog is realistic, and one of the underlying themes is why God allows bad things to happen to His people. With use of scripture and forgiveness, we see what they do when we don’t understand. This is one of my favorite novels by this author; she has designed characters that one can genuinely appreciate.
From a grateful heart: I received a copy of this e-Arc from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Get lost in the wilderness of North America!
Many lessons of faith and Christianity throughout this story of a young woman who travels from Dansville, N.Y. to Oregon/Idaho (about 3,000 miles, mostly wilderness) to teach the Nez pierce Indians about Jesus. Strength, determination and perseverance, pushing on when most would give up. A journey even the experienced would find difficult, but she has no experience to draw on. When everything is taken from her, she still has her faith and doesn't turn back. I'm sure, like me, that you will find something within that ministers and strengthens you. She believes strongly in her mission to bring people to Jesus, and has a long and difficult travel. But God uses adversity in many ways. I've done some woods camping so I can appreciate what she went through, but not nearly to the extent. Let alone the threats she encountered. You know you will love a story of Wanda's! A fabulous story to get lost in.

Also included in the Collectors's Edition - Woman Of Hope - about her adopted Indian daughter, Little Fawn, who wants to be a missionary to other Indians at a Rendezvous but her mother won't attend or let her go for reasons of her own. When the girl tries to go by herself she is captured and abused, but meaning is brought and God shines through. A wonderful story of deep and abiding faith throughout.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Barbour Publishing, Inc and the Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Truly a woman of courage

New York Times best-selling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter who has written many Amish fiction and American historical fiction books, starts her book "Woman of Courage" in 1837 in Dansville, New York in a Quaker Community. The book was originally published in 2014 but this Collector's Edition also includes the story of Little Fawn.
Twenty-two year old Amanda Pearson plans to marry Nathan Lane, but he cancels two days before the weeding because he is supposedly in love with Penelope Goodwin. Three months later Amanda travels west in Wyoming with her father in order to join a Quaker mission at Lapwai Creek, Oregon. Her father dies on the trip but Amanda continues with their guide Harvey Hanson who later is killed in a storm by a falling tree. Seriously sick Amanda is found days later by Buck who takes her to Mary (Yellow Bird, a native of the Nez Perce [Nimiipuu] tribe) and Jim Breck's cabin in the woods where she stays unconscious for many days. All of them carry hurts from their past and have to life with the challenges of an isolated life in the mountains such as a bear attack and hostile humans, but the birth of Mary and Jim's son brings also joy into their lives.
Amanda's faith never wavers even when she and Mary are faced with more challenges that finally lead them to the Spaulding Mission in Lapwai Creek.
Brunstetter includes discussion questions at the end of the book that can be used for personal reflection as well as for group discussion in a book club. The book also includes the novella "Woman of Hope" which takes places in the Lapwai Valley in 1854. Little Fawn, the adopted daughter of Amanda and Buck, wants to join the Nimiipuu tribe in their annual food gathering trip, an undertaking to which her parents had never taken her nor her brother Running Fox. Unknown to anybody she sneaks away on her horse and runs into unexpected challenges and trials. Only due to White Wolf's courage is she freed and restored to her parents.
I recommend this book to women who are interested in American historical novels that include Native Americans. It is a good and relaxing read that shows the trials and challenges of people in this period of history.

The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#WomanofCourage #NetGalley

Woman of Courage is a wonderfully engaging frontier fiction by Wanda Brunstetter. Even though this particular story differs from Brunstetter's usual Amish fiction, readers will not be disappointed. Recently jilted by her fiance, Amanda and her father leave New York to travel thousands of miles westward with the intent of joining an established mission work with the Nez Perce´ Indians. And what a journey it is--illnesses and deaths, bears and snakes to contend with, mishaps with the horses--the author does a great job of keeping the reader's interest high with the description of this danger-fraught trip that is set in the 1830s. The story is brim full of information about several American Indian tribes and their beliefs and customs. I especially enjoyed reading about the annual Rendezvous where trappers and Indians and their families gathered for trading and selling goods. Descriptions of wilderness ways of housing and clothing, and herbal medicines and birthing were well done and added depth to the story. The characters are vividly portrayed and their actions and emotions resonate with the reader. I was quickly caught up into the lives of the characters and their stories. And they each definitely have a past story that is driving life in the present. The title is 'Woman' of Courage but I think it could have been titled 'Women' of Courage as readers meet several women who are brave, resourceful, and have the strength of mind and body to survive the harshness of wilderness life. An added bonus in the Collector's Edition is a continuation of the story about one of the babies who is born in Woman of Courage. Woman of Hope tells the story of Little Fawn. Brunstetter has written a beautiful, captivating tale of disappointment and loss, of forgiveness and second chances, of love and faith in the God who is guiding and providing through it all.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions are my own.

3 stars
I am totally conflicted by this book. The writing is superior; however, Woman of Courage is just loaded with so many people, ideas and conflicts. This book could have been easily two or three books instead of one. For example, I realized when I was only about 35% done with the book that Amanda had already had her fiance leave her, her and her father sell their home to journey to the Nez Perce reservation, her father dies, her guide dies, she decides to go it alone, she becomes gravely ill, was found by a trapper who took her to a Native American woman(Mary) and her white husband’s(Jim) home to be healed, she helps deliver Mary’s baby and almost got assaulted by a white man who wanted their horses.

This all happened within the first third of the book!

It is just ridiculous the sheer number of things happening in Woman of Courage.I kept reading until about 60% because Wanda Brunstetter wrote a story with amazing characters and feeling but I just could not get past all of the never-ending conflicts, people and plot lines. I just finally had to give up.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own. #WomanofCourage #NetGalley #BarbourPublishing Inc.

Amanda and her father set of across the country, heading towards Spalding Mission in Oregon Territory. Along the way she meets Buck, Jim and Mary, who all play a prominent part in the story. Travel through the lands with sometimes hostile Indians and wildlife as well as weather make for a long journey. A good story with lots of action sprinkled through out. The bonus addition with Little Fawn is nice to catch up on the characters from the original story.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided courtesy of Barbour Publishing. A review was not required and all thoughts are my own.

I’m writing this review about the Collector’s Edition, which contains the book “Woman of Courage” as well as a new novella, “Woman of Hope”. The book “Woman of Courage” was originally published in 2014. The novella “Woman of Hope” continues the story of Little Fawn, a character in the previous book.

Wanda Brunstetter is well-known for her beloved Amish novels. This book has a completely different storyline: In a story set in the 1800’s, an American Quaker missionary travels west to become a missionary to the Nez Perce Indians. Amanda Pearson faces many dangers on her journey to the western wilderness, but her faith in God and her passion for sharing the Gospel with this tribe never waivers. She makes a close friend of Yellow Bird, an Indian woman who accepts the Gospel message and she also displays courage as she faces a new life. I think this is one of Mrs. Brunstetter’s best books. The storyline is suspenseful and the characters are some of her best yet. The author is respectful of the Indians’ beliefs, yet shows the good work of the missionaries to the tribes.

The new novella, “Woman of Hope” rejoins these characters as the children from the first book reach adulthood. This story focuses on Little Fawn and her desire to reach her people with the Gospel message. She has some maturing to do, and her impulsive actions are the basis for this story.

I enjoyed both these stories and know fans of Wanda Brunstetter will love these stories, too.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I loved being given access to Women of Courage from netgally and Wanda Branstetter. It is a story of many challenges and tons of obstacles. The courage of the woman in the story to go on and find faith no matter what is so heartwarming and just an amazing story of one's faith in God. This is one of my favorite stories I have read from this author so far.

Amanda Person thought she knew what her future would be, it was the night before her wedding and she was so happy. But an unexpected visit from her fiance changed everything. No wedding, no happily ever after, no future in the Quaker congregation where her father preached.

So Amanda and her father set out toward the West to Join a couple in their Mission to bring Christ to the Nez Perce Indians in the Oregon Territory.

She was worried about her father who looked so tired. He finally was forced to tell her that his heart was failing, he was not long for this world and secured her promise she would continue on without him. She could have never guessed at the trials, dangers and the strengths she never knew she had as she struggles to fulfill that promise!

A wonderful story of a brave woman and her Journey with God toward true happiness. From one of my favorite Authors and now one of my favorite of her stories

I found this book by Ms. Brunstetter to be full of adventure, intrigue and strong faith. This is not your normal Amish book that Wanda Brunstetter is known for.
Our main character Amanda Pearson has just been jilted by her fiance, for her best friend. She has decided to give up on romance and join family friends, Rev. And Mrs. Spalding as missionaries to the Nez Perce' Indians. The year is 1837 and the trip is three thousand miles on horseback. Amanda's preacher father is escorting his daughter from New York to this Indian reservation in Oregon. They have hired an experienced guide. Amanda is a very strong courageous young woman, but even she might be overtaken by the elements. She promised her father she would continue on and bring the Bible and Jesus to these Indian people. She is determined to do just that, no matter what the circumstances.
There is something in this book for everyone. It has friendly and hostile Indians. Rain storms, snow storms, and dessert sun. The fear of running out of food and supplies. Her strong faith and dedication keeps her going. There are a couple of very sweet love stories also included, for people liking the historical Christian romance.

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This is the first full length book that I have read from Brunstetter. I read a novella not too long ago and I have to say that I enjoyed this one even more. This book follows a missionary on a 3,000 trek to witness to Native Indians in the Oregon territory. This story gave me a huge appreciation for the struggles and heart aches the early settlers experienced. I felt the heroine, was a very courageous woman as the the title of the book implies. I also enjoyed the novella sequel that was included in the back of the book. This was an inspirational story and had a bit of romance. The gospel of Christ is shared in a precious way and it was sprinkled all through the book. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys western frontier stories.
*I was given a copy of this book by Barbour Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

Woman of Courage was a good book with well written characters. The main character, Amanda, faced many trials as she traveled west after her fiance decided not to marry her, the evening before the wedding. Most of the story is about her journey west.
Also included was an added short story, kind of an added plus!
I enjoyed this book very much and I have no doubt I will read it again!

A story of courage, faith and friendship that makes you think about your own journey in life. Wanda's writing pulls you into the story while being thought provoking at the same time.

Hard-to-put-down historical novel about a father and daughter who set out from New York to travel west to the Rocky Mountains to a mission. Along the way, Amanda gains courage as she faces multiple discouraging and difficult situations. Amanda's story of grace and love and faith in God encourages the reader as she develops into a "woman of courage" and discovers love along the way. Great read!

Woman of Courage really shows how talented Wanda Brunstetter is and why she is so popular. I think this novel is probably one of her better works and among my favorite of hers. I loved the main character of Amanda. She is such a strong, admirable, influential and fascinating woman!
I highly recommend Woman of Courage. I am giving it a well deserved five plus stars. It is most definitely not one to be missed.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Wanda E Brunstetter may be most well known for her Amish fiction novels, but Woman of Courage is continuing proof that she's mastered the western historical fiction genre as well. What really stood out to me throughout enjoying this title was its focus on extreme faith, and faith that keeps going no matter what circumstances are thrown our way. The young heroine in this novel, Amanda Pearson, doesn't truly know what she's getting herself into when she sets out on a three thousand mile journey to join a mission intent on preaching God's Word to the Indians. Running away from a broken heart, Amanda's sure that being a missionary is God's new plan for her, but along the way she'll literally be brought to rock bottom in her attempt to spread the news of salvation.

While at first glance Amanda may come across as a society girl who doesn't know anything about the dangers of the west. She'll quickly prove everyone wrong in the way she's able to handle everything that's thrown her way, and continue to trust in God's plan for her, even when it seems that everything is crashing down around her. Amanda was a character I found myself rooting for, and her faith demonstrated in this novel was a really good representation of Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." No matter what happens, Amanda knows that God's got this, and she never turns away from Him despite so many obstacles.

As this time period in North American history was not a pretty one, I was grateful that Wanda E Brunstetter stayed true to the times, but did so as nicely and respectfully as possible. I was engaged in the story from start to finish, and I was kept on the edge of my seat as cliffhanger after cliffhanger after cliffhanger happens from one chapter to the next. And I appreciated just how much growth is shown in the characters from their initial introduction until the conclusion of the story. I honestly don't think this book could have had a more appropriate title as courage is definitely the main character trait demonstrated throughout. Woman of Courage is a fantastic read on its own, and having the addition of the new epilogue, Woman of Hope, about Little Fawn was just the icing on the cake.

I'm once again blown away by Wanda's beautiful writing, her vivid settings, and her compassionate characters that come to feel like old friends by the end of the story. I will be recommending this title, and looking forward to more books from this author in the future.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Barbour Publishing, Shiloh Run Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to advance read this!


I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to give a positive review.

Determination, bravery, strength, trust and faith are shown in the story of adventures in the wilderness. The main character, a woman, must deal with many obstacles as she travels the roads of the forest, meeting unsavory characters and also, making new friends along the way. Interesting sequel is included in this copy. I received a copy of this book from the author and Net Galley. This is my honest personal opinion. No review was required.

Woman of Courage is definitely not what I was expecting! Wanda Brunstetter has written a wonderfully adventurous story of a young girl bringing God’s word to Native Americans in the 1800’s. During a hazardous 3000 mile journey Amanda Pearson encounters life changing situations that proves she is a Woman of Courage. But the story isn’t just about her. We meet several other courageous women. While Amanda’s plan is to “save” the Nez Perce’ she encounters others during her journey that strengthen her determination but also teach her God has a plan for her too. And it may not be what she thought it was! I think this might be my favorite Wanda Brunstetter book. Although I was exhausted the story kept me awake long after my bedtime. I couldn’t put it down!
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Netgalley.