Amish Cooking Class - The Celebration

The Celebration by Wanda Brunstetter is the third book in the series The Amish Cooking Class. Lyle and Heidi have taken in young siblings whose parents have passed away in a car accident. In hopes to increase the kids’ social circles, Heidi offers a cooking class to children.
The students are a little different in this book, two children whose parents are separated, a son of a single parent father, a daughter of a singe parent mom, and a young girl who is spoiled.
Heidi has to approach this class differently as she is not only teaching children to cook, but also providing support through her Bible verses to the families. It was great to see how Lyle and Heidi along with the other families assisted each other when in need.
It was great to see Kendra and baby Heidi back in the story along with the new marriage of friends.
As always, it is easy to root for Lyle and Heidi. I was very excited that they had found a family and was eager to see if they would be able to adopt. I hope there is a fourth book!
I received an advance reader copy of this book from netgalley in return for my honest opinion of the book.

I totally enjoyed this book. I liked how each family has problems. And how that each family grew by the end of the book. I loved the surprises that popped in the last chapters of the book. And the epilogue had a sweet surprise as well..
I do hope that there are more books by this author soon !!

A wonderful book about redemption and God’s grace. Wanda Brunstetter keeps the story flowing and draws the reader into the lives of the characters. Through Heidi’s cooking class for children, the lives of the children and their families are changed. The author draws the reader into the lives of the children, their families and the adversities that each family is facing and how God is at work through everything.

Amish Cooking Class- The Celebration by Wanda E. Brunstetter is another wonderful story of Amish ways and how they can peacefully interact with their English neighbors.
Heidi Troyer decides it is time for another cooking class and this time it will be for children. Her husband, Lyle, agrees that it will be good for their foster children to have more interaction with other children also. Her expectation is that the parents will drop their children off for classes but that does not happen. She has to work with the parents as much as the children and each family brings its own problems along. A new family next door is struggling financially and Lyle and Heidi look for ways to assist without them feeling like it is a handout. Will Heidi be able to touch the children with her Bible verses? Will the example set by her family help Heidi to be an inspiration to the families taking her class?
This is the next book in the series of cooking classes. It will not be necessary to read the previous books to understand the situation but I think you will want to as they are excellent stories and give more background information. I enjoyed this story also and at first it seemed the classes might be a disaster and there are many surprises as things begin to come together. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 of 5 stars. The characters draw you into their lives and become acquaintances and at times friends; Wanda Brunstetter has a gift for creating such characters in her writing. I have read most of Wanda’s books and am never disappointed. If you like a good, Christian based novel that will keep you engaged in the story this is it.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Celebration is a fabulous addition to Wanda Brunstetter’s The Amish Cooking Class series. This third installment of the series involves Heidi Troyer teaching yet another cooking class. Only this time she is teaching children. To her surprise, the children’s parents stay during the classes and their lives intertwine with one another. I enjoyed catching up with Heidi and her husband, Lyle, and excited that they are now foster parents to two beautiful children.

Like the other books in the series, the celebration is heartwarming, full of faith, and inspiration. I highly recommend it!

5+ stars

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100 percent my own honest opinion.

The third book in Wanda Brunstetter’s Amish Cooking Class series, this one finds Heidi and Lyle Troyer, who are unable to have their own children, now the foster parents to two young children who lost their parents in an accident.

This book could be read as a stand-alone book, however, characters from the previous books do show up in this book as they make visits to the Troyer’s home.

As the children adjust to their new home, Heidi decides it might help them to get to know other children in the area, so she decides to teach another cooking class, however, this one for children. As in the other two books of this series, the students all have very different personalities and issues in their lives at home. One child has lost a mother to cancer, another is a “spoiled brat” due to parents who have careers that they allow to take all their time, rather than spending time with their daughter, another only has a mother, due to the fact she was adopted by a single woman, another comes from a very poor home with many issues, and two siblings whose parents are separated. Not only do the children interact, but the parents as well. Many things are learned by all besides cooking. We see lives changed as they begin to learn to accept their differences and come together in several instances.

This is an excellent book that was one I couldn’t put down until I finished reading it. I highly recommend it for those who enjoy reading Amish genre books. I particularly enjoyed reading it as it takes place in Holmes County, Ohio. I live very close to there, visit very frequently and am very familiar with all the towns, restaurants, and sightseeing places mentioned in the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Loved this series my favorite from her. This A very heartwarming story tear Jerking moments but so very good as always Heidi was my favorite character. The cooking series was a excellent idea Wanda came up with..Wanda is a very talented author. On of my favorites was so grateful to have been approved of this book from NetGalley as I've been looking forward to it. I loved all the characters and the story line the cover was so pretty as well. Liked it was called the celebration.....hope you get your copy Feb 6th 2018. could not put it down. a must read. highly recommend you read the series from the start. Hope to see more in the future was happy with the ending good work Wanda!!!!

Third book in the cooking class series. Another enjoyable book. It picks up on Heidi and Lyle Troyer''s lives. They have taken in two foster children and Lyle suggests his wife has a cooking class for children. As she has a variety of students from a spoiled child to a adopted child. One who lost his mother and two children who's parents are separated. A neighbor who is down on her luck. The children all have a story and it is a book you can not put down. You want to find out about each of them and what the cooking class will bring into there lives. Good read and thank you Net galley for letting me review for a honest opinion.

Amazing does not convey the love I have for this final book in the series. I find my self sad that the series has ended. Humor and faith branch throughout the whole series. Heidi's character has the patience others would love to have and the faith too. The characters throughout the books all deal with their own problems and eventually work things out for themselves. Many disappointments and turmoil are weaved through each book but the last one seems to have more. It also shows us that loss can bring happiness and sometimes we need to be thankful for the things we have instead of demanding more.
Thank you Wanda for another great series. Look forward to reading more of your books.

The Celebration by much-loved author Wanda Brunstetter, continues her series, Amish Cooking Class. There is no disappointment here with this third story of Heidi Troyer and her cooking class! In this one, readers find Heidi a foster mom to two young children and deciding to gear her cooking class to children. Most weeks the parents end up staying for the class and the author keeps the reader's interest as these individuals and their children interact with and begin to share their lives with Heidi and each other. Heidi knows she needs to always be prepared for the unexpected. Some situations are a little predictable and yet there are some twists and turns to the plot that keep interest high. Although a sweet story, the author expertly touches on some heartbreaking subjects as she writes of single parenting, foster care, adoption and broken marriages. There is a little romance, a little tension with some of the relationships, and a little humor with some mishaps with dog and bird droppings. The Celebration is a charming story of people from different cultures and circumstances making new friendships, mending relationships, and finding faith. Included at the end of the book are the recipes made by the class each week.

I have really enjoyed this series and was anxious to get my hands on the third installment. When I read the blurb I was a bit concerned about how much I would like the story. The newest cooking class participants are kids and I wasn’t sure how this aspect would stay within the recipe Wanda has created for the series. No worries though because the story is just as well written and entertaining as the rest. And maybe, just maybe, this is my favorite of the series.

I love how Wanda takes everyday happenings and goings-on and puts them into her books. It makes the stories seem so real and authentic. Wanda has a way of drawing me into the story and keeping the pace just right to hold my interest. With so many characters in this book, there is a lot going on and that kept the story fresh and interesting.

As to the characters in the book, there are a lot. At first, I had a bit of trouble keeping track of which kids belonged to which parents. That is for all except Kassidy and her mom. Kassidy was such a brat that I had absolutely no trouble remembering her mom was Denise because I felt so sorry for her. While Kassidy was a character on the low end of the like spectrum I really enjoyed Velma. Nothing goes right for this poor woman and in a way she was the easiest to relate to. I liked the natural way a friendship formed between Velma and Heidi.

This was a really enjoyable read. If it were a dish I would classify it as a comfort food. It’s just a nice read about everyday people and their lives as they are all brought together by a cooking class. It is a nice conclusion to the series (I hope it’s not the end of the series but it sounds like it from the epilogue). This book can be read as a standalone though so even if you haven’t read the other two grab a drink, find a cozy spot, and enjoy this book!

I received a free copy from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

Another great book in the Amish Cooking Class series. This is a very enjoyable book with very relatable characters and circumstances. I love the way total strangers come together for a purpose and always learn far more than they could have imagined. The Amish are so practical and rely heavily on their faith. Heidi is a wonderful character that dishes out more than just cooking lessons. The recipes are an added bonus! Highly recommended!

I have been reading Wanda Brunstetter books since she has begun writing and have loved ALL of them. What can I expect when I read one of her books? The best quality,fun and entertaining books and with faith elements that are not pushed on us but gently blended into the book. I always feel great when I read one of her books! This is the third book in the Amish Cooking Class series and Heidi and Lyle Troyer are the main focus of the books. In the two previous books Heidi has offered cooking classes to adult students out of her home. This book has her offering cooking classes to children to acclimate the orphaned children she and her husband have taken into their home,a brother and sister whose parents were killed in an auto accident. I loved following along with the side stories given on each of the children and their parents lives taking the classes. Mistakes,mistakes,mistakes, we all make them sometimes over and over again but with God's grace and forgiveness we move on and learn from them and become better and more productive people! Beautiful forgiveness and healing here. Child friendly recipes included you'll love making with your children and grandchildren too.
Pub Date 01 Feb 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

As soon as I saw that the third book in the Amish Cooking Class would be for kids, my first thought was, "Heidi is one brave lady"! I couldn't wait to see how she would manage teaching children of different ages how to cook.
The first class got off to a rocky start with kids not wanting to be there, shy kids and a bratty kid. Oh, that smart mouthed, spoiled, bratty kid was too much and I confess to laughing at her mishaps.
The parents were dealing with some pretty difficult situations in their lives. There is a widower with his son, a single mother with her adopted daughter, a couple that have separated with two kids, a couple with one daughter and a later addition of a young girl from a less fortunate family.
I don't normally have a favorite character in this series other than Heidi and Lyle, but in this book, Velma won my heart. New to the area, she and her family have very little and she wants to give her daughter the opportunity to make new friends. I loved that Heidi gave her that opportunity and I respected Velma's drive and determination to work hard as payment towards the class.
I can always count on Wanda to write books from the heart, but this one went beyond my expectations. I never expected to care about all of the characters as much as I did and I will miss them.
I recommend the whole series even though this can be read as a stand alone. Remember to check out Heidi's recipes at the end of the book.
I received a free copy from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.

We return with author Wanda E. Brunstetter and again visit Holmes County Ohio and our friends Lyle and Heidi Troyer, and we are again taking cooking classes, only this time they are geared to children.
Wonderful life lessons again take place along with the cooking, and we get to meet a whole new set of folks, but a few of our past friends stop in for visits. We learn not to judge people, and hope we can carry what we learn over into our everyday life.
We have some very spoiled children, some grieving parents and children, some marriages on the verge of collapse, and other problems that are met head on. Will everything work out in the end, and will the Troyers be able to finally have the family they have been craving.
A wonderful conclusion to this trilogy, and you don’t want to miss the interactions, and hope that they will add God to their lives and let Him work with them.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour and was not required to give a positive review.

I have read all of this series so far. I love visiting with Heidi and her students. Heidi and her husband are not able to have children. They have foster custody of Marsha and Randy, an orphaned brother and sister. Heidi wants to help them adjust to their new life so she decides to host a cooking class for just children. As with her other classes, each student came with their own life problems. However, included in this story, was the problems that their parents are facing as well. While I enjoyed the other books, I have to say that this one was my favorite. I love how the characters of the children were developed and their problems and thoughts not minimized for those of their parents. The addition of the recipes in back are always a nice part. I received a copy through Netgalley. The review is strictly done for my own enjoyment.

Oh, how I enjoyed being back in Heidi Troyer’s warm, inviting kitchen as she begins another cooking class, this one different than past classes. The warmth of friendship and love found in the Troyer home and the Walnut Creek area is a gift. Gentle, uplifting conversations, real-world challenges and disappointments, and wisdom gained through heartache allow Heidi and her beloved husband, Lyle, make this a read that I have looked forward to. This is third in the Amish Cooking Class series, and it can be read as a standalone. The first page invited me into the novel, and I was happy to stay there throughout.

Heidi and Lyle have had foster children Randy and Marsha for several months since their parents died in an accident, and would like to adopt them. Randy is 6, and protective of his 3-year-old sister Marsha, who rarely speaks unless spoken to. When they discuss how best to help the children, Lyle suggests that it is time for a new cooking class, this time for children, so Randy and Marsha might benefit from interacting with other children.

This group of students certainly gives Heidi something to think about! The children’s behaviors are … different … as are some of the parents. Enter Jeremy, whose mom died two years ago; one of the girls claims he kicks her under the table. Kevin and Debbie’s mom sent their dad packing a few weeks ago and nothing is the same. They are interested in the farm animals and chickens. Kassidy is one of the oldest, and the wealth of her family gives her a real ‘tude. She talks back to or tries to pick fights with everyone. Becky learns a huge secret that will change her life. She has a helicopter mom, who did everything for her in the first class. This is the most challenging group to date! It is a relief to Heidi when she sees a couple of her former students who are now friends.

When Heidi meets their new neighbors, she wants to help them. Young Peggy is very clingy, which is hard for her mom, Velma. Velma’s husband Hank is a truck driver, away for days at a time. Their oldest son left home at 18 and never looked back; their 17-year-old daughter just left with her boyfriend. Velma’s heart is broken, but she is willing to do any kind of chore in exchange for Peggy to take cooking lessons.

Some of the class interactions aren’t pretty, but peace-loving Heidi is lovingly firm with those who misbehave. The author has a gift for including a variety of personalities and walking in their moccasins while portraying them! She puts an eclectic mix into Heidi’s kitchen and brings something new to each one.

One thing I enjoyed was seeing Heidi visiting students from her prior classes, showing how friendship transcends the business. There are interesting twists that occur within each family. There are so many balls in the air, so to speak, that it is amazing to see how the author catches each one perfectly without missing a child. Heidi plumbs a well of compassion and kindness that is a direct result of her relationship with the Lord. I also enjoyed seeing the effect her gentle surprises on the recipe cards had on the students and/or parents. There are surprises throughout; no reader wants to miss the Celebration at the end. I highly recommend The Celebration, as well as the earlier two novels. This is a must-read series!

From a grateful heart: I received a copy of this from the publisher and NetGalley, and here is my honest review.

Once again we join Heidi Troyer's cooking class in Ohio. This time she is teaching kids how to make simple dishes such as fruit salad, egg salad and mini corn dogs. Heidi has just an interesting group with her kids and she has had with her adult students in the past. One student has lost his mom to cancer, one is a spoiled brat, and one is learning how to fit in the area after moving from Kentucky. That is just a few of the students. All the way Heidi and Lyle are navigating the channels to adopt their two foster children, Randy and Marsha. Pull up a chair and join Heidi and her class as yummy recipes teach more than just filling up bellies.

Anytime I need a warm hug from a book, I turn to Wanda Brunstetter. You will feel the love and warmth the minute you open the book. Wanda's Amish Cooking Class series has been a true joy to read. I honestly cannot pick a favorite of the three as whatever one I am reading at the time is my favorite.

I have come to love Heidi and Lyle. I want to move and be their neighbors. I would be over at Heidi's house as much as she allowed to soak up her recipes and friendship. Of all the Amish novels I have read she is the most comforting and friendly character. I hope to see more of her in future books of Wanda's.

For those interested in reading the series, they are as follows in order:

1. The Amish Cooking Class: The Seekers
2. The Amish Cooking Class: The Blessing
3. The Amish Cooking Class: The Celebration

Thank you to NetGalley and Shiloh Run Press for a copy to read in exchange for my honest review in my own words.

Lyle and Heidi are back in the third book of this series, and this book will not disappoint. They are no disappoints only fun. As they embarrass raising there foster children they decide that maybe a kids cooking class will help open the hearts and some of the shyness the kids are experiencing. The class starts off being a handle full but just like in the other books Heidi has a heart to serve and help those who God brings to her. This book really doesn't disappoint at all in sucking you in and keeping you interested from page 1 to the end. I really enjoyed how this book really centered on healing and forgiveness and finding hope when all seems loss, I mean we all need that reminder once and a while right. This book shows that no matter what walk of Faith you're in you are going to face something. I am guessing this is the last book in the series and I am sad to see it end it was so fun to catch up with others from the first 2 books and to see what was happening in there lives. This book is a good clean read and I would say suitable for almost all ages. So worth it you won't regret it

We go back to Walnut Creek, Ohio to the home of Lyle and Heidi Troyer in this third and final series by Wanda Brunstetter. I enjoyed each of the Amish Cooking classes penned by this fantastic author of Amish fiction! I especially loved getting to know the continuing story of a couple who I’ve fallen in love with. All the struggles they’ve had over the years trying to conceive children, to Heidi finding new life in hosting cooking classes in her home, to them taking in two children to care for. It seems it’s given them a new lease on life and a new purpose to each of them!

This installment brings the idea to Heidi to hold cooking classes geared for children. It seems the Lord has opened up a new door in her heart through it! It not only touches her life but those of the children and parents who tag along. I once again enjoyed getting to know new characters and how they brought their own personalities and quirks to the table…literally! Forgiveness and healing are topics you will find the author covering in this one and moving on from past mistakes. I loved seeing the character growth in each one and the yummy recipes she shared in the book and repeated in the back to copy and try at my own house. A deep and abiding faith is what you will find in Heidi and I loved how it played out in every aspect of her life. The love between her and Lyle is palpitate and relatable. Also the love they have for the Lord and want His guidance in their everyday lives. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this series! I hated to see it end, but am grateful I was able to read it and learn my own lessons in life. And new recipes to try to boot!

* I received a complimentary copy from Barbour publishing and Netgalley, but no favorable review was required. This is my own personal opinion of the book. *

Amish Cooking Class – The Celebration by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the third book in this Amish series. Lyle and Heidi Troyer are enjoying being foster parents to Marsha and Randy. The two children lost their parents in an auto accident and have been living with the Troyer’s for the last four months. Marsha is starting to talk, but Randy still refuses to obey Heidi at times. Lyle suggests that Heidi hold cooking classes for children. It will give the kids a chance to socialize with other children. Heidi quickly learns that teaching children is very different from adults. Anything can and will happen especially when children are present. Heidi has a diverse group in her latest cooking class. Miranda Cooper is estranged from her husband which leaves her managing their two children on her own. Her husband, Trent wants to return home and hopes Miranda will forgive him for his transgression. Darren Keller is a widower whose son loves cookies. The cooking classes will teach the boy cooking and keep him occupied. Denise McGuire might as well be raising her daughter on her own. Her husband is busy with work and Kassidy is getting out of control. Ellen Blackburn is a single mother. Her daughter, Becky is very shy, and Ellen hopes the class will help the child come out of her shell. Velma Kimball and her family have moved in down the street. Velma would like her daughter, Peggy Ann to attend the class. Due to lack of funds, though, she cannot afford it and hopes to work out a trade with Heidi. With God’s help, Heidi will make it through the six weeks of classes and hopefully help each of these families.

Amish Cooking Class – The Celebration can be read alone, but I highly recommend reading the first two books in this lovely, heartwarming series. I found the book to be well-written and to have a nice pace. I was immediately drawn into the story and I did not want to stop reading. I stayed up very late to finish this marvelous book. Heidi is such a sweet woman with a big heart. The author created characters that are very real. They have problems in their lives that readers can relate to. The scripture provided on the back of the recipe cards plus the behavior they witness in the Troyer home guides each of them. They begin to question their lives and make changes. Some of the themes present in Amish Cooking Class – The Celebration are forgiveness, grace, love, friendship, prayer, trusting God, family, helping others and learning from our mistakes. We all make mistakes (sometimes the same one over and over). The trick is to learn from them. Amish Cooking Class – The Celebration is my favorite book in the series. I enjoyed reading each of them, but this one is special. The children added another element to the story. Your heart will go out to the families especially the Kimball’s. This is one of those books that will tug at your heartstrings as well as provide you with moments of laughter. The ending was delightful. Ms. Brunstetter did a fabulous job of wrapping up the various storylines and providing readers with a joyous conclusion. Fans of Wanda E. Brunstetter and Amish fiction will be delighted with Amish Cooking Class – The Celebration.

I was a little leery when I sat down to read this book over my weekend. I’ve talked to a few readers who struggled with the book. Mainly the sheer number of characters but a few other smaller things as well. If you have ever read one of my reviews you know that if you give me more than one character I tend to get confused. Heck sometimes one is too much unless they are named Janet (shhh, don’t tell anyone my real name m’kay?). As a rule sitting down to read Wanda is relaxing. Her simpler writing style with uplifting messages of love and hope are perfect when things are weighing. A book I can get lost into for an hour or two. I was nervous starting this one after some, not all, of the feedback I’d heard.

I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, there are a load of characters. I am hesitant to say boat load and be cliche but it’s legitimately true. Surprisingly enough I struggled less with tracking and following this literal boat load of characters than I did in previous books. Perhaps because so many were children, perhaps because the issues that arose were on different spectrums. I don’t know why really. No keep in mind keeping track of who is who is totally different than remembering which name went with which situation. Names, yup the still escape me for the most part. There were a couple of things that popped up for me though that I hadn’t heard about from other readers. Perhaps I just became caught up in worry over numbers. There were a few story sequencing issues that I came across. Like Lyle thinking about painting the kids rooms to make them feel more welcome and then almost immediately Heidi telling the kids their rooms were done being painted. Or Velma coming into the cooking class and Ellen not recognizing her from the car crash that she stopped to help at.

With the volume of characters there was an equal volume of issues to work through. While I do love the simpler, sweeter writing style of Wanda I feel like there were a lot of tough issues that were brought up but not enough opportunity to address them fully. Some things feel too neatly resolved (Kassidy and her family come to mind). Some things had neat little bows wrapped around them (if you don’t remember how I feel about those – it’s not positive). While I appreciate a happy ending and book titled ‘Celebration’ should have reason to celebrate I’m not a fan of neat endings leaving nothing to tie up.

All that said, I did enjoy this book. Not as much as the first two but it was still a great weekend read. Wanda has a style that just calms the pace of life. You won’t find a lot of drama, even the drama has smooth edges. You won’t find a lot of tension. You won’t find a race to an ending. You will find positive conclusions of a story filled with faith and love. Love for others (not necessarily romance people) and love for God.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing, 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.

Wanda Brunstetter's popular Amish Cooking Class series readers can now enjoy Amish Cooking Class The Celebration.


publishers notes.....


Return to Holmes County, Ohio, for Amish style cooking class.

Lyle and Heidi Troyer have taken in a brother and sister, who were orphaned when their parents were killed in a car accident. Hoping to help the children adapt and make friends, Heidi decides to hold a series of cooking classes for kids. But kids are always accompanied by an adult—and that is where the trouble arises.



Miranda Cooper is living the life of a single mom to her two kids while separated from her husband, but Trent is trying to worm his way back into her heart.



Denise McGuire’s life as a wife, mom, and real estate broker is full and spilling over.



Darren Keller, single dad and firefighter, and Ellen Blackburn, single mom and nurse, find a few things in common.



Will hearts be healed over plates of Amish food?


my thoughts....



I have enjoyed this series. Wanda Brunstetter has brought Heidi Troyer to life between the pages of these books. Heidi is the woman you want to sit down with a cup of coffee and share your heart. She is unselfish and possesses that quiet patience that you wish you could tap into. She has plenty of her own burdens yet seems to accept those she doesn't understand. Her faith is strong and after she writes out the recipes for her cooking classes she prayerfully writes a verse of scripture on the back of each card. As she does so, she prays that the verse will touch someone in her class.


Heidi and her husband Lyle are foster parents to Marsha and Randy, who lost their parents in an accident. They come to realize that the love they have for the children is as trues as if they were their own flesh and blood. As they seek adoption, the cooking class begins and with the new students, it brings people together as only Heidi Troyer can. Each student brings not only their own special needs but those of the parents who can't seem to just drop off their kids to learn on their own. Heidi's quiet ways have a ripple effect beyond her kitchen.



Wanda Brunstetter has a knack for writing about human nature. This book captures the importance of family, no matter what it looks like. From the darkest of times many blessings can come and families can become stronger. In our world, it is a blessing to see how faith can change people who may otherwise have been overlooked and unloved. I heartily recommend Amish Cooking Class - The Celebration, a truly heartwarming story.

The Amish Cooking Class books are just adorable I love the emotion that has went in to each and every character.Every time I read one I want to make some Amish food and pray more then ever before. This one was emotional yet brought such joy to my heart! Great weekend read! I cant wait for the next one!

Get ready to travel back to Hedi Troyer's home as she prepares for another Amish cooking class, this time with a group of reluctant children. From being the location of the cooking class and having doggie doo-doo wiped on her porch to real-life situations and struggles faced by the families, this story took me on a journey more profound than a cooking class.

One of the unique aspects of this series is the number of characters readers get to meet in one story. In this book, we have the children and their parents, along with Lyle and Heidi Troyer, and a couple of characters from past books. I imagine this could have been challenging to keep straight for Brunstetter, but as a reader, I felt she did a fantastic job with the characters!

Through the cooking classes, we were able to see how Heidi relies on her faith and trust in God to help others, even in ways she doesn’t know. Heidi continues writing scripture verses on the recipe cards she gives to her students, and we see how these verses impact the lives of her students.

I enjoyed this story, particularly the concept of Heidi teaching a group of children how to cook. Many of the children didn’t want to attend the classes, which presented a challenge for their parents and Heidi. Wanda did an excellent job of bringing the story to life by creating real-life situations from a complaining child to family issues, which made the story believable.

I loved the way Wanda took me on a journey with the characters. I felt like I was in the story and getting to know each of the characters. When there are so many characters in a book, I think it can become easy to get lost, but I didn’t feel that way with this book. Each of the characters became real and had unique challenges to overcome.

I enjoyed this series. When the first book came out, I remember wondering if I would like this series, but Brunstetter proved her talent for writing engaging stories with relatable characters.

This is book three in the Amish Cooking Class series. Heidi is an Amish woman who decides to having a cooking class. Although this time it's for children, there are 5 children that sign up for the cooking class. I enjoyed reading this book very much. There were times I was laughing and than other times getting teary eyed. All the children that come to her class come with there own problems. Will this classes help them? Will there be something good to come out of these classes, for the children and their parents? I recommend this book to others. You are going to love it just as much as I did.

This book was provided to me by Net Galley and Barbour Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. All options are my own.

Wanda Brunstetter always writes authentic Amish fiction. She is very familiar with the Amish faith and community and it shows in her writing. Reading about the cooking and recipes used by the Amish make this a very special book. Heidi and Lyle are highly sensitive to others and they highly invest in the lives of their community, even Englishers. Heidi finds a unique way to help the children that she and Lyle are fostering. Will it satisfy her desperate need to have a baby to care for the brother and sister, and teach a group of children to cook?
I am assigning a 5 ***** star rating to this 3rd novel in the Amish Cooking Class series. I've really enjoyed reading all three books. It could be read as a stand-alone, but it helps to know the characters who carry over to the series.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley and Shiloh Run Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Here we go again. We are off to see Heidi and Lyle Troyer’s and their next adventure of cooking classes in the Amish Cooking Class: The Celebration by Wanda E Brunstetter.

Since we last saw the Troyer’s, they have welcomed in two foster children, Randy and Marsha, who have lost their parents in a tragic car accident. Both children are devastated with their lost, but feel safe at the Troyer’s. As long as the children, accept their new way of life and Heidi and Lyle, they may be adopted into their family. 🙂 Only time will tell how the children will adapt. In the mean time, Heidi feels that it would help the children if they had some interaction with some other kids in the area. This leads Heidi to open her doors once again to a cooking class. However, this time it is for children.

When Heidi begins her next round of cooking classes, not only do the children attend, but also their parents. We have Debbie and Kevin, who are the tiniest children next to to Heidi’s and whose mom is Miranda; Kassidy, who is the official class brat and her mother is Denise. Then we have two single parents, Ellen and Darren. Darren is a widower and he and his son, Jeremy are struggling with the lost of their wife and mother. And Becky is Ellen’s daughter. 🙂 Later on, we will meet the Troyer’s new neighbor, Velma, and her two younger children Peggy Ann and Eddie.

Each parent is struggling with ‘grown up’ issues; death, marriage separations, other marital issues, and family issues, etc. Through Heidi’s cooking classes and the precious verses she leaves on the back of the recipe cards, these help and speak to each individual differently, but give them much needed guidance in their current lives.

Will each parent receive the answers they need? Will they come to God for the answers? Will Heidi be able to keep these children that she dearly loves as her own? Well…. you just will have to grab a copy for yourself. If I continue, I may spoil this final installment of the Amish Cooking Class Series .

Wanda Brunstetter’s many fans will love this latest addition to “The Amish Cooking Class” series. She introduced quite a few characters at the beginning of the book, but still managed to make me care about all of them. Each family represented at the cooking class has their own struggles, but I could follow each storyline clearly as the cooking classes progressed. Wanda Brunstetter’s books are always filled with faith, hope, and love, and that’s the reason I think we love them so much. The recipes included are great, too!

I’d recommend this book for a day when you need light, encouraging fiction. As always, I’m looking forward to her next book.

Amish Cooking Class-Celebration Is a book of such overwhelming I'm ending, over powering love of a parent's love for a child - including the father's love for us. Now, does that parent have to be biological to love us with such a love of a parent? Noooooooo. This is the case in this book. It brings you on a ride with all the characters and that is just what they are, characters. Two are single moms, one is a single dad, one is of mom. Each and every one of them have twists in turns in their lives going on; for some it is good and some maybe not including the Troyer's who are trying to adopt the brother and sister who are orphans. Through it all GOD is in control, Amen?

This series continues in the Amish Cookies classes offered by Heidi. She decides this time to offer them to children in order to get her two foster children more engaged with other area kids. There are many stories behind the home lives of each of the children. We have a single, widowed dad. There's the spoiled daughter of two successful professionals. There's the dedicated, and always worried about money/expenses mom with two great sounding kids and one wayward teen. We meet the separated parents and their two children. Plus, we have the daughter/mom pair struggling with the new adoption revelation. The story seems intended to appeal to a variety of family structures so that all readers can see the normalness of so many different backgrounds.

I have read all of the books in this series and they are all based on an Amish Woman who offers to teach a cooking class in her home for anyone that is interested and they don’t have to be Amish to sign up and attend. My girls and I enjoyed this book together. It is a simple story. There were many outside stories but they were brought together by one main theme. Many testimonies of faith in Jesus were present. A great example of how they all helped each other through their ups and downs and in their journey to become more like Christ.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.