The Christmas Secret

The Christmas Secret is a great short Christmas story. I enjoyed this little heartwarming historical.
5 stars.

This is a tender loving novella, there is one thing wrong with this novella - that it is a novella - that it isn't a novel.  It was too short. I loved the book - It was so touching and heart warming.  Elizabeth was to wed David on Christmas, but as life would happen Elizabeth found her mothers diary and read something that would cause her to run and leave a note for David - David goes after her - why did she leave - was it truly something in the diary or is it the marriage?  What happened = did they get married or was it for the best - let me tell you - nah - you have to get the book to find out what happened and what was in the diary and you will not believe what it was.  This is a loving, beautiful novella.

Overall good book! The characters were well developed and the plot was wonderful. I love Christmas stories and this one does not disappoint.

Love….Christmas….Christmas Eve Wedding!  A wonderful combination for the holidays!  A couple deeply in love and excited for their wedding until Elizabeth discovers her mother’s diary and information that leaves her believing that the wedding can’t take place.  The only way she can stand to “go on” is to leave the area.  Her fiancé, David is stunned at her disappearance and tries to find her.  Will he find her?  Is the information she found truly going to keep them from their life together?

This is a sweet Christmas novella that you will want to read in one sitting.  I enjoyed this book very much.  I received a copy of this from Netgalley for my honest opinion.

Wanda Brunstetter has done it again with The Christmas Secret.  This is a great book and if you love Christmas stories then you will love this book.  I will be adding this one to my home library and my Wanda Brunstetter collection.

Everyone loves Christmas stories so fans of Wanda Brunstetter will enjoy this novella. I'm not a fan of novellas since they are usually short and sweet. For a quick read during the holiday season, this book would be perfect.

I just loved The Christmas Secret! Elizabeth is planning to marry David on Christmas Eve but while cleaning up their future cabin she finds a journal with a secret in it. She is devastated by the secret and breaks up with David. She flees to her Grandparent's home. David learns of the secret and stops at nothing to prove the secret wrong. With God's help and direction, he is able to prove the secret wrong and then a Christmas miracle happens. This book puts you in the Christmas spirit and leaves you smiling!

This is a good quick read. Wanda E. Brunstetter always does a good job keeping your interest and developing her characters. If you enjoy reading Christmas time romance novellas you will enjoy this novella.

I was given an ARC copy of this novella from net galley for my honest opinion.

The Christmas Secret by Wanda E. Brunsetter is a short novella that I finished in one afternoon. The story is about the upcoming Christmas Eve wedding of Elizabeth Canning to David Steiner. Shortly prior to the wedding as Elizabeth is cleaning the cabin to be their home, she discovers an old diary that belonged to her mother’s estranged sister and makes a startling discovery that could effect her and David's future.

The Christmas secret did come as a surprise, but the story line was familiar. Being a novella, you do not have a lot of time to connect with the characters, but Wanda wrote the story in a way that leaves you hoping a Christmas miracle will occur. 

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing Company and Shiloh Run Press via NetGalley in return for my fair and honest review.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5
This is the theme of this gently told tale, set in 1880's Pennsylvania. A young woman is fixing up an old family cabin and discovers a secret in a forgotten diary that devastates her, making her break off her engagement. There is a mystery tucked into this Christmas romance, and until it is solved, hearts will be broken. I liked the reminder to trust the Lord, especially when circumstances don't make sense. David's determination to get to the bottom of it all is admirable too, as he proves his love for Elizabeth is true and honorable.
Readers looking for a tender, historical Christian romance will probably enjoy this novella. The recipes included at the end are a nice bonus too.
(It was previously published in 2011 as part of a collection in Log Cabin Christmas.)

(An e-book was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.)

A wonderful reminder of God's love and grace. Holding onto the truth is such a wonderful way to live daily. I am reminded that we can not run away from what God has planned for us

The Christmas Secret by Wanda Brunstetter is a sweet story just in time for the holidays. Elizabeth and David are eagerly awaiting their Christmas wedding when an aunt's old diary reveals a horrible secret. Both are devastated and left to wonder if they will ever love again. The story keeps one's interest with a few little twists to the plot and endearingcharacters. A lovely story with a wonderful message of the power of love and lessons of leaning on God's wisdom and strength. A fun bonus is the inclusion of several recipes for goodies mentioned in the book.
I received a copy of the book from NetGalley. A favorable review was not required and the opinions are my own.

I haven't read anything by Brunstetter in quite some time.  I found this novella absolutely delightful.  A touch of romance and a bit of mystery, surrounded by an old journal that reveals a past that changes Elizabeth's life woven together with a sound faith thread made for a nice story.  David's persistence in revealing the truth and tracking down Aunt Lovina showed his strong faith in the love between he and Elizabeth.  Elizabeth cared enough to spare David the hurt she thought he would feel if he knew the truth.  The focus was on the affect lies could have on others even long after they have been written.  Although somewhat predictable, this sweet cozy Christmas story is a nice short read for a quick read.  

FAVORITE QUOTE:
"When you meet the right man and fall in love, you won't care what color his hair and eyes are because real love isn't based on a person's looks"

**I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Shiloh Run Press to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

This 144 page novella by Wanda Brunstetter was the first book I have read by this author. I thought the story was interesting, and the author did an excellent of portraying how anguished the characters were when they felt they had encountered an insurmountable obstacle that standing  in the way of their wedding. I also liked how Wanda's descriptions helped me visualize the settings.

Since the book is so short, it doesn't take very long to read, so it would be a great book to enjoy if your Christmas season is as hectic as most peoples.

If you are looking for a quick Historical Christmas book to read you may enjoy The Christmas Secret by Wanda E. Brunstetter.

The more I read, the more I appreciate different types of writing styles. I love how some books take more thought to read and require focus, while there are other books that are easy to read and can just provide a good story and a relaxing evening. That’s how this book is.

I enjoyed this story, although short. I enjoyed the setting in Allentown, Pennsylvania, which is different from many other books I’ve read. Elizabeth is planning to marry David on Christmas Eve until she discovers a family secret.

When all seems to be going right and what should be a happy time, Elizabeth leaves town, while only leaving a letter for David behind. Now David is left with little answers and without a bride.

While the story is predictable, it was still enjoyable to read. I probably would have enjoyed this book to be a full length book, however there are many Christmas books that are shorter and this was still a good story.

Christmas Eve holds a special meaning for Elizabeth Canning as it is her birthday and she plans to make it even more special. It will an unforgotten moment. She and David are working to clean the little cabin they plan to make their first home. When she discovers some awful, terrible secret, she must leave. She won't tell David where she has run, but he is determined to find this beautiful lady. Will David be able to make this incredible Christmas surprise come to fruition? 

This book was very different from the books that Wanda as they have all been works of Amish. I love the Amish books, but this historical fiction was so well written that it made up for the fact that Wanda Brunstetter had strayed from her Amish genre. That's a bit of a joke. But I DO LOVE her Amish fiction! :) 

The Christmas Secret is set in 1880 and the town sounds simply enchanting in its simplicity. The little cabin they plan to live in for sentimental reasons intrigues others but many of them don't understand their decision. They know they could live in a more modern cabin. They plan to marry there as well even though her best friend, Helen, doesn't think it is a wise choice. Unfortunately for the happy couple, Elizabeth discovers her aunt's secret diary as she is cleaning the cabin and when she reads it, she finds a horrible, horrible truth that means she can never marry David. In her shock and grief, she hastily writes a letter to David to cancel their marriage and flees without even talking with him first. He is confused and upset and all he wants is to find her and bring her home for their wedding. He may never find her though and when he does, the secret may indeed end their chance of a lifetime of married bliss together. But David isn't giving up on this beautiful, wonderful young woman and God isn't giving up on either of them. If only Elizabeth would trust God to shape their future. 

This is the perfect time of year to spend time reading The Christmas Secret as we approach the Christmas holiday. Of course, any time of year is the right time to read books in my opinion, but I love to read Christmas books at this time of year. Wanda has tackled this historical fiction piece with as much style and grace as she does with her Amish works. The story has a shocking element that leads to a mystery for David as he searches to bring his bride-to-be home. I love a good shocking bit of a mystery when I read and I think that other readers will enjoy it too. 

I rated this book 5 stars and give it my highest recommendation. 

I received a copy of this book from the publishers and netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wanda Brunstetter's The Christmas Secret is a quick and heartwarming read!  There are still plot twists, intrigue, and plenty of drama, even though it does not require a lengthy amount of time to enjoy.  There is an upcoming wedding when the protagonists discovers a letter from long ago written by her aunt.  This letter claims that Elizabeth's  fiance is actually her sibling, so she calls off the wedding and flees the area.  Truth has to be uncovered, and courage is required to make the decisions of the heart.  This quaint story has a happy ending, and  Brunstetter keeps the reader's heart in her hand  until the very end.  There are also recipes in the back of the book.  This is my first read by Brunstetter, and I look forward to reading more of her tales in the future!

This was a delightful Christmas read full of twists and turns while ending up with a happily ever after. The initial idea of the story is nothing new but nevertheless the writing and storyline kept me guessing, teasing at at happily never after but ending up exactly where I wanted the characters to be. The story is short but packs a very big punch and teaches a lesson to trust in God despite how dire circumstances might be.

I highly recommend this book. 
5 stars

Elizabeth is beyond excited to marry the love of her life David. When she sets out to clean the homestead her grandparents built and her parents lived in and now she and David will live, she excited to keep the place that holds something dear to her. She however discovers something that could change everything about her life and her future but could also put shame on her family and Davids. So off she goes to figure out what is next. David tries to figure out what caused Elizabeth to run and he needs to get to the truth before he looses everything that means the world to him.
What a sweet love story. This book was short and sweet and a fun read. Its set in the 1800's but it feels like it very well could be set in any era. The characters were easy to connect with and easy to follow. The storyline was fun and such a great read. I highly recommend this book, totally worth the read.

The Christmas Secret by Wanda E. Brunstetter is a wonderful Christmas Novella to get the reader in the holiday/Christmas mood.This book is the perfect example of how a lie can have devastating consequences many years later. Beautiful story of how a God hears and answers our prayers. Don't miss this one, as you will not be disappointed. 

The Christmas Secret is set in 1880 and the town sounds simply enchanting in its simplicity. The little cabin they plan to live in for sentimental reasons intrigues others but many of them don't understand their decision. They know they could live in a more modern cabin. They plan to marry there as well even though her best friend, Helen, doesn't think it is a wise choice. Unfortunately for the happy couple, Elizabeth discovers her aunt's secret diary as she is cleaning the cabin and when she reads it, she finds a horrible, horrible truth that means she can never marry David. In her shock and grief, she hastily writes a letter to David to cancel their marriage and flees without even talking with him first. He is confused and upset and all he wants is to find her and bring her home for their wedding. He may never find her though and when he does, the secret may indeed end their chance of a lifetime of married bliss together. But David isn't giving up on this beautiful, wonderful young woman and God isn't giving up on either of them. If only Elizabeth would trust God to shape their future.


This is the perfect time of year to spend time reading The Christmas Secret as we approach the Christmas holiday. Of course, any time of year is the right time to read books in my opinion, but I love to read Christmas books at this time of year. Wanda has tackled this historical fiction piece with as much style and grace as she does with her Amish works. The story has a shocking element that leads to a mystery for David as he searches to bring his bride-to-be home. I love a good shocking bit of a mystery when I read and I think that other readers will enjoy it too.

I received this book from Barbour Publishing, Inc. and Shiloh Run Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very short, sweet novella about love at Christmas.  Elizabeth was engaged to marry David on Christmas Eve, her birthday.  She was excited about their life ahead and was preparing the small cabin they would soon live in when she discovered a terrible secret that would make it impossible for she and David to be together.  She was broken-hearted and left town with only a note explaining to David and her parents that she had learned something that made it impossible for she and David to marry.  Only her best friend, Helen, knew the secret and she had promised not to tell anyone.  Fortunately, she wasn't able to keep the secret and once David learned the secret, he was determined to win Elizabeth's love once again.  Would it be too late for them?  Would he be able to find Elizabeth in time?  You'll just have to read to find out.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Elizabeth and David are set to be married until Elizabeth stumbles across a family secret that sets their course a different way. As she struggles to face what life without David will look like, she finds herself miserable. Thankfully, David is determined to do what he can to make sure they can still spend the rest of their lives together. 
This sweet story is a quick read, perfect for Christmas time. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys Amish stories and romances.

Another great Amish Christmas story by Ms. Brunstetter. Great story, lovable characters!! Puts you in the Christmas spirit.

Should you ever read someone else's diary?
A short story about two people truly in love who have something come between them just before they're to be married. This is the story of how they both weather the problem and get through it, trusting in God. Christian Historical set in 1880 in Allentown PA. I can imagine this being an interesting story you'd tell when sitting around a fire on a wintery day.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Publisher and 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.

Let's just say I'm never disappointed in a Wanda book!! I love her books and I feel like I'm on an adventure with her stories.
She is truly a master storyteller that have you drawn into her books from beginning to end and still leaving you wanting for more.
I felt like these wonderful characters were my friends and I hated to say goodbye to them. 
But I will say this and I've said it before. It is never wise to keep secrets. Not even in an old journal for they will have a way of coming put in the wash So to speak.
Christmas is my favorite season of the year so I especially enjoyed this and if you're not in the Christmas spirit yet then this will definitely get you in the mood! 
If you're a fan of Wandas books then I strongly recommend this book. 
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book NO compensations were received and all opinions are my own.