Great purchase, came extremely fast. Would buy from seller again. Wonderful condition and transaction.

Dear to Me is another wonderful book by Wanda Brunstetter. This book is the story of Melinda who is trying to decide whether or not to leave the Amish faith to become a vet. She has a hard time deciding because her boyfriend Gabe doesn't want to leave the faith. Their relationship becomes tense as they struggle with the decisions that must be made.

Dear to Me was a very easy book to read. As with all of Ms. Brunstetter's works the characters seem real and easy to believe. There is none of the woman meets man, they despise each other, and then fall madly in love storylines. This book is about two people who care about each other but want different things. How often is this true in real relationships?

I love the fact when I pick up a Wanda Brunstetter book I can leave my fast-paced life behind and enjoy a few hours in the more laid back Amish community. Amish life, while it has it's ups and downs, seems much more peaceful than our English lives. This book is worth the few hours it will take to read. Grab a cool drink and head to a sunny spot to enjoy the wonderful Dear to Me!

Such a good book and excellent reading. Lots or meaning. Enjoy reading about the Amish.

I have really begun to dislike books by this author because they have become trite and predictable. The same conflicts are spoken about over and over and over again until it is very tiresome. Then, of course, in the last chapter everything turns out rosy. I really don't recommend this book or others by this author to anyone.

What beautiful stories from the Amish country. You can put yourself right in the area.

Too often we are inundated with romance novels filled with images that leave us to blush. Brunstetter allows us to see into the heart of both Gabe and Melinda; feeling their deepest desires while staying pure. When Melinda's dreams threaten to take her from not only the man she loves, but also from her faith and her community, she must learn to rely on prayer, faith, and hope to help her decide. Also on Melinda's side is her beloved, Gabe. While he doesn't understand why she isn't content to become an Amish wife and mother, he loves Melinda enough to not give up. Brunstetter's characters are strong and realistic. She gives them multiple dimensions that make the reader want to keep reading.

I love Wanda E. Brunstetter. I have read most of her books. This is not her best, but she has set the bar so high with her others. I think one reason that I do not rate this as her best is that I really did not like Gabe.
Gabe is Melinda's boyfriend and possible future husband. Melinda wants to flee from the Amish life in order to be a vet. Gabe does not want to leave his family and church. I really did not know how this would end. It kept me guessing. I respected Melinda's family. Her brother was adorable.
This is part of the Brides of Webster County series. Definitely read all of this series, especially On Her Own.

As always Wanda Brunstetter did a great job on this book. Melinda had to decided if she wanted to go back to the English world so that she could become a vet or stay in the Plain world and marry Gabe. Melinda & Gabe grew alot both individually and together while trying to find out what was most important to make Melinda happy for the rest of her life. It was a very hard decision because if she chose the English world she would have to be shunned by her family. If she stayed in the Plain world she may never be truly happy.

I can't wait for Wanda's next book to be released.

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (4/08)

When faced with a major decision and desiring for God's will in your life, don't you wish that the correct decision would come to you like a bolt of lightning? Melinda Andrews has everything that a young Amish girl would want. She has been baptized in the Amish faith, and is being courted by her longtime good friend, Gabe Swartz. She has learned all she has to learn in order to be an Amish wife and mother. That is all that young Amish girls are supposed to be able to do with their life anyway.

Melinda has a job working with the local veterinarian. She is able to put her love of caring for animals into action and make additional income for her family until she and Gabe are ready to be married. Everyone in Webster County realizes that Melinda has a heart for wounded animals. She often has injured animals delivered to her farm for medical attention. She is also known to bring animals (tame and wild ones) home from the veterinary clinic for personalized attention. Her parents and brother do not understand her caring spirit and why she is so fascinated with caring for animals rather than attending to her family's needs as expected.

Gabe sees her caring spirit as a valuable trait as it means she will be an excellent mother to their children. The vet, Dr Franklin, sees additional traits in Melinda that would make her an excellent vet assistant or even a veterinarian. But she will need additional education which is contrary to Amish beliefs.

Melinda is so focused on her dream of becoming a vet becoming a reality. She insists that if Gabe really does love her he will follow her into the English world. Being outside the Old Order Amish world is not foreign to young Melinda as she lived her first six years in Branson, Missouri while her mother was chasing stardom. Why is Gabe being so stubborn, doesn't he love her at all? Does loving someone require you to give up all your hopes, dreams and all that you have ever known? What will it take for Melinda to realize what God's plan is for her life?

Wanda Brunstetter is a wonderful storyteller. She uses her experience in visiting Amish settlements throughout the United States to add realism to her stories. "Dear to Me" is the third book in her "The Brides of Webster County" series. "Dear to Me" will have you seeing what is really dear to Melinda's heart and how God can work in your hearts and show how you can utilize your talents to His glory!

I love reading Wanda Brunstetters books. She takes me to a place unlike my "English" world. She always has a lesson to be learned. In this book, I feel that we learn about surrendering to God's Will. Melinda loves animals and would like to be a vet, but that would mean leaving Gabe behind. What should she do??

Wanda Brunstetter has done it again. She has given us insight into the Amish world. I really like this author and this book is another well written novel. Melinda loves animals and cares for them so deeply that Gabe thinks she loves her animals more than him. Gabe likes to hunt and does so as a way to provide for his family but Melinda wants him to give up hunting. I won't tell you what happens but I will tell you that you will feel like you are actually there in Melinda and Gabe's world. This is one book that I had a very hard time putting down. Buy it you won't be disappointed.

This is a lovely book. A young Amish girl must choose between her natural ability to care for animals and become a vet in the English world and staying with the Amish life and people she loves.The author does an excellent job of painting Amish life and priorities.A story of a kind and gentle people vs. today`s challenges.

This book is a good read and shows how Melinda and Gabe grow up and learn to make choices influenced by putting God first and then others and then finally themselves. They start out by thinking only of thier own wishes, they learn a lot and mature through many exciting events.
The characters are so real, you feel like you are right there in Websster County with them.

Another great Job Wanda, keep them coming :)