What if you have waited to find love only to be rejected when it finally comes? Lenore Lapp is an Amish schoolteacher in her late twenties still living at home with her parents and grandparents. She thought love had passed her by until she meets Jesse Smucker, a widower with a baby daughter. She quickly falls in love with them both and accepts Jesse’s proposal of marriage, but Jesse breaks off … but Jesse breaks off their engagement when he realizes he can’t marry only for convenience.
Resigned to living single, Lenore throws herself into caring for her elders. While working in her grandmother’s garden, she digs up an old jar. Will Lenore find healing for her broken heart and solve long-buried family secrets by reading the note contained inside?
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The Healing Jar is the third book written by Wanda Brunstetter in her series The Prayer Jar. In this book we are taken back to Strasbourg, Pennsylvania and reacquainted with all the wonderful characters from the previous two books. This storyline is filled with deep emotions for several different reasons. The story moves along at a steady pace and definitely keeps the readers interest throughout the entire story. I enjoyed this story for many reasons and I am sure other readers will as well.
The characters continue to be the warm, caring, loving individuals. The faith they share constantly touches the readers. This story mainly revolves around Lenore and her story but we also get to catch up with Michelle, Sara, Mary Ruth and Willis. These characters are a wonderful mix and the author has done a superb job making them friends of her readers. This story is filled with love, loss, friendship, forgiveness, and second chances.
I was given the opportunity to read this book in advance of its release thanks to Netgalley and Wanda Brunstetter. I was not approached to post a favorable review in response. I have rated this book with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
Congratulations to Wanda Brunstetter for writing another outstanding book for her readers to enjoy. I will be anticipating more releases from the author in the future.
This is the third and final installment in the Prayer Jar series and a wonderful ending. Although, I love the characters so much I hope the author will consider another sequence later on. I really enjoyed getting to know each one, more in-depth with each story. Although wanting to get married and have children, Lenore Lapp has resigned herself to staying single and taking care of her aging grandparents. She even prays for God to remove the desire from her heart if it’s not to be. Besides teaching in an Amish school, she does chores to help her grandparents. Gardening, cooking, cleaning, and even doing some of the barn chores since her grandfather is not able due to his bad health.
Jesse Smucker has moved to the area with his six month old daughter, Cindy. He needs new surroundings after losing his wife in childbirth. The pain is still raw but he must push on for his daughter’s sake. He’s working in his uncle’s furniture shop and needs someone to watch his daughter. His wife’s elderly great aunt is watching Cindy at present but lives so far away and also has a full time job keeping her. He wants to ease her burden. When he meets Lenore he asks her if she would be willing to keep her, at least until school starts. So she agrees.
Little Cindy becomes very attached to Lenore and Lenore’s grandparents enjoy having her around. So what will happen when Lenore begins her teaching job once again?
Both the cousins, Lenore and Sara and Michelle the “adopted” granddaughter all have found and read notes and scriptures in the two “prayer” jars. They believe their grandmother must have written them. But when Lenore is weeding the garden she unearths another jar. All three girls go to the grandmother with the jars and she reveals a surprise none of them knew.
Such a great series that I throughly enjoyed and hated to see it end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
The Healing Jar by Wanda Brunstetter is the third book in the series it could be read as a stand alone but I recommend you read the entire series in order. This is a great series.
As with all of Brunstetter’s books, you feel as if you are in Amish country. The story flows with great characters and story lines.
You have family values, humor, romance, misunderstandings, everything you live day to day.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.
Everything we do has consequences. Often those consequences not only affect our lives but also those around us. In this story, characters Michelle, Sara and Lenore learn that hard lesson and that honesty is the best policy. Through their faith in God will they find hope, forgiveness, and peace? Each book in this series is stand-alone but I recommend you read all three.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and author. All opinions are my own.
A conclusion to The Prayer Jars trilogy, Wanda Brunstetter’s “The Healing Jar” neatly weaves together the characters and outcomes of the first two books while continuing and ultimately ending the saga. As such, it is best to read this series in order for a full understanding of the background and a richer reading experience. This is a good series for those who may be new to the Amish fiction genre because the Pennsylvania Dutch words are defined and described in context, but in such a way that it does not detract from the story. Amish customs are also explored. For instance, this book describes Amish funeral practices. Another interesting aspect of The Prayer Jars series is how it examines the relationships between Amish and English people who are from the same family and how they interact with one another.
Of the three books, this one was my favorite. Marketed as a romance, family drama also plays a leading role in “The Healing Jar.” This book is the most action-packed and emotional one in the series. Lenore Lapp is the main character, but Sara and Michelle also figure prominently. Brunstetter does a nice job of following each young woman’s life as the tale unfolds, intertwining them without disrupting the flow of the novel. The topic of marriage is a main focal point, and I appreciated that challenges and conflict are addressed rather than painting a rose-colored picture and leaving it at “happily ever after” because this made the story more true-to-life. This book has several surprises, and the suspense of how things would turn out continues to the last page. All three storylines conclude, and although I will miss the characters, I am glad that mysteries have been solved and secrets revealed. Following the story is a recipe for Philly pie and a set of discussion questions which are suitable for groups or individuals.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
The Healing Jar ( The Prayer Jars #3 )
By: Wanda E. Brunstetter
The Healing Jar is book three in The Prayer jars Series. I have really enjoyed this series. This story is filled with hurt , love, and forgiveness . I caught myself crying several times. Lenore is a school teacher and wants love, home, and a family of her own. Will she ever find the love she wants. Jesse is a widower with a very small child. He cannot get over his late wife to love again. Will he ever be able to love again. Will Lenore find the jars that the other two has found? Will they ever find out who wrote them ?
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing, but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
The long awaited conclusion to Wanda E. Brunstetter’s series, The Prayer Jars, is here! The Healing Jar is Lenore’s story. One day in the barn, she found the long hidden prayer jar, and found solace in the words tucked inside. The mystery of this jar and another, found on a shelf in the dark basement, piqued the interests first of Michelle, then Sara. Now Lenore sits in wonder at these words that seem to coincide with her own thoughts and feelings. At the discovery of a third jar, the mystery begins to unfold as the discovery of who started these jars hidden for so long.
Carefully written, complex lives of a seemingly simple world are upturned and will never be the same. It is just like me to start a new book late at night, and I found myself unable to put it down. I enjoy Wanda E. Brunstetter’s books for the way she makes her characters come to life. The Healing Jar is a fitting title for a book that touches the heart of this extended family. I laughed, cried and found wisdom in this book. I have a feeling that many a prayer jar will be started as more people read this wonderful series. I am sad to see this series end, but look forward to more books written by this beloved author.
The Healing Jar by much-loved author Wanda Brunstetter is the third and last book in her new series, The Prayer Jars. Readers will follow the characters from the first two books in the series, The Hope Jar and The Forgiving Jar. The author has given enough of the back story of the characters that one could read The Healing Jar as a stand-alone without getting lost and having a lot of questions. I loved the characters –strong, resilient, and realistic with depth to their emotions, strengths, and foibles that readers will connect well with. Mary Ruth, the grandmother of the story is such a vibrant character with lots of wisdom for the younger women in the book, even as she goes through difficult circumstances. The focus in this book is on Lenore, one of the granddaughters and her search for what God has for her life. When she finds the canning jars with notes of scripture and prayers When she finds the canning jars with notes of scripture and prayers (And just who did write those notes?) will that be the key to a change of heart for her? Is she meant to live her life as a teacher or will she ever find love and a family of her own? This final journey of the Lapp family is a captivating story that deals with finding love, navigating death, and the unfolding of the mysteries of the past. Readers who love Amish romance will not want to miss this sweet story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Lenore has moved in with her grandparents to help her grandparents Willis and Mary Ruth. She’s also preparing to start a new schoolyear as the teacher in their community. We see Ben and Sara, Ezekiel and Michelle as well as some other townspeople, including newcomer Jesse and his daughter Cindy. Healing is the topic of this book and deals with more than one person needing healing. Lovely story with likleable characters that grow close throughout the series. A very enjoyable series with this being the 3rd book.
A complimentary copy was provided by Barbour Publishing. No review was required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
THE HEALING JAR. Wanda Brunsetter
Lenore is wondering when love will come for her, with two of her friends now married. At her grandparents home, still loved being there, now seeing that they were in need of love and assurance, unable to tend to the farm.
She took a new teaching position this year, close by. In the barn, on a shelf, she noticed a canning jar that had papers inside. Michelle came in, and notice that Lenore had found her jar, It was when she was living there and pretending to be Sara, she wrote them. Sara knew about them also, and there were more jars with notes in them. They never asked about them to the grandmother for some were personal. Mishap outside the school yard and Lenore falls into an old well. Jesse happen to come by and noticed the children. He probably saved her life, and realized the love for her. A second chance at love if she would forgive him for what he had said before.
Beautiful story and series of a love for the older, and the new love that comes in God’s time. Given an ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
by Net Galley and Barbour .
I enjoyed this quick read, and loved that we are reunited and continue with the lives of the characters in the previous books, and conclude their stories.
This one is cousin Lenore, a young woman who care deeply for others, and especially her grandparents that she lives with and helps.
Throughout this story you wonder if Jesse will do right by Lenore, or will the new man in the community win her heart.
I loved how conclusions and updates were made in this story, surprises abound here, and most I didn’t see coming!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbout, and was not required to give a positive review.
What an enjoyable series this was to read! Why? Well, because for me the author does a great job of crafting a believable story dealing with issues people can relate to. I think it takes heart to write novels that draw readers into the scenes and lives of fictional players. Readers will cheer for some as they conquer hardships. Some will sigh when the plot goes in a different direction; however, personal faith is the utmost in the series!
Throughout the whole book, I kept cheering for Lenore Lapp to find a man who would love her and share her faith. It was interesting to see how the female lead was learning how to listen for God’s voice and then, with courage, obey Him. There is the continuing plot line of finding mason jars with strips of paper in them that have Scripture quotes or the writer’s thoughts and prayers, too.
Each novel in the series drew me into the book and grabbed my heart at the same time. I read books by authors who allow their characters to exhibit lifelike emotions, decisions that may or may not work out, all the while never elevating them to perfect status. My hope is that others will start with The Hope Jar, progress to The Forgiving Jar before devouring The Healing Jar! Then, share with others these stories that uplift and encourage as well as entertain for hours!
Good book, I enjoyed reading. This book is basically 3 stories in one. Lenore, Michelle, and Sara all trying to follow their hearts and what God would have them do. One longing to find her match, one trying to be happy in a new place, and one longing to find her biological father. Can the Healing Jar’s found at Grandma’s help hold the keys to finding their happiness? Grab a copy and find out. Good Job Wanda E Brunstetter.
This is the 3rd book in the series of the Prayer Jar. Like always I loved the story and was not disappointed. Must be the favorite of the three, maybe because of questions finally answered. Yet I found it too hard to put it down with each page turned there was always a surprise. This is the story of the granddaughter of our sweet friends Willis and Mary Ruth Lapp. Daughter of their son. And even though it had a sad part in the story which I hoped it would of had a different outcome, it was full of love, happy times and Faith in God. Within the pages we are following Lenore’s hard, sad moments, at which at times she too felt to give up but that’s when she hold harder to her Faith in God.
Reading the story of Lenore I found how strong she was, that when things were falling left and right, she found peace and serenity in Family and God. I also, enjoyed how Mrs Wanda mentioned characters from the two previous books and their lives but without overpowering Lenore’s story.
This story on my behalf was a great ending to the series and I found somewhat connect to these characters more. How if you keep having trust and Faith in God things always come out good. There is more to this story I would like to say but the words won’t do it justice. I enjoyed how it had it’s happily ever after even though at some point I thought it wasn’t going to be one. It’s one of these stories that you need to read it and you will enjoy it. Highly recommend it great addition to your collection.
The Healing Jar, by Wanda Brunstetter is the third book in the The Prayer Jar series. This book centers on Willis and Mary Ruth Lapp’s granddaughter, Lenore. An Amish schoolteacher, she has come to stay with Willis and Mary Ruth to help our around the house after Willis suffers a stroke. While other young women her age have married and are now raising families of their own, Lenore worries that she is well on her way to spinsterhood. That is, until she crosses paths with widower Jesse Schmucker, who is in desperate need of someone to watch his infant daughter while he works. Lenore volunteers to step in for the summer. It isn’t long before Lenore and Jesse are embarking on a courtship – but one of them doesn’t know that the romance is one-sided. The writer of the notes found in canning jars placed in the barn and basement of the Lapp property is still a mystery – at least for the time being — but these notes help many of the characters in this story deal with heartbreak and disappointments. Each person going through a difficult time finds a message that directly speaks to them, and helps in their healing. Throughout the book, at various times, these characters pray to God – something that readers who regularly pray may not think twice about. However, for those new to Christianity – or even those who have gone to church for years, but have no idea how to pray – these prayers offer a valuable example to follow. Couple that with the solid examples of living a Christian life, as well as the wise advice offered to those characters on how to rely on and trust in the Lord for guidance, and it is little wonder that this book leaves the reader feeling refreshed and uplifted. By the end of the book, many questions are answered and mysteries are solved, and, as the title of this book suggests, healing has taken place in many lives. All in all, a very satisfying read!
I received a copy of this book free of charge from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review of this book.
The final book in this series, I think it’s the best one. Author Wanda Brunstetter puts so much heart and emotion into this one that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Book 3, you could read it as a standalone but I would recommend reading the others.
The characters are well developed, and seemed as if they could be living in Lancaster County. I felt really bad for Lenore when her engagement with Jesse is broken, and it was hard to see Jesse struggling with the past.
I’ve loved the concept of the prayer jars throughout the series. Maybe I’ll start one myself. Regardless of whether I do or not, if you enjoy Amish fiction I highly recommend this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
A sweet story filled with love and hope. Each story in this series is filled with family and faith. I enjoy reading stories by Wanda E. Brunstetter. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.
The Healing Jar is the third and last book of the series and I’ve been so anxious to read it! I was not disappointed! The first book was about Michelle, the second was focused on Sara, and this one was the cousin, Lenore.
Lenore adores children and hopes to be married, have a family and take care of her husband and home. She hasn’t been courted yet and after she meets the new widower in town, Jesse and his infant daughter, Cindy, her spirits are lifted. She becomes attached to Cindy after taking care of her before she has to start teaching in the fall, and Cindy loves Lenore.
Jesse has a hard time since he loved his wife and misses her terribly. This is a difficult situation for Lenore. Jesse decides to propose to Lenore not out of love, but in name only. What will Lenore do?
There are two hidden jars that provided clues to a mystery and then a third jar is discovered that provides healing to some unanswered questions.
I loved this series. It demonstrates coping when life can throw a curve, testing faith, asking for help, love from family. As I was reading, I felt like I knew the characters and their emotions quite well. It was impossible to put this book down!
This book is so good, especially after reading the first two books even though it could be a stand alone.