A Castle of Sand

A Castle of Sand is the newest novel by Wanda Brunstetter. Brunstetter is a master of the Amish fiction genre, a genre that she established just by publishing her first book. It was a hit and other authors began writing these types of novels. This particular book is a stand-alone Amish romance that was published on October 1, 2026.

Synopsis 

Young widow Sharon Raber has been feeling hopeless. Still restless after a visit to her parents, she decides to retreat from Indiana to Sarasota, Florida, for some solitude in the sun. Finally drawn out of her grief by an older widow in the Pinecraft community, Sharon meets Peter Stutzman, who is helping his aunt make home repairs. Could a second chance at love be possible for Sharon, or will the courage needed to release her heart be too much for her. . .and Peter?

My Thoughts 

The Prologue was enchanting. Sharon and Mark haven't been married but a year but are still madly in love with each other as they were on their wedding day. The Prologue ends with Sharon learning that Mark has been involved in a traffic accident. I never expected Mark to die. It didn't seem possible that this great love could be over. It was shocking when I began reading the first chapter and discovered he had been dead for nine months. I was sorry to see the passionate story ending. 

The author usually writes about Amish romance that has a modern problem connected to it. In this novel she has written strictly a romance story. Since Brunstetter usually includes a modern dilemma in her plots I was a little disappointed in this story. That said, it was well written with interesting characters.

4 out of 5 stars.